Author: The Nation

Margret Riverson Essien, popularly known as Grety Riverson is quietly but adroitly building her company, Grerivian Cosmetics into a brand to reckon with in the beauty industry in Nigeria and the United States of America.

In a little over a year of operation, Grety Riverson has weaved the company into a web-work of unique products and services that have taken them above others in the trade.

Grety Riverson started Grerivian Cosmetics in 2016 to express her passion and love for skincare. According to her, she created the company out of the need to create a sustainable cosmetics brand that would help to build confidence in women and men.

Seeing the need of many women and men to look beautiful, Margret Riverson Essien, filled that gap by fulfilling the needs of so many. For her it became a mission, a mission that turned into a burning desire. So, she plunged herself into building Grerivian Cosmetics into a world class beauty brand. Grerivian Cosmetics is a luxury skincare brand. It started in 2016 with products like the multivitamin bathing soap, pink lips cream, knuckle eraser, pure whitening cream and more. The Grerivian brand started from Lagos, Nigeria and moved to Houston, Texas, USA in late 2017.

“Grerivian Cosmetics is becoming a leading international brand with varieties of products to suit different shades and skin tones. The company is dedicated to providing the best quality products and services. Happy customers is our number one goal! Our motto still remains “Glow With Pride”. ” says the Chief Executive Officer, Margret Riverson Essien popularly known as Grety Riverson.

Apart from being the CEO of Grerivian Cosmetics, Grety Riverson, who is based in Houston, Texas is also a certified beautician, YouTuber and a brand influencer.

Margret Riverson Essien started the Grerivian brand in Lagos in 2016 before migrating to Houston, Texas, United States of America in 2017 where the fortunes of the brand continues to soar even as their customer base never pales in Nigeria.

Margret Riverson Essien is a native of Mpkat Enin local government area of Akwa Ibom State. She celebrates her birthday June 7th of every year.

In her professional years as a beautician she has worked with the likes of Winifred Amy, Jolie Hyacinth and many others.

“Our company is dedicated to providing the very best quality products and services. Making customers happy is our number one priority and goal. We strive to be the best in the Industry and innovate our products,” she says of her brand.

The mantra, “ Jack of all trades and master of none” could best describe the early business journey of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Prince Luxury Group, Omoha Nduka John simply known as “Prince Omoha”. In a recent interview the real estate developer/investor and entrepreneur narrated his humble beginning and how he finally found his calling and success in real estate.

“I ventured into real estate after I have failed in several businesses and after two years experience I consider real estate as a generational wealth because of it passive income and cash flow. Having lived in Hong Kong, one of the most expensive cities in the world motivated me to venture into real estate. And till tomorrow I don’t see myself leaving real estate for other business,” he said.

The turning point in his life was between 2008 and 2010 when he came to visit his elder brother in Lagos. After two visits he decided to join his brother in his business where he made substantial savings and ventured into mining business.

“I was into mining while schooling in the university until I met one Anambra man whom I supplied stones and made my first million in the business. I couldn’t believe the money was mine until I ran the supply over and over and kept making millions of naira in each supply. The business kept waxing and I became more focused in searching for foreign investors. I kept advertising all kinds of solid materials on my Facebook page till I met one Chinese investor who was interested in my products. I invited him to Nigeria after he sent me money to supply a ton of lead to him as samples. Thereafter, I invited him to Nigeria and he came over with his partners to buy lead, oxide and other precious stones in Nigeria. I took them to different States in the northern part of Nigeria where we went into mining. The business keep flourishing until they traveled back to Hong Kong for Chinese New Year festival. I later visited them in Hong Kong, that’s was when I fall in love with the Hong Kong city and decided to find opportunities around while controlling my business in Nigeria. Though because I was too far from home the business failed and I moved into real estate in 2016,” he said.

Omoha Nduka John was born on September 3, 1995 in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. He hails from Umuebe, Ezzamgbo in Ohaukwu local government area of Ebonyi State of Nigeria.

He did his primary education at Practicing School and secondary at Victory comprehensive Secondary School, both in Ezzamgbo before proceeding to Ebonyi State University (EBSU) where he bagged a Bachelor’s degree in political science.

After a business sojourn in Hong Kong, Prince Omoha returned home in 2016 to establish Prince Luxury Group company, which has blossomed to a leader in the real estate sector in Nigeria. He is also the founder of Prince Omoha Foundation.

The real estate sector of the economy is one enjoying a relative boom seemingly above all others at the moment. It is thus no surprise that many are springing up in the country to cash in. For the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Samitheo Network Company, a real estate company, Samuel O. Folusho, it is a boom to be expected and according to him, the real estate business is more than just a business.

“Real estate is more than just a business. Investment in real estate is what helps the company to thrive after a long period,” he said in an interview.

He also debunked the common notion that the oil and gas sector has produced more billionaires than any sector of the economy, holding that real estate is more lucrative.

In a recent interview where he was speaking on the sector, Folusho backs his statement with the simple argument that, “Yes, real estate is more lucrative than oil and gas because the worth of the assets increase exponentially over the years and never depreciates. In contrast, the assets in oil and gas sometimes depreciate.”

The Realtor and facility manager may not truly be off the mark as oil prices have plummeted in recent times while the real estate seems to be enjoying a relative boom. Speaking further Folusho highlights some of the challenges besetting the sector.

“The challenges being experienced by operators in the sector include; economic contraction; rising interest rates, inexperienced management; continued job growth; rising incomes; growing population and continuous access to financing,” he said.

His company, Samitheo Network Company has made sales and procurement of landed properties for some of their clients and currently has many properties for sale.

Samuel O Folusho who hails from Modakeke local area of Osun State, Nigeria incorporated his real estate company, Samitheo Network Company in 2016 under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990 of the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission.

He was born August 8, 1993. He is an alumnus of the University of Lagos with a BSC degree in business administration.

His company, Samitheo Network Company operates from Lekki, Ajah axis in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos.

Healing with medicinal plants and herbs is as old as mankind itself. The connection between man and his search for drugs in nature dates from the far past, of which there is ample evidence from various sources: written documents, preserved monuments and even original plant medicines.

In Nigeria and indeed on the whole of the African continent, herbal remedy is not new. The fore-bearers were known to avail themselves of the abundance of plants and herbs in the continent, oftentimes frowning at the orthodox medicine. As the continent began more opened to Western ways orthodox medicine won over herbal medicine until recently when the herbal service market bounced back.

Innovation and enterprise which have been the bane of the industry have been embraced by practitioners in the market and one that seems to be the vanguard of them all in Nigeria is Kolaqalagbo which is reputed to be the first herbal e-commerce platform in Nigeria.

Kolaqalagbo was established in 2012 as Kolaqalagbo Service Limited with a view to redefining excellence in herbal practice in Nigeria and global communities. Contrary to general notion that the company is into the aphrodisiac business, Kolaqalagbo proffers solution to many illnesses and ailments, including but not limited to venereal diseases, general infections, cardiovascular diseases, high blood sugar, malaria and many more.

According to available information, Kolaqalagbo through their Kolaqalagbo.com.ng is Nigeria’s first herbal online retail market and e-commerce website. They are committed to delivering excellence and wellness in herbal practice in Nigeria.

Their fast selling products which are being celebrated by the young and old are their alcoholic drinks brands; Kolaqalagbo bitters, 4Ka X tea and Do D Do bitters.

Apart from changing the face of herbal business in Nigeria, Kolaqalagbo has offered employment opportunities to many in form of commission. There are many vendors who sell their products for commissions. Their factory boast of more than 100 workers including actual staff and contract staff.

“We will all agree Kolaqalagbo is the best thing that has happened to herbal practice in the last five years, making specialization in the business more attractive. When we started a whole lot of influencers would tell you they could not be an ambassador to a herbal brand or something. Nobody believed one could sell alternative remedy online without proper consultation. We are the first herbal brand online e-commerce in sales and services. People were used to the hawking and scruffy means of herbal practice. We have rebranded herbal practice and make it well known through social media. We started online then expansion brought us in touch with so many aspects of herbal practice,” says Olayemi Omotolani Abeeb Lateef, the founder of the company.

