•As They Talk About Their Success Story
Oriflame Sweden is a multinational company that has been in existence for about 55 years. And it came into the Nigerian market 7 years ago. It is a company that specialises in the production and marketing of cosmetics and beauty products for women. They made their emergence into the Nigerian market, starting with a handful of founding members. But today, the organisation and its products have become household names in the country with thousands of members spread all over, with the effect that nearly every 7 out 10 women in Nigeria now know about Oriflame.
What makes this brand so attractive for women is the fact that, apart from its unique quality that’s been testified to by millions of women who have used it, you can also make humongous money from the products by selling them to others and signing them on to become part of the Oriflame family. This way, you can begin to earn big money from Oriflame every end of the month.
Last week, City People Publisher SEYE KEHINDE led a powerful team made up of DAMILOLA, OLAOLU & JIMMY to speak to the 7 founding partners of Oriflame Sweden in Nigeria. They all shared their various experiences and why they advise every woman with a desire to be financially independent to join the Oriflame family. It is very revealing.
KEMISOLA AJETUNMOBI
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Kemisola Ajetunmobi, I am the number one leader with Oriflame Nigeria and also one of the founding members of Oriflame Nigeria.
How do you feel after 7 years of working with Oriflame Nigeria?
It is like starting something new. It was scary at first and I was not sure of what was going to happen. One of the assurances I had then was that it was a brand from Sweden that had received lots of accolades when I checked online so I decided to go in. One of the things that motivated me to go in was the fact that it was not so much of a risk. It was a business I was supposed to start with 10,000 naira. I started it and felt like if I don’t sell those products I will use them after all I am a woman so, I bought it. When I bought it and put it out there people loved it and I sold everything. That energised me to leverage on the power of social media. That helped me blow up my business within a short period of time.
What challenges do you face with new products and advertising?
Actually a lot of people will say they don’t know about a particular brand so Oriflame as a brand does a lot of product education. We sensitize people a lot, one of the selling points for us is that our products are all natural. Sweden is known for safety when it comes to ingredients, we use natural ingredients, so a lot of people are trying to move away from chemically enhanced beauty to natural beauty, they want safe products. So, when they meet our brand and we are able to explain to them they tend to accept it so that solves the problems for us.
What message do you have for people out there?
What I am going to say is this; When Oriflame started, a lot of people came to sign downstairs. We were 200 or more but as at today out of those 200 that signed up it is just 7 of us that are here today trying to celebrate the 7 standing in 7 years. So what I will say is whatever you are doing, it is not about coming first or hearing about the opportunity first. It is about what you do with it and your committment. A lot of people got to know about this opportunity even 6 years after and they are doing better than those that started from the onset. It is all about you. That is one thing about Oriflame, you come in, see the business plan, personalise it, work with it and determine what you want to do with it. That way, nobody can stop you, not even the owner of Oriflame.
PATRICIA OLADAPO EGBADON
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Patricia Oladapo Egbadon and I am an Oriflame board director and I am a founding member.
Tell us how the story started 7 years ago?
I always say “I am a woman from the factory who came into cosmetics business. This is something that was strange to me because I came from the industry like a printing press. I came across Oriflame when I was contacted by the former MD when the company was about to be launched. I was invited to present what I do, when I came I met a lot of men and women so I became inquisitive and asked what it was all about. I was told about what was about to happen in Nigeria so I told them I wanted to be a part of it. I was told I had to register as a founding member and I attended the founding members training. From there, I started having other thoughts; I kept buying the products because I fell in love with it. I later found out that I was losing a lot by just buying them to use so I got more interested in knowing how to make money with it. Now I am making money and having fun because the company actually promised me that I will look great, have more money and I will have so much fun. I think I have benefitting from in all and I am still looking up to more.
What message do you have for everyone out there?
With Oriflame, I have been able to set up for myself what I call “Pat Inspire” so I carved out a charitable organisation from it. Today, I am able to inspire so many women, I am lost in the route on inspiring people. I will tell every woman out there that Oriflame is the place to be not just because of the money, the looking good aspect or the fun we have but because of what I call retirement plan. This is for the future. Oriflame will help you reach whereever you want to reach because it is a company that is all about you, your growth and your journey to your desired goal.
So, I will say don’t miss out, reach out to some of our founding members and see why we have kept up with the company for 7 years and we are not stopping in many years to come. Please come and join this our company and lets rule our lives together.
