25 minute read
DRAGONS’ DEN WINNER SET FOR BRIGHT FUTURE
Kameese Davies proved a hit when she appeared on the BBC show last year. But despite walking away from a £50,000 investment, her business is set for great things
MILESTONE: Nylah’s Naturals has just launched in Boots
By Vic Motune
Asuccessful pitch on the BBC show Dragons’ Den show can catapult a business into major success. However, rejection can feel like the end of the road for ambitious entrepreneurs hoping to take their companies to the next level.
So it took a lot of courage for West Midlands entrepreneur Kameese Davis to go ahead with her decision to appear on the popular show in April last year.
Davis founded Nylah’s Naturals, an innovative vegan haircare products brand in 2013 after experiencing frustration not being able to find suitable hair products for her daughter who suffers with eczema and sensitive skin.
Since the company’s launch, it’s product range has won several industry awards for its products which help maintain Afro-textured and curly hair as well as being kind to skin.
But the entrepreneur was keen to expand the company. Davis’ Dragon’s Den appearance was hailed as one of the success stories of the show after she walked away with a £50,000 investment from dragon Sara Davies in return for 40 per cent of her business.
But what the Sandwell entrepreneur did next took as much courage as appearing on the show. Despite what she describes as a great offer, the deal with Davies was not to be.
Although the dragon’s team were happy with the Nylah’s Naturals figures at the due diligence stage of the deal, they could not agree on the terms of the contract and Davis decided to walk away.
However Nylah’s Naturals has continued to prosper and the company has just launched in Boots.
“This is a huge milestone and we are happy and grateful that Boots supports a diverse range of brands, especially businesses owned by female entrepreneurs,” says Davis.
And she says there are no regrets about her experience on Dragon’s Den or walking away from her deal.
“Dragons Den definitely boosted our brand exposure in a positive way which helped to propel us forwards” she says. “Nylah’s Naturals has not yet had significant investment in the brand, which means our product expansion has to be slow and methodical. That said, we are intending to expand into a range of styling products in the near future.” n
Kameese Davis pitches her business Nylah’s Naturals to the panel on BBC show Dragons’ Den (Pic credit: BBC/Dragons’ Den)
AN ENTREPRENEUR WITH A PASSION
U JAMAARKET (OO-JA-MARKET) is a platform dedicated to sourcing and supplying products for the African diaspora community.
The company name is a blending of the words Ujamaa and Market to form Ujamaarket. Ujamaa is Kiswahili for extended family, derived from the Arabic Jamaa, meaning community. We are a business centred around community and we want you to be a part of it.
We bring your favourite household products from back home and make it easy, so you don’t have to go hunting around for them in specialty shops or spend hours online trying to find what you need. Simply order from our online store and let us do all the work! We even deliver next day direct to your door.
Barrington is the founder and CEO of Ujamaarket and he’s an entrepreneur with a passion for making his community feel at home.
After living in the UK for several years and seeing how difficult it is to find quality food items from his home country of Jamaica. He realised that there must be other people out there who were experiencing similar issues and decided to start Ujamaarket.
At Ujamaarket we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to enjoy some of their favourite foods from back home and want every member of our community to feel like they can connect with their culture no matter where they live. We’ve been working hard to make this possible by sourcing products we know you will love, directly from local manufacturers and importing them right into your kitchen - We’re proud of our work, and we know you’ll love it too! n
So, visit us online and get the taste of back home, far away from home. Shop your favourite African Caribbean foods, seasonings, snacks, soft drinks and alcohol at: www.ujamaarket.com Email: hello@ujamaarket.com Socials @ujamaarket
Your Community Market
A convenient, ethical savings club for every community
Photo by Brandy Kennedy
Contributions, pardna, committees, esusu, ajo, ekub, hagbad, tontine — whatever you call them, ROSCAs (or Rotating Savings and Credit Associations) are a big part of life for many cultures and communities around the world.
These informal savings clubs help people build wealth with their family, friends, and communities.
They can be especially helpful to save money to get your business idea off the ground.
Why are ROSCAs still so popular?
There are three key reasons that ROSCAs are so popular:
• Trust — people save with their families, friends, and communities, whom they trust more than financial institutions • Tradition — people have been using informal savings clubs for generations, proving their worth time after time • Convenience — it’s often easier to share and save money with people close to you.
At their heart, ROSCAs enable people to save for what really matters to them. Whether it’s travel, personal savings, or investing in your own business, savings clubs help communities, cultures, and traditions flourish.