Kolaqalagbo has had many notable brand influencers promote the brand over the years. Notable among them are Mr Jollof, Teddy A, Toyin Lawani and many others.

“We specialize in the sale and consultancy of natural health care products made from the best natural ingredients produced in Nigeria and other global communities blessed with curative herbs. Herbal products and remedies which are made from various blend of natural ingredients such as fruits , roots ,vegetables , and herbs are catching a lot of attention globally because of its efficiency and effectiveness with the unique attribute of stopping re-occurrence,” the Founder added.

The word “feminism” means different things to different people. According to Britannica, “Feminism, is the belief in social, economic, and political equality of the sexes.

Although largely originating in the West, feminism is manifested worldwide and is represented by various institutions committed to activity on behalf of women’s rights and interests.” But for Nollywood upwardly mobile actress, Luchy Donalds her idea is not so much off the mark.

According to her and as she made public in a recent interview, “Feminism to me is advocating for women, fighting for their rights, you can’t say because she’s a woman you can’t give her this job or because she’s a woman she can’t be the president.”

Luchy Donalds started her journey in Nollywood in 2014. Her debut film “The Investigator” set her on the right path that has made her one of the most promising actresses in the industry. Her success on her debut attracted many directors to her and she has since been on the rise and high in demand.

Some of the films she has featured include; King’s Wife; Mr Arrogant; Chisom The Wife Material, Too Hard To Forget; Mrs and The Mistress and many more.

“I love all my movies and each character I play matters a lot,” she had remarked in an interview.

Luchy Donalds is yet to produce a movie of her own as it seems the Imo State beauty is satisfied with killing any role that comes her. And her talent hasn’t gone unnoticed as she has won Nigerian Achievers Award.

“A lot of sacrifices have been put into this my career. I practically have given all of my personal time to my career, I don’t get to have time to give myself treats because I work Monday to Sunday. I barely get enough sleep at night because I am either reading the next script or closing work very late because sometimes we film till 3 to 4am,” she said.

Luchy Donalds was born May 28, 1995. She’s a native of Owerri North local government area of Imo State, Nigeria.

She attended Mount Carmel Nursery and Primary School and then left for Premier Secondary School. She bagged her first Bachelor’s degree at Madonna University and Tansian University.

Not everyone had a vivid vision of what their future would look like as a child. But Onyeuka Sophia Anwuli, the Chief Executive Officer of Sophie Couture, a premium brand in fashion and boutique business had a good glimpse into her own future as far back as when she was barely five.

The beautiful businesswoman who has taken hold of the fashion business by the jugular in a recent interview took us back through the journey she has travelled to arrive at the destination where she reigns in pomp and pride. She also highlights the challenges and the sweet aroma of success that has come to dot her world of fashion.

“At a very tender age, according to my parents, while growing up I was told I always loved to dress up myself , made my cloth selections and how I loved to see teenage ladies look good . My mum told me when I was five years old my late dad was driving past a young girl and I rolled out my head as she was walking. yelling and saying, “see sissy , sexy , neat looking clothes and everyone went into a hard laughter .This continued until when I became matured. I always love dressing neatly , clean and clear,” she began

“This began to grow when I graduated from university and got my very first job back then. I so much loved clothes to the extent that I always spent all my salary on fashion because then my dad was always giving me monthly work salary as a supper upkeep so I didn’t have any course to worry. I love to look good and dress fashionable . This passion became clearer whenever I dress up people admire and always like to know where I got the dress I was wearing from. It was then I began to think out of the box to say if I put in efforts I could make a good living out of selling clothes . This was how it all began for me,” she added.

After graduating from the Imo State University with a Bachelor’s degree in banking and finance she picked up a 8-5pm job while her passion for fashion burns underneath.

“I started my boutique business in my home. My passion grew when I formerly used to work an 8-5pm job and when I dressed up to work my colleagues always admired my outfit so whenever they wanted it I just told them I had it and when they made payment I would go source it for them. Little by little the business started growing and I was able to save up capital to rent a store, operating it while I continued with my office job. 10 years after, here we are today. It’s been a long journey,” she said.