FRANCA EGUNDEBI
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Franca Egundebi and I am a brand partner with Oriflame. I have been here for 7 years as a founding member. I am priviledged. Not so many people can say the same. Quite a number of us started and it is good to be here today.
How did working with Oriflame start for you?
I was with them from a very first day, I was starting a new life. It was something new, something different its not what I was used to. I was used to just waking up and going to the salon and making hair for people. This opportunity came and a chance for me to be a better version of myself. I always want to be someone who could impact onto others, to help people start something new. For me it was a big chance to get out thre and meet people. It is more than the money for me it is about the impact.
How did it all start for you?
It was actually a founding members training, we had the opportunity to attend the meeting. At the opportunity meeting I went to buy a lipstick, I was not interested in the business opportunity then I got an e-mail telling me to come for founding members training and so the big wow for me was when I saw the level of organisation I saw how neat it all was and I wanted to be a part of something so neat and genuine.
How have you been able to build the business?
It is not always rosy, so that is when your tenacity comes in. For you to be able to do this business, you must have an edge and know what you want. So because I knew what I wanted and I always say so to myself that I was going to use this business to reach out to hundreds of women, this made me go all out.
Can you tell the women out there what they are missing?
This is what you are missing, I used to be that woman who graduated with a Bachelor of Technology in Industrial Chemistry in Federal University of Technology, Bauchi now known as Abubaka Tafawa Balewa University. So it was a 5 year course and I came out of school expecting big things. When they see that you read Industrial Chemistry you begin to imagine industries and big things but coming to Nigeria of today; I ended up in a salon making hair and then I thought of standing for hours and then not being able to gather 3 thousand naira.
In a day. I got this opportunity and thought it as a way to do something big. It was good because my very first month changed everything for me. When the money came in I knew I belonged here and it has been very rosy.
What were the ups and downs you faced?
The ups and downs of the business is normal, every business has its challenges. It must face its challenges but how you are able to over come these challenges is important. When you do that in this business and you carry your team along you will keep on growing.
MRS. KATE UDOK
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Mrs. Kate Udok, I am the Customer Care Service Manager here at Oriflame Nigeria. We are a beautiful company and we love our brand partners. For us, beauty is everything and we believe in looking good and feeling good.
What happens here at Oriflame Nigeria?
Lots of women in Nigeria are going through a lot because of the economy. This is a beautiful opportunity. For me as a Customer Care Manager, the joy on their faces when you see them come in is fulfilling. You see people who are pure water sellers, bag and shoes sellers and they come in here and they are cashing out good money because they come in excited.
Some of them had skin issues and we are able to identify a brand that can solve all the problems. For us here at Oriflame, looking good, feeling good has made it a very happy place.
It is a community where women find sisters and friends. They get to travel all over the world. For me fixing the problem is very easy. They come in very warm, there is a family bond here. We don’t see them as strangers but as family. The interesting part of my experience is the growth, you come here and see a woman who came in here with her children and then tomorrow you see her drive in a beautiful CRV, Honda or a 2019 Mercedes Benz. So, you can relate with their story and can see them, so every number for us is the story being told and I am glad to be here to be able to be a part of it.
What do you have to say to women out there?
To the women out there, you can do anything. You can be anything, you can start up with 10,000 naira and be a millionaire in 6 months. All you need to do is to put your mind in it and guess what? At Oriflame, there are training, you have everything you need including online tools. You just need internet access and I mean it in 3 months you will come back and thank me. Start with where you are, 5,000 to 10,000, pick one or 2 products because your customers will come back looking for you. These are quality products so you don’t need to worry about marketing. Once they use it, once they become hooked on it. So, they will come back so it makes it seamless for you. You can earn more and more and become big.
If you like money like all of us, for me I am a customer service person but I can tell you all about the products because the biggest happiness for me here is seeing people progress from one level to another.
How was it for you when you were transferred from where you were to where you are now?
