Startup Story

When you are a mother to triplets, you have first hand knowledge of just what babies need when it comes to natural skincare, and that is certainly the case with Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, founder of Amal Botanicals Baby Care. She has a big vision to be a leading natural baby skincare brand in Africa.

LoA chatted to Zuwaira this month to find out more.

What does your company do?

We are a leading Natural Baby Skincare brand in Africa.

What inspired you to start your company?

As a mother of premature triplets, I saw a need for natural skincare products, specifically for babies.

“As a mother of premature triplets, I saw a need for natural skincare products, specifically for babies.”

“Our products are made from natural ingredients which have anti-inflammatory properties.”

Why should anyone use your service or product?

Our products are made from natural ingredients which have anti-inflammatory properties and have been tested and proven to relief dry skin, eczema, cradle cap, diaper rash and other skin inflammation, especially in babies.

Tell us a little about your team

We have the production team who are in charge of production in the factory. Stella who is the Admin team at our first sales centre, Ikoyi Lagos. She handles all orders and supervises packing of orders. We have Simi the manager who sees to the day to day activities of Amal Botanicals, we have the dispatch riders who ensures all shipment within Lagos are dispatched.

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

Coming from being a chartered accountant and tax administrator to becoming an entrepreneur has been a very interesting journey. I have no background in entrepreneurship, I had to learn entrepreneurship and I am still learning on the journey. With entrepreneurship, I have had to do lots of things and have been afraid and alone. With lots of mistakes on the journey from sourcing wrong machines to wrong purchase of raw materials leading to big loss for the company in millions, but we survived it all.

“Coming from being a chartered accountant and tax administrator to becoming an entrepreneur has been a very interesting journey.”

“I had to learn entrepreneurship and I am still learning on the journey.”

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

To be THE leading Natural Baby Care Brand from Africa.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Caring for other babies just like how I cared for my beautifully born premature triplets and helping other mothers ease the joy of motherhood by providing them with Natural Baby Care Solutions is my utmost joy and satisfaction.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

Start with what you have no matter how little. Start from where you are and have a bigger outlook of where you want to be. Continue to put in the work daily and reinvest into the business.

Contact or follow Amal Botanicals Baby Care

Why LoA loves it….

Often the most successful brands and products are created out of a personal experience or a market need. For Zuwaira Ikharo Shuaib, she was inspired to create her business and product range for both of these reasons with the birth of her triplets and the need to find great natural skincare products for her new arrivals. She has a wealth of personal experience, essential consumer insights into what moms want for their babies, and the passion to create a brand that can deliver. Zuwaira has a big vision for her business and brand and at Lionesses of Africa, we are looking forward to seeing her achieve her goals. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa