Tolulope Eletu: ‘Women should be open to learning and willing to help others’

Tolulope Eletu is a licensed Medical Aesthetician and Laser Technician. She is the founder of Neubelle Med and Wellness Centre located in Magodo Phase 2, Lagos. Established in 2021, the centre has so far welcomed and served over 300 customers with personalised treatment plans and a confidence boost to enhance their natural beauty. A graduate of Chemistry from the University of Lagos, she became interested in skin care after a personal experience, which led her to gaining the required knowledge to improve the condition of her skin. She attended the American Laser and Aesthetics Institute and gained training as a Laser Technician in the United States of America, before training in Cosmetology at Academy Rive Droite, Paris. She also attended Monroe Aesthetics Academy UK and gained Continuous Professional Development (CPD) accreditation in Pathway to Aesthetics, Foundation in anti-wrinkle, Advanced level in anti-wrinkle, Foundation in dermal-filler and Advanced in dermal-filler. In Amsterdam, Holland, she trained in Quanta systems specifically for Duetto MT-Q Plus C and Youlaser MT lasers.
Passionate about delivering exceptional care and results for every client, Eletu is a true professional and carries that into the treatment room. She is a contributor to her community and society at large with interests in charity. Every year, alongside her family, she gives back to the less fortunate, especially children with disabilities and orphans providing support with food, shelter and resources. In this interview with IJEOMA THOMAS-ODIA, she shares her experience in the industry and her passion for improving skincare.

Could you take us through your growing up years?
I GREW up in a family of five and I am the firstborn. My family was quite comfortable while growing up; I had access to a good standard of living. My parents were entrepreneurs; my dad was a businessman, while my mum owned a school. We were a close-knit family and very religious while growing up; we never missed a church service.
My parents were always very involved and never missed a milestone throughout our childhood. Growing up with my family the way I did, has moulded me into who I am today.

With your background in Chemistry, how did you arrive at your career choice?
I was always a beauty enthusiast before chemistry. However, studying chemistry helped me to know and understand certain chemical compositions and their effects on the skin.
After graduating, I studied courses in aesthetics, which helped my knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the skin, different skin conditions, their interventions and how to improve the overall appearance of the skin.

As an aesthetician, what are the recurrent cases that you handle?
The most common skin conditions that I treat include acne, hyperpigmentation,
hypertrophic scarring and keloids.

What really stands your brand out fro the rest?
Neubelle Med and Wellness Centre pride itself in client satisfaction from the first point of interaction to treatment planning and process. Our customer service and treatment approach is first class and the proof is in our client results and repeat service. Neubelle Med and Wellness Centre encompass all your aesthetics and wellness needs with the use of worldclass machines and well trained doctors, aestheticians and beauty therapists.

We treat a wide range of skin conditions, and meet all your beauty and wellness needs. Some of our services include: Facials, Laser treatments, Injectables, Chemical Peels, Massages, Body treatments and many more.

What is your take on ‘Being comfortable in your own skin’, what does this phrase mean to you and how do you relate it to your customers?
‘Being comfortable in your own skin’ to me, means authenticity and accepting myself with all my flaws. For my clients, this means I encourage them to embrace who they are fully and to love themselves first. I remind my clients to offer themselves grace and to be kind to themselves physically, emotionally and mentally.
Taking care of yourself isn’t just about looking good, it’s about feeling good and about the thoughts you have towards yourself. It can really improve your mood and how you see yourself.

What lessons have you garnered running your business over the years?
Having team members is necessary for your dream to become a reality; without people, nobody will build your vision. Always lead with integrity and empathy, understand that life is happening to others too and that for them to give their best to you, you must treat them with understanding, train them in the knowledge you want them to have and be willing to give them freedom; don’t try to control or micromanage them, that can build resentment. Give them room and some autonomy to take responsibility for work they are in charge of and see how well they do.

How do you get inspired and stay motivated?
My family inspires me the most; seeing my children experiencing life in ways I could never imagine pushes me to ensure they have the best start to success. What I am building is for them.

Staying motivated is not easy, but with the support of my husband, my family, my staff members and a few friends who believe in me and what I am building, I’m able to succeed. All of this helps me want more and gives me the willingness to try and give it my best.

How can more women rise to the top and live their dreams?
I would encourage women to push; you are the driving force of your dreams, but you must be willing to do the hard work and have patience when building. I learnt quickly that life isn’t fair, but we also can’t control everything. You have to do everything you can to mitigate your circumstances; keep trying and be ready to fail.

I tried so many times till I got it right, people who know my story can attest to this.
Consistency will eventually give way to success; it doesn’t get easy when you get to the top, because you have to maintain what you build, which is why integrity should be at the centre of everything you do.

How can we get more women to become successful and rise to the top as you have done?
I believe in community and collaboration; no man is an island. Competition isn’t fun when only one person keeps winning, but healthy competition can exist to push you to be your best.

Scarcity and gatekeeping is a mindset we must break free from, because there is room for everyone. Focus on what you do best, become a master of that thing and run with your vision until you see it established. You will make mistakes, but be willing to pivot and adapt. No one is going to believe you until you start and even then, only a few will but keep going. Be open to learning and willing to help others.

Success is a personal formula most of the time, so reach out and collaborate instead of copying someone else. Offer value; what are you great at, take time to think about your strengths and build your weaknesses to develop yourself personally. Get the knowledge you need to be better, take a course, intern if you have to. Visibility brings accessibility; speak up and share the things you are doing so people can associate you with certain things and reach out. It’s also important to emphasis that you can never stop learning; always be on top of whatever it is you are doing.

What informed your charity project, what plans do you have this season?
My family definitely informed my philanthropic nature. Being the eldest child, seeing how hard my parents worked and how much they gave inspired me to want to give back, especially within my local community. I can never forget where I come from. Although my beginnings were comfortable in comparison to what I have now, they were small. So, it’s very important for me to share the blessings I have received with those who need it most.

This year, my family and I will be hosting our annual charity drive and sharing out food, visiting orphanages and supporting individual children with resources and shelter to improve their current conditions and outlook on life.

How are you able to juggle between roles and be at your best?
It’s not easy juggling between roles, but I honestly just get things done as and when needed. I live in the moment, so I give my attention to what is required of me now whilst still having the vision of the future I want to create for myself in mind.

I have learnt that life can never really be balanced, because your attention will be required at different levels, so you just have to push through and do the hard work, but find moments to rest alone and with your family.

What future plans are in sight for you and your business?
We’ve been working on a state of the art centre that will launch in January, by God’s grace. This will be located in Victoria Island. I’m excited about this growth, as our mainland location has grown in leaps and bounds. I can’t wait to see what the island has in store for us.

How long have you been working on this and what challenges have you encountered on this new journey? Why haven’t you given up?
It’s been 12 months! And has been challenging and tedious I must admit. Excellence is costly and time consuming. I pay attention to detail and believe that whatever one finds their hand doing, they must do it well.