Omotayo Durodola is the Chief Executive Officer, New Prestige Skin Care and Spa. She has more than 20 years experience in the manufacturing sector where she has been involved in marketing body cream, soaps and organic herbals. For the entrepreneur it has been a tough journey but she was determined to succeed against the many challenges encountered. In this interview with BUSOLA ODUGBESAN, she goes down memory lane to talk about her experiences, working with natural products, author, talk show host, encounter with the former Minister for Works and Housing and how she has once been impersonated by a friend as well as life as a television personality.
What is the secret behind your beauty and looking natural?
Beauty basically depends on the individual and the efforts you put in. In addition, I would say that, if you can clear your thoughts, care for your skin and engage in some light exercise routine like skipping, taking a walk amongst other things. They all help to make you continue to look nice and young. Also going natural and using natural products makes the skin glow in unique ways.
As someone who loves fashion, what you are the things you do to keep you going?
When I first launched this beauty business 20 years ago, I was still quite young and I never once deviated from my principles. I adore fashion, but there are many things I cannot do, including being completely naked, wearing clothing that reveals my body, or going half-naked. Those who know me well will attest that I am disciplined when it comes to dressing in a particular way, but I won’t change because of fashion.
What makes your products and services unique?
My products are distinctive since I produce them myself. I work basically with products that you can see in the kitchen and fruits. I use palm oil, palm kernel oil as well as things like salt for soap. They are all natural components.
Where did you get the inspiration for the things that you do?
I have worked as a studio makeup artist at Lagos Television (LTV8) for the past 18 years as part of my service, and I currently host a show there called “Oge Ara” that viewers also watch. I have also written more than three novels as an author.
What have been the challenges so far?
I don’t foresee any major obstacles, but l know that as humans we are not perfect. I would also say that working with dishonest people occasionally gets me depressed. Your employees or co-workers, even close friend might betray you.
Have you been able to get government assistance for your product?
Certainly not, however, I provide individuals with free seminars about what I do on my own to the public. However, I’ll never get over the fact that a minister I worked for gave me his business card as a means of saying thanks for my service and promised to assist me. On that fateful day, l went to the office, and my bag that contained the card got stolen. The terrible part of this is that the person who took my bag went so far as to pretend to be me when she reached out to the minister. She later called me and confessed that she stole my bag, and threatened to kill me. She claimed that no amount of reporting would convince her to return the card. I had the chance to receive assistance from the government at that time, but I lost the chance since my bag was stolen by a friend.
Fortunately, I ran into the Minister at a gathering, and I told him what had transpired. He said that he had helped the person who impersonated me in various ways and he promised to get hold of the culprit. I believe that if my bag hadn’t been taken, the government would have given me the chance to empower other people around me. Every time I think back on that occurrence, I feel bad, would be in so much pain.
What was your happiest moment?
That was the time that I worked for Babatunde Fashola. Then, I applied his makeup whenever he wants to appear on television at LTV 8. I did his makeup prior to, throughout, and even after serving as the governor of Lagos State. Doing that for him made me happy every time. Apart from him, I have worked with other famous people, including Akinwumi Ambode, the former governor of Lagos state.
What do you do when you are free?
I am always at work, training people but any time I am free you see me in house with my family or in church. I am a devoted person, being a member of the choir.
What advice do you have for start-ups?
If they want to be successful, they should work hard. Don’t get engaged in what you don’t learn or have passion for, be diligent in everything you do. Sometimes, it’s okay to fail, but never dwell in that failure. Keep moving until success comes your way.
What advice do you have for the government?
The government should provide assistance to those who work hard, be it a start-up or individuals like us. Government support is necessary for people like us who sell natural products to expand our businesses. If they assist us, we will also assist in hiring more people, create employment, as well as offer them free seminars on what we do.