This is very beautiful because I used to be at GIG Logistics as the Customer Service Manager, there but I wanted to come to the company where there would be a full supply chain. Here in Oriflame, the manufacturers patent their products. Logistics is just helping with the last man. But here, I am getting the experience of knowing how it is manufactured, dealing with the skin research team and having colleagues all around the world you can interact with. You know Oriflame Nigeria is 7 years but this is a company that has been around for 55 years so there is nothing they haven’t gone through. Then the warmth of the people, they are so interested in seeing you learn and I can tell you it is not a mistake, I am here for the long run, I am happy here and this is something that is big for me. You can now point in the standard and see the challenges in Africa and other parts of the world so we are moving around Africa but we keep Nigeria number one as the pacesetter. So working here is not just about the money. Yes, money is good but then you work and you see improvement in peoples lives.
Sometimes getting a job is not all about taking a pay home but about changing lives. The togetherness is also there no matter how hard a day is, the joy and the warmth are exciting for us.
SYBIL NWOGBE
Tell us about yourself?
I am Madam Sybil Nwogbe. I am a Senior Director with Oriflame Nigeria. I am also one of the standing founding members of Oriflame Nigeria.
What was the reason for joining Oriflame Nigeria?
In the beginning, I was a graduate in search of a job 4 years after graduating. I got to know about Oriflame from my sister-in-law that works with Oriflame Sweden, when they were coming to Nigeria I was invited to be one of the founding members.
When it came we saw the business opportunity, after all the explanation we decided that there was no risk involved that was when I decided to join the business. As at that time, the registration fee was 1,200 and you can start with 10,000. I started the business with the hope that all the promises they made will come to pass, to the glory of God all they promised and even more was fulfilled.
Tell us about the growth you have experienced in the past years.
As somebody that graduated for the past 5 years as a Chemical Engineer without a job and nothing to show for it in Nigeria, when I joined this company my life was transformed. The first month I became a Senior Manager and the payment was awesome. Courtesy of this company, I have been able to travel out of this country, I could only boast of going to the Benin Republic while I was in school. Having to fly out of Nigeria abroad was Oriflame. We went to Spain in 2015, and Sweden in 2016. Courtesy of Oriflame I have a property here in Lagos, my life really changed within the shortest period of time. I tell people that Oriflame is the best thing that has happened to me and Nigeria as a whole. It has been awesome and I thank God I have been doing it. Basically, this is my only source of income and it is taking care of me and my family. We don’t have any extra needs, Oriflame is there to foot all our bills.
What is your message to women out there?
I will say this is the best business anybody can do whether you are a stay at home mum, working-class or a student, this is the best business you can do. The product is exceptional, the business plan is wonderful and Oriflame is talk and do. There is no promise that was made that has not come to pass.
All you need to do is to be consistent. For the past 7 years, I joined this company, I have been doing my business and God has been doing his own work. So to anyone out there who is looking for what to do and how to earn extra income, Oriflame Sweden is the best business to join. Sign up with us, we have been here standing for 7 years in Nigeria and Oriflame is 55 years in the world, that is amazing. Join us to day and you will never regret it.
KUNLE AYUBA
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Kunle Ayuba a founding member of Oriflame Nigeria.
How was it like starting this business?
For me, like a man doing this business, it was not easy because a lot of people made jest of me saying it was a business meant for women because it require selling lipsticks, powder and the likes. Aside from all of this I saw the opportunities in the business, it was a business that came to empower a lot of people and help them fulfil their dreams.
How did you see the possibility of success in working with Oriflame?
I am actually a Computer Engineer so I do a lot of things online so when I first heard about Oriflame Nigeria, I made some research online. This is a business one can start with low start-up capital. We have a lot of businesses in Nigeria but the challenge is start-up capital which requires expensive capital and some of these businesses don’t have varieties of products. I believe that with this it will move in Nigeria because if you cannot go for product A you can go for product B.
Oriflame which means a lot of people will see what they want. Come to think of it, this is cosmetic and everybody uses it, if you wake up in the morning you use soap to bath and apply body cream. Men use perfume so it is a business people will love. Also if you notice women you will realise they prefer to look good before they even eat. Those were the things I saw that made me go into this business. I also met a guy from Tanzania who told me that it is a ladies business and it will move. The interesting thing is that we have a lot of men who are also successful in this business. I have my own testimony too because Oriflame has impacted a lot of lives which I also count myself as one of them.
How has the past 7 years been for you in this business?
It has been 7 years of dream fulfilment for me. For instance, I had my first international trip courtesy of Oriflame. I travelled to Spain and Morocco back then. Also, I have developed personally, Oriflame’s set of training has developed me personally. With this, I have a lot of development now that I can speak in a large gathering and can relate with people. So, all these training have helped me in dealing with my friends, and family members.
