Some of the best beauty professionals didn’t start with a formal class or certificate. They started with a mirror, a pencil, and curiosity. In the first edition of The Founder’s Files, I sat down with Awele, a beauty entrepreneur who went from quietly drawing on her own brows to working with global brands like MAC, Estée Lauder, and Tom Ford.
In this conversation, she opens up about her earliest days as a self-taught makeup artist, the reality of being introverted in a bold industry, and how that journey led her to build BPH; a hub that creates the very opportunities she once wished she had.
I asked her to take us back to where it all began before the makeup counters, the business degrees, or the quiet confidence she now carries.
“It started with red lipstick and my mum,” she smiled.
Growing up, her mother always wore the most beautiful makeup; soft, elegant, and always finished with a bold red lip.
“In uni, I realized I barely had brows,” she laughed. “So I started drawing them in. People would compliment me, and soon they were asking me to help with theirs or show them how I did it.”
What began as a personal experiment quietly bloomed into something more. Small, consistent moments of curiosity and creativity stacked up. Without knowing it, Awele was building both skill and a name.
But behind the scenes, it wasn’t all smooth.
“I was self-taught and introverted. I didn’t have a network, mentor, or teacher to ask questions. So I winged a lot of things.”
While others had industry connections or beauty school guidance, she had to figure things out alone; learning through trial, error, and endless research.
That loneliness and lack of structure would later spark something bigger; the idea for Beautypreneur Hub (BPH).
“I wish there had been a safe space to learn, someone to consult, or a platform to showcase my skills to potential clients.”
The career shift that changed everything.
While studying for her MSc in England, she applied for several jobs. One of them was a beauty advisor role under the Estée Lauder brand family. She also got another offer in tech.
“But, I chose beauty. I knew what I wanted.” She says
“I was intentional about working there. I wanted the experience and exposure. It taught me structure, pace, and excellence at a global level.”
But her business mind didn’t stay quiet.
Awele’s academic background started shaping how she saw the beauty world. She wasn’t just thinking about makeup anymore, she was thinking about systems, scale, and sustainability.
“My MSc changed everything. I started seeing the bigger picture in business. There are so many tools and opportunities people don’t even know exist. That’s why so many give up early.”
Driven by a desire to help others avoid the same struggles, Awele founded BPH; Beautypreneur Hub. What began as an idea turned into a platform that offers business education, community, and visibility for beauty creatives.
“My mission now is to educate people on building a strong business foundation and to create a space filled with opportunities.”
That also includes a directory; a space where beauty professionals can finally be seen, booked, and respected.
To wrap up our conversation, I asked her one final question:
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
“I’d tell her to stop underestimating her talent and capabilities,” she said without hesitation.
That quiet, creative girl with the drawn-on brows already had everything she needed, she just didn’t know it yet.
Awele’s story is a beautiful reminder that the path to success in beauty isn’t always polished or linear. From self-taught beginnings to global counters, her journey proves there’s space in this industry for passion, persistence, and purpose.
What is The Founder’s Files about?
It’s our way of spotlighting our own founder, Awele, the woman behind the vision, the voice behind the brand.
Through this ongoing series, we’ll be unpacking her journey, lessons, and insider wisdom across beauty, business, and beyond. Real stories, honest answers, and the kind of insight you don’t always see online.
Got questions you’d love us to ask Awele in future editions? Let us know.
If you’d like to be featured in one of our e-interview series or you have a favourite founder you think we should speak with, feel free to send us a DM.
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