Serial entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of Omabeauteparlour Salon, Onwualor Chiamaka has opened up on her foray into the world of entrepreneurship, a terrain very much dominated by the opposite gender.
She said rubbing shoulders with men presents a unique set of challenges, highlighting some particular obstacles that women face when working alongside men.
“One challenge is the gender bias and stereotypes that still exist in many industries. Men may assume that women are not as capable as men when it comes to business, or that women are not as committed to their work as men are. This can lead to women being overlooked for opportunities, or their contributions being undervalued or minimized.
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“Another challenge is the lack of representation of women in leadership positions. When most of the people in leadership roles are men, it can be difficult for women to find role models or mentors who can relate to their experiences and offer guidance.
“Additionally, women entrepreneurs may face barriers when it comes to funding and investment. Studies have shown that women are less likely to receive venture capital funding than men, even when they have comparable qualifications and business plans. This can make it more difficult for women to grow their businesses and reach their full potential,” she stated.
She added that “Despite these challenges, many women entrepreneurs have successfully navigated the male-dominated world of business and achieved great success. It’s important for women to find a supportive community of other entrepreneurs, both men and women, who can offer guidance, advice, and mentorship. By building a strong network and staying focused on their goals, women can overcome the challenges of working in a male-dominated industry and achieve their dreams.
However, in the face of all these challenges she mentioned, Onwualor has soldiered on. After participating in several beauty pageants , she veered into the beauty space and opened her beauty brand known as Omabeauteparlour Salon.
As a former beauty queen, it was not out of place that she should find the beauty space as a place to pitch her tent. In fact she revealed that she had been into the beauty business since her university days at Imo State University where she was much appreciated for her skill and quality service.
“As a young lady who started a salon business from my university days in Imo State University, I was inspired to go into the beauty business because I’ve always been interested in the beauty industry. I love everything about makeup, hair, and skincare, and I realized that there was a real need for affordable, high-quality beauty services in my community.
“I noticed that many of my fellow students at university were interested in beauty services but were struggling to find a place that was both affordable and of good quality. That’s when I decided to start my own salon business, offering services like hair styling, and wig sales to my fellow students and members of the local community,” she recounted.
She noted that the journey so far has been both exciting and challenging, adding that starting a business from scratch is never easy.
“I had to learn a lot about running a business along the way. I had to juggle my studies with managing the salon, and there were times when it was difficult to balance both.
However, the support and positive feedback I received from my clients made it all worthwhile. I loved seeing how happy they were with the services we provided, and it motivated me to keep pushing forward and growing the business.
As the business grew, I was able to hire other talented stylists and expand our services. We started offering more specialized treatments like luxury braids, manicure and pedicure services, and we opened a second location in Lekki, Lagos. It has been an incredible journey, and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far,” she declared with pride.
“Looking back, I’m grateful for the challenges and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. I’ve developed skills in marketing, finance, and leadership, and I’ve gained a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into running a successful business. I’m excited to see where the journey takes me next, and I’m always looking for new ways to innovate and grow the business,” she added.
Onwualor Chiamaka became a public figure after contesting for the Miss Charismatic Nigeria (MCN) beauty pageant and also joined Black Dove models. She has done a lot of TV and billboard commercials.
She owns one of the biggest salons in two cities, “Omabeauteparlour salon,” one in Owerri, Imo State and another one in Osapa London Lekki, Lagos State
Onwualor Chiamaka went to Learning Field International School, Omagba Phase 2, Onitsha, Anambra State, for her secondary education and attended Imo State University, Owerri, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Biology.