What is your message to people reading this?
Oriflame is touching and changing lives. The testimonies abound as you see it everywhere you can make research on Oriflame and see all the testimonies. This is a business for everyone, we have household products that everyone needs. It also offers your extra income. It does not stop you from doing whatever you are doing, you can do the two together. Technology has also made things easier because with your phone you can set up your business. Some people are seeing it for the first time and that is because I do my business online when customers pick up a product it can be sent to any part of Nigeria. This means that anybody can do it anywhere in the country.
SANDRA ESIOGENE ABOHWO
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Sandra Esiogene Abohwo, I am a Senior Director with Oriflame Sweden Nigeria. I am a mother of a beautiful girl.
Can you tell us your success story?
I am a family member with Oriflame Nigeria, I joined Oriflame the very first day it was launched here. It was on October 2nd, 2014. I knew about Oriflame Sweden but I was out of the country so one of my friends told me about Oriflame’s program here in Nigeria. I went there and they flung their gates open for me. I attended the program and they issued me a certificate as the founding member.
It was during the period of the Ebola outbreak. So systems were shutting down, we did not open after the event. When Ebola subsided we opened officially on October 2nd, 2014 so we are exactly 7 years this month.
How has the story gone ever since?
My story has been upward ever since and when this pandemic started again there was a bit of set back in business but it is picking up again and we thank God. The last 7 years has been one of financial freedom, time freedom and a jolly good ride. We are into cosmetics, what we do is we use the products and then we tell friends and family to use it. We have a beautiful catalogue that sells itself whether you are showing it offline or online. You show the catalogues and get orders, when you get orders you make an immediate profit. You get products from the company with a 23% discount as a consultant when you sell at the catalogue price you make a 30% profit.
It is not only by selling the product but you can make a profit by signing in people to Oriflame. Our products are not sold in the free market because it is a distinctive right we have. Our products can only be gotten from Oriflame registered consultants to prevent imitation. If we put our product on the shelves they cannot explain themselves to you and they can be there forever. But when you get it from a consultant, the consultant can tell you about the products in full detail. Also, it is not just selling the product that gives me money, when I invite my friends and family I build an organisation where I am the MD of and I earn off everything my organisation purchases at the end of the month. We work from the 1st of the new month to the 30th or 31st and get paid on the 1st of the next month.
So by January when everyone complains about not getting paid we at Oriflamers are getting paid. During the lockdown, we were doing our business and getting paid. When I build my network I get paid that is different from what I sell every day. The opportunity to travel the world came through this company. We went to 4 cities on 2 continents, we also went on a celebrity ship cruise on silhouette and reflection, it was only via Oriflame that I was able to go on that trip. I would not have been able to go on my own, I don’t know how I would have paid for such. It was a ship of about 14-15 decks, they spoilt us silly, the first deck was filled with all types of food that we eat round the clock. We went to parks and played awesome games, it is a fantastic opportunity and if you think you have seen it all with Oriflame. I have seen people that have never dreamt of getting on the plane before in their lives and they travelled for the first time in their lives on an international trip. The first time we had an event in Nigeria it was at Eko Hotel & Suite.
So anytime we have conferences we go to dream destinations. We don’t stay in less than 5-star hotel and all we do is just use the products and get our families and friends to use it and build a network. We grow from consultant to president and the money is crazy. You get cash awards. If you close a particular title you get a cash award. For instance, this month, if you join us, anyone, that buys as little as 15,000, you that brought the person will get paid 19,000 so if I recruit 50 people I am making money. We also get to win accessories they spoil us. We earn it, so this is the place to be.
It is your everyday thing, we tell people to come and use natural products as everyone is turning to herbal products. You need your skin for a whole lifetime so this is the time to pamper it. The skin around your face is different from the skin on your body so you need to use the right products to keep your body in shape.
How did you come up with the same way of public speaking as well as other pioneers?
Well, it is the business because the business is all about talking. A closed mouth is a closed destiny, if you want to do this business you must know how to talk. You don’t have to be crowd shy or camera shy, we do a lot of training online and offline. Also when you see this success plan you are driven to do more.
