LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
ORÍKÌ Group, Nigeria’s unique luxury spa chain and farm-to-skin product range.
Joycee Awosika is an award-winning entrepreneur, energy economist and speaker. She has a history of running companies, mainly ORÍKÌ, the first and only all natural farm to skin brand to operate a fast-growing premium product and wellness spa brand in conjunction. Launched in 2015 and today employing 37 people, ORÍKÌ has developed 6 spas in four years and distributes products globally. Joycee’s work has been featured in several global publications including: CNBC, The Huffington Post, Ebony Magazine, The Guardian. She has built a reputation for her expertise in creating structure for businesses and homes and provides, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and templates through her platform, SOAR. SOAR is growing into a leading structure and strategy and development consultancy that works closely with small and medium enterprises and individuals to help them scale by leveraging systems and structure. She is avidly passionate about impacting SMEs to be sustainable and scalable realizing that they form the backbone of the economy.
This month, Lionesses of Africa spoke to the passion-driven and inspirational founder of ORÍKÌ Group, Joycee Awosika, to find out more about her entrepreneurial journey to date, and also her aspirations for the future of the business.
What does your company do?
ORÍKÌ Group is a wellness and personal grooming brand that is the first and only company in Nigeria to operate a luxury spa chain coupled with its own farm to skin product range. We utilize only the best, efficient & potent natural ingredients from the richest resource Continent in the world, Africa. ORÍKÌ Group comprises of a multi-channel spa, farm to skin retail product company and a wholesale & amenity product line for spa's, hotels, and airlines. We are a fast growing organization having developed/operated six spas, retail stores and created distribution channels across Nigeria and in three countries. Our mission is to leave a piece of Africa with consumers around the world by creating farm to skin products, wellness centers, empowering farming ecosystems and instilling ‘skinfidence.'
What inspired you to start your company?
As a young girl who grew up in the western world, I was intrigued by natural ingredients and their potency. The more I experimented; skin and hair became her weapon of choice for self-expression – a way to experiment with raw materials and resources – and it powered a journey that led me back to my roots on the Continent of Africa, specifically Nigeria, and that propelled the creation of ORÍKÌ. After years of experimenting with all types of natural ingredients, at one point creating a mini lab in a home setting, testing and experimenting with diverse materials from activated charcoal to wild berries and ingredients in between. I wanted others to experience and believe in the potency of natural. Seeing a void in the industry and a depiction and narration of Africa as being helpless and lacking, I launched a personal grooming brand “inspired by nature and crowned with opulence,” focusing on a wide range of raw materials and ingredients for all skin types, creating formulas that work for all depending on skin type and concern.
What makes your business, service or product special?
We believe in democratizing wellness, through our service channel, we build spas in communities that give people access to luxurious pampering. The combination of our own spa grade product range and the wellness spas is a unique offering. When customers engage in ORIKI facial services or body treatments, they are experiencing and utilizing the ORIKI product range. Our goal is to expand into more and more communities, giving more people the opportunity to make wellness a lifestyle.
Tell us a little about your team
The ORIKI Team is like one big family, we are close and we work hard and also play hard. At the core of ORIKI’s values is Nurture and it starts with our team. We are diverse and we all bring our unique strengths to the table. Everyone's voice matters and everyones suggestions and comments are welcome. We are a fast growing team across our locations and Headquarters and the backgrounds span from chemistry to botany to accounting to economics.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
From a young age I have had a keen interest in solving problems and monetizing opportunities. I started a babysitters club when I was younger, a candy store out of my locker, I made accessories and much more as a child. I would say there was a streak and love for entrepreneurship from as young as I can remember. My Father was also an entrepreneur going up and I use to enjoy visiting his office and learning about what he did, it definitely left an impression on me and fueled my passion.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
ORIKI is scaling and expanding and bringing more ORIKI locations to more communities; we are currently working on 3 other locations as well as launching a new farm to skin product line and a new haircare line. In 2020 we have been blessed to scale two of our service offerings - Our Spa at Home services have provided hundreds of homes the opportunity to have spa services in the safety and comfort of their home. Furthermore we built the ORIKI production facility in June 2020 and since then we have ramped up on contract manufacturing and private label. We have been able to work on other companies product ranges, formulate, bring them to life and manufacturer for them. Both are product and service channels are currently scaling up.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The ability to create jobs and opportunities for others while leaving a tangible impact on people and our communities. I am delighted to see ORIKI loyalists who have imbibed ORIKI as a way of life, a lifestyle and a culture. I also gain immense satisfaction when we create products and receive incredible feedback. At the end of the day making an impact is of utmost importance to me.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
My own personal advice is to partner with God. I have seen my business transform as I said NO to fear and instead gained confidence by trusting in God through every season and allowing him steer the ship and lead my efforts. I've come to realize that obstacles and challenges are inevitable but I no longer let the struggles consume me because I have faith that the company would be victorious.
To find out more about ORÍKÌ Group, contact Joycee via email joycee.awosika@orikigroup.com or visit the company’s website and social media platforms:
