Exploring Life & Business with Deborah Willam of AHOSI BEAUTY

Today we’d like to introduce you to Deborah Willam. 

Hi Deborah, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
As a single mother with hopes of providing my son with the a better, and more prosperous life, I migrated from London, England, to Orlando, Florida, as a single 

in 2001. 

Having worked in Corporate for years, I felt undervalued as an employee. I wanted more for myself because I was confident in my abilities and skills. Although I brought values to the companies I worked for, I always felt I could do more than I was doing. So, upon completing my Master’s degree many years ago, 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. 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 (www.educatetheworldinc.org), as well as running a Virtual marketing and administrative services business (www.reibllc.com). 

A few years back, I discovered that some of the hair & beauty products I was using may have been the cause of some of the health problems I was battling, so, I created and developed hair products with natural ingredients, from my kitchen. 

In 2018, my now husband and I sold our homes, and investments in the USA, and moved to Dubai/Sharjah, UAE, to oversee the manufacturing of my Hair Care products, created with natural & safe ingredients. Thus, AHOSI BEAUTY was born. 

I was a product of the boarding school system, to which to which I give credit for instilling independence, fearlessness, and a ‘can do’ whatever I set my mind to, mentality, in me. 

Growing up, I was fortunate to have been raised by parents, and family members who showed me the value of traveling globally and interacting with many different cultures, religions, customs, languages, etc. This upbringing has made me a global citizen. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The path to success is never easy. Nothing is straightforward. I still undergo challenges.  You make mistakes, you hopefully learn, and you keep making mistakes until you get things right. My road has not been smooth at all. For example, after selling our homes in Florida and Georgia to move to Dubai (UAE) to oversee the manufacturing of my new hair and beauty products, not only did COVID put a dent in my business immediately after manufacturing was completed, but a large, global beauty company sued to stop me from using my brand name, AHOSI. So, navigating through these challenges alone was frustrating to say the least. 

Also, running your own business is an extremely FULL-TIME, 24-HOUR DAY work. You’re constantly working, even when you’re sleeping. You always have to constantly come up with creative ideas of how to do things better. That’s why it is important to enjoy what you do. It takes the pressure off. 

We’ve been impressed with AHOSI BEAUTY, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My businesses involve: AHOSI BEAUTY is a small hair& beauty brand. Our products are created with safe, natural ingredients. I traveled far and wide to find a manufacturer that would produce my hair & beauty products without using extreme ingredients and chemicals in AHOSI PRODUCTS. 

AHOSI Beauty products are created with our customers’ health in mind. Our products are made in Dubai & Oregon with the finest ingredients, and made with safe, natural ingredients. 

WE are currently focused on marketing the AHOSI BEAUTY Brand, globally. 

Although, we are a relatively new hair & beauty brand, and despite all the outside challenges we have endured in the last few years, we overcame and are still thriving. 

Our Brand name, AHOSI was inspired by real-life, historical, African female Warriors from the formerly Dahomey Kingdom, now known as Benin. 

I had always been interested in Ancient Female Warriors and Women who made impact on our World. I came across the DAHOMEY Warriors when I was conducting research for my book, Ancient Female African Warriors. 

They were also named AHOSIs hence my Hair & Beauty Brand -AHOSI BEAUTY. The story of the Women of the recent Black Panther movie was based on the AHOSIs. 

I believe Women are Warriors by nature. We navigate through life despite being overly judged on a daily basis – judged on our looks, our parenting abilities, professional life, etc. 

What was your favorite childhood memory?
My favorite childhood memory was traveling to different parts of the world, making new friends. Some of these experiences have made me who I am today.

Contact Info:

 

• Websites: www.ahosibeauty.com , www.educatetheworldinc.org
• Instagram: @ahosibeauty.com
• Facebook: @ahosibeauty.com
• Twitter: @ahosibeauty.com
• Youtube: @ahosibeauty.com