Why use an app for your savings club?
Setting up a savings club can be tricky. You need to decide who to invite, how much each person should contribute, and how you’re going to collect and pay out the money.
But even when you know how to start a rotating savings club, managing it can be a headache. First, there’s tracking who’s paid in. Then there’s making sure you have enough money in the pot for the next payout. Then there’s chasing up late payments and collecting money from around town.
Using a ROSCA app makes the whole process easier. With Bloom’s ROSCA app, all the information you need is stored in one place — and contribution collections and payouts happen automatically.
Do you need a ROSCA app?
People all over the world have used ROSCAs to save money for centuries — without an app. It’s a trusted, traditional way to save — which is why ROSCAs are so popular in growing UK communities.
But using a ROSCA app makes saving money safer, simpler, and more accessible to communities all over the UK.
So how does Bloom’s ROSCA app work — and how can it make your savings club easier to manage?
7 ways Bloom can help you manage your savings club better
1. Bloom makes it safe to send and receive money
Dealing in cash is a big risk — especially when you’re collecting and holding other people’s money.
Bloom is a much safer place to keep your money. You can send and receive money online, reducing the risk of theft and money loss.
2. Set up a savings club with anyone in the UK
All you need to join a Bloom Circle is a UK bank account. That means you can create a savings club with people all over the country — without having to travel to collect or deliver cash.
It’s a super convenient way to make sure communities across the UK can thrive and save for what matters most — whether it’s travel, education, or building intergenerational wealth for their families.
3. There’s no need for the notebook
With Bloom, all your payments — incoming and outgoing — are recorded and displayed clearly in the app. They’re also scheduled automatically, so you don’t need to track contributions in a notebook.
4. Save with up to 10 friends or family members
Bloom enables you to save with up to 10 people from across the UK in a single savings club. You can also be part of multiple committees if you want to save with different groups of friends.
Photo by Thoughts Catalog
manage your money
Bloom tells you when ROSCA contributions are due to be taken from your current account. This helps everyone manage their money better, and ensure they have enough money to keep contributing to the savings club. As the savings club organiser, you’ll also be notified when payouts are scheduled.
7. Protect your accounts from fraud and identity theft
Financial safety is our top priority — so we use fraud prevention software and ID verification partners trusted by the world’s biggest banks. These services protect your money and your identity from fraudsters.
5. Only invite trusted savers to your ROSCA
You don’t need to worry about people you don’t know accessing your money. Bloom allows you to invite specific people to your savings club, keeping your group small and secure.
Visit us at: www.bloommoney.co to join the waitlist and be the first to know when Bloom Money is available in the App Store and Google Playstore.
Minimalistic where less is more
While looking for Christmas wrapping paper with a Black Father Christmas, I discovered a gap in the mainstream greeting cards and gift industry as there were very limited products that represent Black and ethnic (minority*) people.
The products that I could source were either in the USA or looked dated. As a professional graphic designer, I knew that this was something that I could change and set about creating products that would celebrate Black and minority communities through arts and culture. Modern society is multi-cultural, and I think it’s important for all people to see themselves represented throughout society.
My approach to artistic expression is subtle, minimalistic where less is more, and I was intentional about choosing a name that both represented this aesthetic and people of the African Diaspora. I settled on the name ‘Sanaa’, a Swahili word meaning ‘work of art’ which is an apt description of how I see myself and Black people. Through the products created and sold through Sanaa, it’s a reminder that we are created as masterpieces.
The thought of starting a business was daunting but having travelled across Australia shortly before starting Sanaa Gift Shop, I had learned that being outside of my comfort zone and persistence pays off. I was uncomfortable being comfortable and decided that a 9-5 job was not for me and upon my return to the UK, dabbled in freelance whilst building my business.
My cousin and motivational speaker Cordell Jeffers was really supportive in encouraging me to follow my dreams. A family member introduced me to the Prince’s Trust through which I received support to start my business, and their amazing staff continue to open doors for me as my business develops.
Our products meet an underserved niche in the gifts and stationery market. I believe that Sanaa Gift Shop can make a difference to how Black people see themselves and how we’re represented in modern society. Through the power of positive imagery and the celebration of Black culture that can be seen in our premium quality gifts, Sanaa Gift Shop provides a more inclusive shopping experience. n
MINIMALISTIC WHERE LESS IS MORE DREAMS CAN COME TRUE
It all started 4 years ago, I was frustrated with my local retailers not being able to provide me with jewellery that would complement my style. I liked oversize, bold, unusual statement jewellery that would make my outfits stand out and become a talking point for some.
