Ummy The Cosmetics Bosslady

They say beauty is an energy that we all possess. That this energy comes from the soul and radiates through our skin and face. I had the pleasure of (virtually) interviewing the founder of Ummy Cosmetics on all things Ummy… what made her who she is and what it has been for her living as an African in Norway.

Ummy, founder of Ummy The BossLady Cosmetics

From the start I promised Ummy this would not be a cliche article because TAP doesn’t do cliche. I hoped to delve more into her breakthroughs and why she is who she is. So as she sat having her hot cup of cocoa in Norway and I here in Kenya with my lemon tea, we got to talking.

Who is Ummy?

Ummy is not just a name,  Ummy is a boss, Ummy is a brand, a wife, a sister and most importantly a mother of two lovely girls.

Where is home and where do you currently reside?

I currently live in Norway, a country that I fell in love with 10 years ago and it would be fair to say that was love at first sight. I was born in Mandera, a little town in North Eastern Kenya.

Describe the changing phases of Ummy; You at 10,16 and now.

At the age of ten, I had to go through the madrasa system where we were taught more about our religion and our morals were nurtured. My mom believed that it was hard for someone to surpass and live in this world without good morals and by good morals I mean the virtues that were instilled in us in madrasa. At the age of 12, I had completed my madrasa studies and as it was promised upon finishing I  joined school.

Primary school for me was good and I was able to make friends who had big dreams like me. In every good story, there must be a twist, well mine is not different. Cue 16-year-old Ummy.... 

At the age of 16, my life turned into a mess as I was taken to a school far away from home. I resisted going as I was not used to staying far from home. I was unhappy but I had no say in the matter, I had to go to school. I think because of this, I was poor in making friends at school. My classmates used to make fun of me which made my hands turn cold and clammy every time. All this did not stop me from achieving my goals and dreams. I eventually made some friends who helped me in every phase of my school life, which made me start loving school. I even used to tell my classmates that my name would one day become a brand, and some believed in me while others thought me a dreamer. I eventually finished my studies despite the struggles and did well

My life at this very moment is okay as I can not say it is excellent because of the ups and downs I receive as a business lady. My name has become a brand as I always dreamt of. I own a make up brand, thanks to all the support I received from my family and friends. I recently went to Istanbul for a business trip for more business opportunities.

We know you for make-up. Tell us what you would want the reader to know about you that is not make-up related.

In my early years, living far away from the city was not easy. It was a hardship to endure. What I have never mentioned in interviews is that I was nerdy and awkward going into my first year of middle school. What I noticed about middle school was that you were judged more than you ever would be at an elementary school. I was judged on how I dressed. That did not actually bother me as my mother would always tell me to focus on my dreams. Breaking into the industry required a lot of funds, which was a difficult factor for me and my family. My mother worked day and night to help me achieve my dreams as my father was against me joining the industry.

It took years and lots of sacrifices and pain, to raise all the money I needed to kickstart my brand. My hard work and my mother’s prayers helped me through. Finally, my parents sent me to Norway. This was where I realized my potential even more as I saw that women running business empires. I eventually broke into the industry and my name became a brand. 

Apart from being a makeup artist and owning a makeup brand, I am a mother of two kids. Raising children, especially girls, is not something easy. Now picture doing it in a foreign country. It is not a walk in the park.

Take us back to the beginning. You could have done anything but you chose make-up. What made you want to become a make-up artist?

I always had aspirations of becoming a makeup artist. I like going to events and every time I attended these events I would pay for makeup. I then asked myself why not be the one applying makeup to others and be the one that’s getting paid.

How did you learn to do make-up? Who was the first person you put make-up on?

I learned to do makeup through YouTube. I would watch makeup artists doing their most and bringing out their talents and I really tried to become like them. I would practice what I watched and honestly my first canvas was my own face.

How did you get your start in the industry?

Honestly, I had to face a lot of hardship to get to where I am now. I had to push through to get my products out in the market. I made sure they were of high quality to attract the right customers and build a great market out there. Thank God it all worked out and my products finally got accepted in the industry.

Turning to your make up line, what products do you currently have and do you plan on expanding your product line? What can we expect to see in the future?

I joined the makeup industry in 2018 when I produced half of the makeup products and worked on the rest of the products late last year when I released the whole makeup set. I am working on something else to be shared in due time.

How do you keep yourself grounded?

I usually keep myself grounded by giving equal time to all the activities I carry in the day. I make sure I finish my work at our workplace so that when I come home I get ample time to spend with my kids. I think through things sensibly and with maturity to avoid making mistakes that could set me back in not only my business but in my life journey too.

My journey made me realize that as we strive to make it through difficult times and staying grounded, hearing the wisdom of those who have struggled, questioned and dreamed before us can make the journey easier.

“Family time reminds me of home because at home there is always family around. When I cook food I learnt back home or read stories of home I picture myself there, walking down the streets and enjoying the perfect weather. ”

How different is life as an African Diasporan?

Africa is different from Norway as the lifestyle is very different. Here in Norway, I got more opportunities in my chosen field of makeup. I am however thrilled to see other Africans coming up in makeup while still on the continent. Together we rise, location notwithstanding.

What would you say was most influential to you and your career?

What influenced me was that there was a lack of girls like me in the market. I don’t know why young girls tend to not be proud and exploit their potential. That became my target; to stand up and be an example to them and make them believe in themselves.

The 16-year-old that you described earlier, what would you tell her today, knowing everything you know?

That the world is not cruel and that all you admired and dreamt of is achievable. More opportunities will be presented to you and all the tough times will have been worth it so hold on tight and do not lose faith in yourself. Better days are yet to come.

To wrap it up, what are three beauty secrets you can attest to?

Confidence. Self-belief. Self-love

It’s not always about a skincare routine or 8 glasses of water a day.

Interview by Anne Kamau-Ong’weny

Images courtesy of Ummy Cosmetics

Find Ummy and her work on Ig @UmmyThebossladycosmetics and www.ummythebossladycosmetics.com