Onyeuka Sophia Anwuli floated the Sophie Couture brand in 2007, a little over ten years ago. Although she has an inspiring success story to tell but the journey has not been paved with gold and ornery, she has paid her dues, sometimes costly too.

“The journey hasn’t been easy at all . I happen to have had my business running alongside an 8-5pm job. It was a hell of a stress. I used to work in the shipping sector and my schedule was as hectic as hell. How do you equate my leaving the office on a Friday straight to the airport to board a flight to Istanbul or Dubai just to shop for my store, get there early hours on Saturday, rush to check in a hotel, take a shower and immediately zooms off to the market to shop because I would need to leave Istanbul or Dubai the next day, all because I need to be in office on a Monday morning. It became worse especially when I had already exhausted my annual leave for the year and also had run out of stock . It has been a roller-coaster journey of pain, frustration, high energy and of course triumphs at the end of the day,” she enumerated with passion.

Onyeuka Sophia Anwuli has taken the Sophie Couture brand to the apex of the ladder in fashion and boutique business by deploying technology-driven marketing skills and also by selling luxury items at affordable prices.

“My marketing skills really played a role in my business. I can market anything marketable. I can make something ugly look very appealing to the eyes. I market my goods with so much passion that I must say contributed immensely to the growth of my business.

Onyeuka Sophia Anwuli is a Delta Igbo woman from Ndokwa East Local Government area of Delta State. She attended Learning Field Nursery and Primary School.

Her secondary education was at Hope Bay College before proceeding to Imo State University for a degree in banking and finance.

Lisa Osarumen Ogunrobo, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Melisakim Clothing has established her brand as one of the most sought after among the middle class and the stupendously rich.

Based in the capital city of Abuja Melisakim Clothing has defined trends, endearing itself to so many.

Through her Instagram page @pretiwomannn she has been able to spread her tentacles across the nation and beyond.

In a recent interview, the lady boss reveals why she went into fashion and how it has rubbed off on her well-being.

“I have always loved to wear nice clothes and I also want other women to wear nice clothes too. You need to have passion for any business you want to venture in, and be very smart and strategic. I chose to go into fashion because my mission and aim in life is to make every woman feel comfortable and confident in their body. Fashion means everything to me. It gives me so much confidence, there is this confidence about a woman that dresses well possesses. Fashion is a reflection of who we are and what we believe. The fashion industry contributes to society by allowing us to express ourselves, our creativity and our beliefs to the world. And in my own little way I want to make women express their inner selves. Through fashion other inner attributes of a woman become manifest,” she said.

She said her journey into fashion didn’t start as a business to make money, but through passion that developed into a professional calling and a means of livelihood.

“When I started during school days it wasn’t about the money and it was easy then. But now that it has become a business I can say it’s tough, trying to satisfy all customers,updating new pictures, the more your business expands, the more challenges you face, just be positive. I will just advise women out there to pursue their dreams and do what they love,’ she said.

“Fashion business is very lucrative if it is your passion and the challenges are trying to please your customers with the best customer service, bringing new style and design and updating pictures and all on social media,” she added.

She founded the Melisakim Clothing brand in 2014, then as Pretiwomannn Store in her university days. It was when she married and relocated to Abuja that Melisakim emerged, a name that entails initials from her name, her daughter’s and her husband’s

“It was first, Pretiwomannn store in my university days. A very small store close to my hostel where I sell clothes to students. Melisakim founded in. 2014. Then when I got married and wanted to open a store in Abuja. I decided to change the name, so I can Include my daughter’s name too, Kim. Which made it Melisakim,” she reminisced.

Lisa Ogunrobo hails from Oredo local government area of Edo State.

She was born November 9, 1992. She attended University of Portharcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria and bagged a Bachelor’s degree in History and Diplomatic Studies.

She has a strong Instagram presence (@pretiwomann) with thousands of followers and currently operates out of her Abuja shop in the Federal Capital Territory.