All I can remember is having these reoccurring dreams for about a year and I saw metal wire soft enough to be twisted and turn and then it was put on the neck of a mannequin. I remembered thinking “what is this” but more of the same images of twisted wire kept on coming in. I remember thinking I can’t make jewellery, I have never attempted too either, so why does this same dream keep reoccurring. Then one day I met up with a friend and I felt to share with her my reoccurring dream and she simply said it these words “it’s God telling you to do something so just go and buy the tools and start making” I laughed my head off and I said “just like that” and she said “Yes just like that”. And so I literately did. I watched YouTube videos, tutorials on Instagram etc on what to purchase, I looked for the right tools and obtained a starter kit. I also used all the different avenues online to looked for what sort of wire I would require, and I purchased them. I practiced and practiced (still practicing today) of how to create shapes using the tools (pliers) and the rest is HISTORY. I self-taught some of my techniques which I now use today and I began to fly. I went through stages where I thought I wasn’t good enough and my products weren’t strong enough but that was my own fears and insecurities. I continued to study my craft and sometimes I made mistakes which birthed another idea to create a better design, strengthen the designs and even tested the durability of the designs which I could share with my customers it was awesome.
The mistakes were my game changers many times and whilst I made so many mistakes, wasted loads of wire and money trying things out, this became my school of mastering my craft and designs. I had a moto “THERE ARE NO RULES with wire, just create and Be Creative. The self doubt was real but I never let it distort what I knew in my heart was going to be a part of the journey. Then the unthinkable happened to me, I started posting my jewellery online and the enquiries and orders started coming in! It was unbelievable!!!! So, I created the business name on my Social Media handles, linked up with other handmade makers, wire jewellery designers, followed their pages, subscribed to their channels and learnt from them all. I have enjoyed the whole journey it’s been so fulfilling, purposeful, creative and exciting. It has taught me this and I quote “There are known gifts that we all have but there are hidden gifts that only come out when they are pursued and it’s those gifts that are phenomenal”. n
NIYO HAIR AND BEAUTY
Oyinkansola Adebayo runs Niyo Group, a group of multi-award-winning companies that specialise in using technology to economically empower black women. This organisation currently has three brands: Niyo Hair and Beauty,
Niyo Dapp, and Niyo Bootcamps
Her work has been recognised in BBC News, The Voice, Metro, Black Beauty, and many more. She has also won many awards including Great British Fashion & Beauty Entrepreneur of the year, and Female Innovator of the year. She is particularly passionate about addressing poverty, especially amongst Black women,
and using disruptive and high-value tools to transform the lives of black women across the world.
Niyo Hair and Beauty is a technology-driven afro hair and beauty e-commerce platform that services over 1000 clients across the UK whilst economically empowering hairstylists through an academy to get accredited.
Its aim is to Empower black women through technology, hair, and beauty services. Its a one stop shop for all healthy afro hair and beauty needs.
Imagine a world where black and ethnic minority women have access to quality hair care products, research driven hair care routines, and technology driven hair and beauty service solutions. No need to imagine anymore.
At Niyo Hair and Beauty, we are changing the quality of black and ethnic minority hair experience through technology driven solutions.
We are excited to also introduce the upcoming Hair and Beauty Academy. Our Niyo Hair and Beauty Academy is going to be a training ground set to start in January, for aspiring hairdressers who are passionate and serious about making a sustainable Business and/or career within the Hair and Beauty industry. This Academy will teach all of the Black Hairdressing skills needed to become a qualified and accredited professional hair stylist.
Niyo Hair and Beauty is a global destination that allows for hair and beauty enthusiasts to book and buy hair and beauty products and services with specialists at the comfort of their home all around an empowering, fun and interactive community.
USERS WILL BE ABLE TO:
Slay: book various hair and beauty appointments Play: Learn hair and beauty techniques virtually or physically even to a professional and accredited level Care: Purchase tools, hair extensions, products and
accessories on demand.
We are currently focusing on the Care and play part of the vision with our new premium 1st of its kind afro hair and beauty accredited academy with world leading stylists at the heart of Birmingham!. n
Website: www.niyohairandbeauty.com SOCIAL MEDIA: Instagram : @niyohairnbeauty Pintress: @niyohairandbeauty TikTok: @Niyo.group
www.herconnecthub.com
Multiply your success!
