streets into something more beneficial and worthwhile, beautiful and down-to-earth Iroghama has gainfully employed many handy Nigerians, taking them off the works of an idle mind and intends to enlarge her coast in due course.
In this interview with Saturday Sun, Miss Ogbeifun reveals her passion for stylish hairs, the birth of Hairven Company in London and her burning desire to take Nigerian youths off evil vices by providing them with employment opportunities.
How it all began
When I was young, I could recall I loved playing with my hair and that of my siblings. I never knew I would find myself going into hair-care fully as business.
I came in from London for holiday. One day, my friends who also came in from London and I went to a shop to get our hair care product. On getting to a particular shop, we were astonished to see a high range of products. There were so many that we got confused on the brand to use to avoid hair damage.
I have also heard several women and ladies alike complain of bad hair care products especially for human hair extensions. You don’t expect a lady to spend a hundred thousand naira and above in buying Brazilin hair or any other expensive hair extension, then buy a fake hair care product to wash and maintain it. If care is not taken, the product might end up damaging the hair. So, I capitalized on that need for such product to bring out something totally different from what we used to have.
When the idea was born, I thought about it but couldn’t start up immediately because of my education. Then I had just finished my degree in UK; I studied Biology and Psychology and was about going for my Masters degree in nine months.
I read Public Health for my Master’s. I couldn’t mix school and full-time business because I had little or no time to run around. I had to squarely face my studies.
That notwithstanding, in the meantime I had to do a study, surveying the hair market by buying and selling wigs and weavons, Brazilin human hair extensions and the like. When I finally rounded off my Master’s programme, I told my dad about my decisions to fully start up my own hair care products. He endorsed it and gave me his full support financially and morally.
I went to a laboratory in UK. They did series of tests and came out with the best result and wonderful products. So, we signed a deal to that effect. For now, all my products are made in London.
I knew within me that I was doing the right thing because I have a passion for what I am doing. It really irritates me to see a lady with a tattered or an unkempt hair.
The hair goes a long way in defining a woman and her style. The first place an admirer looks at is your hair and facials.
But shortly after we launched the ‘Hairven’ hair care products, it was a bit difficult to penetrate the market but God has been faithful. Few months later, it started gaining publicity; I no longer beg for distributors, they now beg to distribute my products. Even the shops and salons are now fully involved. I also have distributors in Ghana. If I look back and remember those days I was the director, the accountant, the distributor, I smile to myself and my achievments so far, because then it was really a one-man thing.
The name ‘Hairven’
At first I called it Hair-heaven, because I wanted it to be more like a “wow” shop for ladies hair products and human hair extension; more like a shop where a woman would come in and say this is heaven.
But my mum, as a pastor, wasn’t too cool with the name as it involves heaven, so I had to merge parts of the two names together. That was how ‘Hairven’ was born.
Other projects
For now, I would focus on human hair and extension care products and manufacture ranges of it. I wish for something rare and unseen but it’s needed by every woman. Anyway, I am still doing a research on it. After that, then I would create men’s range of products; sporting waves, shampoos for them too, etc. I also intend to have my own range of human hair extensions, body creams, perfumes and all sorts. I have loads of ideas in my cooler right now. It is only a matter of time and most of them would be out. I just keep praying for God’s mercy and intervention. I strongly believe ‘Hairven’ products would go places. I want to be innovative in producing; making something human need but it has been scarce or not available.
I would go as far as creating an industrial company here in Nigeria. We would ship the raw materials and get all other productions done here, thereby creating more job opportunities for many Nigerian youths.
Most of the evil vices Nigerians face are said to come from the South-south; kidnapping, militancy and what have you. I want to change that perception of the Niger Deltans and make the world have a reason to praise us. I am really out for a radical change for the youths, from the bad to the best.
Challenges
As I rightly hinted, there are ranges and varieties of hair products in the market but you could hardly see one that would work on human hair extensions. My products were borne out of the need for something totally different from what others offer. With that knowledge I was able to penetrate the market and buy the hearts of Nigerian women and beyond.
The most challenging problem I had was finance. It has not been easy but the outcome is worth the stress and troubles.
There are times I don’t sleep, either doing one work or the other. In such trying times, I would silently ask myself if all my stress and sleepless nights are worth the troubles, but the commendation I have been receiving from those who have come in contact with my products amazes me and I believe I would do more.
My dad has always been there for me also. He would tell me to be patient because this is my sowing period, in due time I will reap the fruits of my labour.
Then my mum and I had to run one month midnight prayers with fasting to lift the company to God and ask for His grace and mercies. The whole month of July was full of prayers. And I must tell you, it really worked. I am beginning to see the results of my sleepless nights.
The big show
I have a very big hair show coming up in Unilag’s new hall on November 18. I would be inviting Banky-W and other musicians. It is more like a hair show, but there would be hair vendors. You can come make free hairs because I have stylists, make-ups, body care consultants and lots more. It’s a free-for-all show. It is going to cost me a chunk of money but that’s part of the promo that I am doing to boost Hairven products. It is our first and the maiden edition of the show. The next stop would be Benin, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, and so on.
Background
I was born here in Nigeria, Port Harcourt precisely, but I am from Edo State. After my secondary education, I went over to UK for my degree, and then came back to Nigeria, to do my National Youth Service. After which I travelled back for my Master’s degree.
I grew up as a tomboy. I was just following my elder brother’s footsteps. I played football with him and did all those funny things boys do. I must confess my childhood days were filled with lots of fun.
I am the second child and the first girl in a family of seven. Surprisingly, I have a four- year-old sister. You must agree with me that my father is still very active.
Personal life
I have little time to spend for myself. I have been so worked out that I was forced to take a day off last week to the cinema to see a movie with my friends. I was breaking out gradually and had to do something before it got worse. Asides, managing ‘Hairven’, I also manage my dad’s security company. We deal in security guards and dogs. It hasn’t been easy but God has been my strength. Acting as a CEO of two big companies is not an easy task, I must confess.
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