NWAMAKA UDENIGWE
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Nwamaka Udenigwe. I am the Leadership Development Manager, Oriflame Sweden. What I do is to work with brand partners so as to support them with training and how to carry out their day to day field activities. I also have my team members who are access managers who are located in different cities.
What opportunities exist at Oriflame Sweden?
With Oriflame Swedeen, so many opportunities exist. It will interest you to know that we are currently 7 years in Nigeria and in 7 years, we have empowered thousands of people in Nigeria. We have more than 60,000 families who are doing this business and earn monthly. The opportunity there for us is to join the business by using the product, you can join and sell too. By selling you earn a discount for as high as 30% or you join to be a builder. Being a builder there are benefits you enjoy which comes from the profit you get from selling, the monthly payment you get and you have the opportunity to travel the world with Oriflame. So this is where you enjoy all the benefits in Oriflame.
Is this business a female thing only as I see a lot of women around?
Our business is actually for both the male and female. When you talk about beauty and cosmetics, you see that the feminine gender is more particular about it but for the business, we have both men and women doing it but women have the higher population.
To people out there, what would you like to tell them?
For us, our brand is a beauty by Sweden, and for us, it means that beauty is not just by the way you look but by the way you live and feel. That is why we have products that enhance your beauty and business opportunities that will help you live and feel your best. Because we believe that everyone has the right to live their dream that is why we brought this opportunity to you. Currently, in 7 years do you know that we have paid out more than 6 billion to Nigerians. What this signifies is their monthly earning imagine we gave out this amount of money in 7 years, if more people can join us and take advantage of this, this means that we are making huge impacts on families out there.
For people who are interested, what do they need to do?
For those who are interested, the first thing that comes is your “Yes” and being willing to stay consistent to your dream. You can reach out to any of our founding members or our website so they can get you registered to this business. They will also support you on what you need to do, we have a system and training that will help you start it strong.
BESTY ANDREW
Can you introduce yourself?
I am Betsy Andrew, I am one of Oriflame Nigeria Founding Members.
How did it all start for you?
I was just a young lady who was in search of a job. I came to Lagos from Benin in search of a job and nothing was forthcoming. I saw an advertisement online about Oriflame Sweden launching in Nigeria and based on my background as a Christian I seize every opportunity that comes my way. I went to the launching and saw the white men from Sweden and I asked them what it was about and they explained what it was about. I saw the picture and I asked how I was going to run with the business, they gave me a catalogue to show people and he told me “life is not in a straightforward form, it is in a zig-zag form”. I never understand what he meant until later on. I bought the catalogue that day and with the way, I was asking questions the white man saw leadership skills in me and made me a founding member. I was hungry for success so I made a lot of people join the business.
This was me looking for a 20,000 job just to feed but at the end of the month which was October 2014, I got an alert of 40,000 naira in my bank.
The second month I got another alert of 126,000 naira and then I felt this was worth doing.
From there it kept on increasing from 300,000 to 400,000 and I kept on growing in the business.
The business is not all about making it at once, it is a long term thing because I actually wanted to build the business for a long time, it is not something I just wanted to make money from, I also wanted personal development and growth. It is all about what I have become and not what I got.
I can go anywhere and speak confidently, I was a very shy person but now I can speak anywhere. It has helped everywhere I go to. A lot of people see network marketing as something you just bring people and make money. Personal growth makes it worth doing because you can use it anywhere. It is an opportunity that has given birth to other opportunities, I can establish anything I want based on my knowledge in this business. I am also grateful to God for this opportunity because through this I was able to travel out, in my life I did not plan that. With this company I have been able to travel to 4 continents, 8 countries and 8 cities all-expense paid trip by Oriflame.
What is your advice to women out there?
I will encourage them to be self-employed, and independent even if they are married. You can always work with your phone, I work with my phone and sometimes laptop in the comfort of my home. People pay online and do everything online. This was me that was looking for a job and I don’t think I can work anywhere anymore because I wake any time I want and motivate my team members while people start buying online. There are a lot of people I met online. Family and friends won’t join in the business, all the people I met are online so I want to encourage everyone out there to be self-employed. You can contribute to what your husband is doing because there is no man who will be happy to come home to lots of issues.
You can pay the children’s school fees. I have seen a lot of women who have done that through this business. I will also encourage the men to allow women to do this business, it is a business that can be done on the phone. With how the world is going you need extra income so at the comfort of your home you can share this online.
We have women in the North making money with this business.
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