Courage is the first word that describes Kemi Lewis. How else do you explain this: departing from a promising legal career and not just embracing, but triumphing in the beauty industry, championing natural hair care in Lagos? It’s sheer audacity! Kemi’s transformation from a legal advisor to a beauty entrepreneur is nothing but a show of human ability and determination, overcoming skepticism, and building an empire that values the authenticity of natural beauty.
Lewis, once entrenched in the complexities of legal cases, decided to heed a calling that had been whispering to her for years. “I had this glowing feeling in my heart in 2013, a desire to do something for myself. I wasn’t sure about the specifics until a friend suggested opening a salon specializing in natural hair,” Lewis recalls, highlighting a pivotal moment that would redefine her career trajectory.
Her legal journey, from studying at the University of Lagos to obtaining a Master’s in International Business from the University of Dundee in the United Kingdom, seemed a predetermined path for the first-born girl in her family. However, her heart yearned for something more, something she found in the beauty and health sector.
With a friend’s encouragement, Lewis embarked on the journey of creating a haven for natural hair enthusiasts. Thus, KLS Natural Beauty Bar was born, a space where natural hair is not just embraced but celebrated. Lewis envisioned a salon where individuals could find the right products, care, and styling for their unique natural hair needs.
The transition from the legal arena to the beauty industry was met with initial shock and skepticism from her immediate family. The societal perception of hairstyling, especially for those with legal degrees, posed a significant challenge. “Hairdressing was seen as a derogatory profession and for people who did not go to school,” Lewis reflects, emphasizing the societal stigma attached to her chosen path.
Overcoming these challenges, she set out to carve a niche in an underserved market, focusing on natural hair care in Nigeria. This endeavor required not only financial risk but a shift in societal perspectives. Lewis liquidated her life insurance policy and scraped together funds to breathe life into her vision, emphasizing the importance of self-belief and determination.
Education and training became cornerstones of her venture, addressing not only the needs of her clientele but also the misconceptions within the beauty industry. Convinced of the potential of natural hair care, Lewis dedicated herself to changing perceptions and creating a welcoming environment for those embracing their natural hair.
Now a decade into her venture, with three locations and a team of 30, her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is simple yet profound: “Even if there are no laid-down steps to follow, if you want to do something, you just need to create your own steps and create your own market. Not everybody will believe in you, and even if they don’t, as long as you have conviction in what you want to do and you believe in yourself, just give it 150%.”
