We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Deborah Willam a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Deborah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Years ago, I developed fibroids tumors which greatly and negatively impacted my quality of life. I suspected the issue were the hair & beauty products I was using. So, I started creating my own hair products using different oils and herbs. Sadly, the tumors were too big to be cured using herbs as by the time I had surgery to have them removed, they were approximately a total of 20lbs in size.

As I was determined to never have to deal with this issue again, I took my health into my own hands, I threw out all store bought hair, skin and beauty products and predominantly used the products I had created in my kitchen on my hair, skin, and even on prosthetic (wigs) hair which I love to wear. I knew there were millions of women out there like me, who had gone through, or going through similar medical challenges and I wished to reach them through my products. I committed to creating hair, skin, beauty products made with natural and safe ingredients.

I contacted a company in Oregon to manufacture the prototypes of WIG-SANI, Hair oils. We then sold our properties, moved to the UAE (Dubai-Sharjah), worked with a manufacturer who understood the complexities involved in creating products with natural ingredients, and for 2 years, we worked together on making my dream, a reality.

The Problem
STUDIES: Nearly 80 percent of hair products tested, aimed at women contain chemicals linked to cancer, infertility and obesity, new research suggests. New studies also show that permanent hair dyes may be a cancer risk for Women. 47% of Black Women are at risk, whilst 7% of White Women are at risk.

The Solution
Ahosi Beauty products are designed with our Users’ health in mind. With safe and natural ingredients, they can be sure our products will not cause harm. For instance, Women purchase wigs and wear them directly over their hair not knowing where they’ve come from, how they’ve been handled, if they contain germs, insects, ticks or anything that could cause long term harm to them. Our Wig Sanitizer is a product which kills 99.9% of germs, refreshens and cleans the wigs so there’s no need to ruin the wigs by shampooing which may totally ruin the wigs they’ve paid a fortune for.

Deborah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Having worked in Corporate (Marketing) for years, I felt undervalued as an employee. I wanted more for myself because I was confident in my abilities and skills. Although I felt brought values to the companies I worked for, I aimed higher and better for my life. So, upon completing my Master’ degree, I moved my Son and I, as a Single Mom, from the safety of our home, family and friends in London, and moved to Orlando Florida, USA, where I knew nobody, to start afresh.

After working for a company for a couple of years, I decided to embark on investing in Real Estate properties, then I got licensed as a Real Estate Broker, in Florida, and Georgia, then later on in Dubai. Simultaneously, I was writing books under the pseudonym of EM.EM.GENESIS,and publishing them to raise funds for my Charity organization, a Florida 501c3, Educate the World Inc. which provides laptops and funding for youths in different parts of the world.

When I discovered that some of the hair & beauty brands I was using may have been causing my health problems, I started mixing oils and herbs, and using them on my hair and skin.

Once we completed manufacturing of AHOSI products, I then filed for Trademark in the UK/USA (self-filing -no attorneys involved) for some of the products. The Trademarks in both of these countries were granted.
Sadly, as we were about to introduce the products to the market, we encountered several challenges. The major one being COVID-19. Then, Procter & Gamble opposed the use of our Trademark name, AHOSI. So having to deal with these two massive challenges, held us back a lot. But I didn’t give up. I confronted Procter & Gamble head on. I didn’t shrink. I fought back, they apologized and retracted their opposition.

My advice to anyone starting a new business, if you’re passionate about your products/services, keep trying to make a success of it. Challenges will arise, sometimes, they may be present for a while, but keep fighting for your business.

I am most proud of my resolve. That I didn’t walk away when times got tough. Due to these challenges which I faced earlier which both impacted AHOSI, I’m still building and listening to what customers want. One thing for sure is that our customers love AHOSI products especially WIG-SANI, and hair oils. Our products were created with love. We want everyone using our products to know that we put thought in creating products which will not cause harm to their health. Everyone can use AHOSI products. We are a brand for everyone!!!

How’d you meet your business partner?

I met my co-founder/business partner approximately 16/17 years ago when he found my real estate website online,and was interested in a property I had for sale in Orlando. He was impressed with my determination, and the fact that I was business-oriented, global minded and a global traveler, and I was at that time, learning German – and because he’s Austrian, he was able to teach me some words (bad words though). And although, he didn’t buy said property, but we kept in touch, fell in love, and 6 months later, we got married and still married.

Although, AHOSI is mainly my business, but I couldn’t ask for a better business partner, in my husband. He was supportive when we sold our houses to fund my business, and today, he does all the accounting for AHOSI and our other businesses.

If you’re going into business with anyone, make sure you conduct a thorough investigation on that person or company, get an attorney to review any documents before you sign them, and be comfortable that you understand your position in the business.

Deciding to be self-employed, running your own business, creating products/services, is hard work but I believe it’s rewarding.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Once we completed manufacturing of AHOSI products, I then filed for Trademark in the UK/USA (self-filing -no attorneys involved) for some of the products. The Trademarks in both of these countries were granted. Sadly, as we were about to introduce the products to the market, we encountered several challenges. The major one being COVID-19. Then, Procter & Gamble opposed the use of our Trademark name, AHOSI. So having to deal with these two massive challenges, held us back a lot. But I didn’t give up. I confronted Procter & Gamble head on. I didn’t shrink. I fought back, they apologized and retracted their opposition.

My advice to anyone starting a new business, if you’re passionate about your products/services, keep trying to make a success of it. Challenges will arise, sometimes, they may be present for a while, but keep fighting for your business.

I am most proud of my resolve and resilience. That I didn’t walk away when times got tough, and although I was sad, I didn’t allow these challenges to define my business or me.. Due to these challenges which I faced earlier which both impacted AHOSI, I’m still building and listening to what customers want.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ahosibeauty.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ahosibeauty
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ahosibeauty
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ahosi-beauty/?viewAsMember=true
• Youtube: www.youtube.com/ahosibeauty
• Other: Our products are also on Amazon (they consistently receive 4.5-4.7 stars), and Walmart marketplaces. Although, we do prefer that customers visit our website at www.ahosibeauty.com