EPISODE 9: Building a Conscious Beauty Brand and Navigating Personal Wellness with Ore Runsewe of Arami Essentials

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In this episode of the Sub-Saharan Beauty Podcast, host Ijeoma Chimezie is joined by Ore Runsewe, founder of Arami Essentials, a conscious beauty brand based in Lagos, Nigeria. Ore started Arami because she wanted to understand what was on the ground in Nigeria and access beauty and wellness essentials without traveling.

We delve deeper into Ore’s WHY and how Arami is championing an empowering narrative around effective and high-quality “made in Africa” skincare brands that fit global markets. Ore also shares her perspective on the challenges for black and African beauty founders around being integrated into the larger beauty ecosystem beyond being identified as a “black-owned” brand and discusses what’s needed to realize that integration within beauty more effectively.

Tune in to hear Ore's journey of creating a business, making an impact, and changing the way Africa is perceived outside of Nigeria.

Meet the Guest

Arami was founded by Ore Runsewe in 2016 out of a strong desire to see real improvement and make a tangible impact in Africa's beauty and wellness sector. Today, Arami not only offers simple beauty solutions. The brand is centered on beauty with integrity and encouraging people to make better decisions for their body, being mindful of it as a sacred place. Additionally, the brand aims to boost awareness around the need for more sustainable business practices in Africa, locally sourced ingredients, change Africa’s underpaid labor challenges, and make a lasting impact within disadvantaged communities through their CSR initiative, ‘Mind Body Soul.’

Ore holds a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science with Business and Management from the University of Manchester, UK, an Advanced Certificate in Public Relations from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, UK, and various diplomas from The Beauty Academy, UK.