Mr Numbervator is Isaac Anoom, and there is only one Mr . Numbervator! Mr Numbervator was invented over 25 years ago in response to underachievement in maths that I saw in most schools I visited as a Maths Advisor then later as a Maths Consultant. Teaching was poor and boring, there was no motivation for the children to do well and achievement in the BAME community was very low and very sad even though these young people had the brain and ability.
My mission, my aim, my determination was to change the script and prove to the educational authorities that with the right passion and right engagement our children could be successful. The way forward for me was to affect policy, thinking, aspirations so that teaching became more meaningful, exciting and worthwhile.
Then there was TeachersTV who wanted me to write and present maths television programmes, then came the big one - BBC1. I recorded hundreds of maths shows. I used this opportunity to develop teacher training seminars, workshops and sessions.
Now my days are filled with exciting visits to schools and doing demo lessons for teachers and ECT’s to watch, parents maths training sessions, TA maths training and the best of all jobs is teaching children and young people, giving them that confidence and hope for their fu-
tures.
I run breakfast maths clubs and after school maths clubs for high achieving young mathematicians and I also run girls only/ boys only maths sessions.
The partnership between Sovereign comics and me has allowed me to reach more young people, through the Mr Numbervator Maths Comics where I am teaching maths in the comic format to entice and interest our young people. The team is made up of Paul Nelson, Dean Richards and myself and we are 3 black men with the vision of making impact on children’s learning inside the classroom and outside. The most exciting development is my weekly maths radio show where I get to teach maths to a wider audience. It’s free and this means all can listen in and receive top quality teaching. I have a monthly maths quiz with prizes and teachers call in to get advice about teaching. n
If anyone would like teacher school Inset, teacher training days, maths days for the whole school, maths trails, TA training, maths training sessions for parents, maths masterclasses for GCSE pupils, SAT’s preparation, ECT support and please call me on : 07535 644 850 or email: dr_nosezit@hotmail.com. Why not call into the radio show. Let’s make maths the best subject to learn. Isaac Anoom – Mr Numbervator
A Selection of Spiritual Messages for Women
Spiritual Author
Over 20 years of journaling brought these messages into existence. Come to the present moment, the energy of the words and the messages that came through has made me realise that this has to be shared. These messages can help support and empower others – empower women to learn and grow and understand themselves. And so…
“Messages from the Divine Mother” was born.
Messages From The Divine Mother is no ordinary book. It is an authentic, undiluted communication between the reader and the Divine Mothers energy. You will feel your heart warmed by the words, your soul lifted and comforted. You will feel elated and loved.
It gives answers to questions that you may never have thought you had. It gives guidance to anything that you may be facing with truthful but direct, always loving answers.
It is a daily reminder of who you are and the unconditional divine love that we all share. Messages From The Divine Mother is a “goto” book that you would want to have with you at all times.
It is here to give women the permission to love themselves and be the true essence of who they are.
http://www.messagesfromdivinemother.com/ info@messagesfromdivinemother.com https://www.instagram.com/messagesfromdivinemother/
Spiritual Coach
I am a born Jamaican who has lived in the UK since early childhood. Spirituality has always been at the forefront and an important part of my life.
I lead a range of workshops, online, and in person as a Certified Coach recognised by The International Coaching Federation (ICF). In order to best serve others, my “Harmony Technique” uniquely integrates coaching, mentoring, intuition, and spirituality. I fervently urge adults, teenagers, and small business owners to discover who they are and have fulfilling lives. Even after many years of teaching, my love for children still serves as the motivation for my work. I work with young people as a coach to help them find their unique talents and voices.
https://deebuchanan.co.uk/ https://www.facebook.com/dee.buchanan.16/ https://www.instagram.com/dharmony_coach/
The future of African Fragrances
Abiodun Balogun born and raised in Deptford South London launched Alade Perfume in the winter of 2020, October 2021 saw the release of two limited edition perfumes from their private collection. A Lions Kiss and 7pm In Lagos.
The monumental duo represents African culture and heritage in a way never seen before in fragrance. A Lions Kiss is smooth and consistent with a powerful dry down & 7pm In Lagos is vibrant, well executed and innovative. The Private Collection is limited, & only 250 bottles of each beautiful scent has been created.
Social media handles are as follows: Instagram: @ALADEPERFUME Twitter: @ALADEPERFUME Facebook: Alade Perfume Website: www.alade.co.uk
DR SHARON BELMO DERMATOLOGY:
London private dermatology clinic with a focus on Black skin and hair.
Dr Sharon Belmo is a UK trained consultant dermatologist and one of very few Black dermatologists in the country. She obtained her medical degree from the University of Dundee in 2006 and completed dermatology specialist training at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, a national centre of excellence for dermatology.
With over 15 years of NHS experience, Dr Belmo has now opened a first of its kind private dermatology clinic, Dr Sharon Belmo Dermatology, based on Harley Street, London, focusing primarily on Black skin and hair loss conditions.
Background
Scottish by birth, Ghanaian by heritage and English by residence, Dr Sharon Belmo believes that her life experiences have driven her unquestionable passion for promoting diversity in medicine. Her NHS experience exposed her to inequalities Black people face both in primary care and hospital dermatology, with clinicians not understanding or being taught the nuances of Black skin and hair. This led Dr Belmo to write and introduce the first ever dermatology for skin of colour syllabus for the UK dermatology specialist training curriculum in 2021; setting a precedence for all future dermatologists’ experience and training in darker skin tones. Dr Belmo is a passionate advocate for equality in healthcare for all. She is very much involved in dermatology for skin of colour education for healthcare professionals, and the mentoring of young Black dermatologists in training.
Specialist Interests
Dr Belmo specialises in skin of colour and hair loss, particularly Black skin and hair, treating a number of conditions such as acne, hyperpigmentation, eczema, razor bumps, DPN, CCCA and traction alopecia. She is one of the only Black dermatologists in the UK and the only Black dermatologist to run a private clinic that focuses on Black skin and hair. She has undergone additional training in
ethnic skin and hair in Paris and the US. She is the founder and clinical lead of the Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology Skin of Colour Resource, a resource developed to educate healthcare professionals about skin and hair loss conditions in darker skin tones. Dr Belmo is the medical advisor to the Scarring Alopecia Foundation UK CCCA support group, a hair loss condition that almost exclusively affects Black women. She has authored a skin of colour chapter in the textbook, dermatology training: the essentials. She has presented at national and international conferences, regularly lectures, and publishes work pertaining to skin of colour in medical journals. She also runs inMYskin; an instagram image bank developed with the aim to increase representation of skin of colour in medical resources. Dr Belmo very much welcomes image submission from the public.
Dr Sharon Belmo Dermatology, located at 107 Harley Street, London, is a private general dermatology clinic specialising in Black skin and hair needs. All major private health insurance providers are accepted. n
For more information visit: www.drsharonbelmo.com, email: info@drsharonbelmo.com or call 07709447218. For us by us
In MY SKin
Ever wondered how a specific skin condition looks in YOUR skin tone?
There is a lack of representation of skin conditions in skin of colour. It is time that medical images are more inclusive.
WE NEED YOUR IMAGES!
We are looking to collect images of skin conditions in skin of colour.
If you have been diagnosed with a skin condition and wish to submit your image to the @inMYskin Instagram image bank, please contact: inmyskinimages@gmail.com All submissions require a diagnosis by a doctor and must be sent with a signed disclaimer. Contact: inmyskinimages@gmail.com to obtain
THE FUTURE IS GREEN. THE FUTURE IS MORINGA
INTRODUCTION
The Moringa Family Group, in its mission to become the first Moringa Farm to grow, produce and distribute high quality Moringa, Sea Moss and other superfood products in Grenada. We aim to set up a steady agricultural supply chain with spin-off effects. These in turn will create an economic multiplier by way of providing a sustainable source of income, employment and educational leverage for local farmers and the communities of Grenada.
ABOUT US
The Moringa Family Group started in 2016 and later incorporated in the State of Grenada in September 2018. We are proud to specialise in the growth and nurture of Grenadian Moringa, as well as sourcing Sea Moss from the St Davids parish of Grenada. The volcanic soil and calm, clean waters of Grenada are ideal climatic conditions that produce fruit and vegetables with high nutrient profiles. Our competitive advantage is built on high quality and reliability. Few companies can boast of providing an agricultural product straight from the source, as growers and producers.
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The main objective of The Moringa Family Group is to grow and market Moringa, Sea Moss and other superfoods and its potential value-added products globally. In addition, the expertise acquired is the basis for consultancy projects and assist farmers to create long term income and combat malnutrition and poverty.
THE FUTURE IS GREEN. THE FUTURE IS MORINGA
PRODUCTS
The Moringa Family specialises in harvesting and milling the organically grown Moringa leaves from our own farms. We are excited by our growing range of products and moreover the positive impact each of these products will have on people’s health now and in years to come. We love to educate people about sustaining optimal health now and going forward.
