Calgary - Women of Rubies

In Inspiration December 11, 2023 By Maggy Rosiji

From Lagos to Calgary: The Inspiring Story Of Elizabeth Lawrence’s Beauty Venture

In the dynamic world of makeup and beauty, one name stands out as a testament to passion, experience, and the transformative power of cosmetics—Elizabeth Lawrence, the Founder and Creative Director of Darliza Makeovers Inc.

Genesis in Lagos, Nigeria

Elizabeth’s love affair with makeup commenced over 15 years ago in the vibrant streets of Lagos, Nigeria. The lively energy of the city served as the incubator for her creative spirit, laying the foundation for a journey dedicated to unveiling beauty in its myriad forms.

From Lagos to Calgary: A Beauty Odyssey

Fast forward to the present day, and Elizabeth finds herself in the picturesque city of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Amidst stunning landscapes and diverse communities, she continues to explore the transformative power of makeup at Darliza Makeovers Inc., driven by a mission to celebrate and enhance natural beauty.

A Multifaceted Journey

Elizabeth’s venture in the beauty industry has been marked by diverse experiences. From active involvement in The Makeup Artist Guild of Nigeria to contributing to the success of Make Music Nigeria, her path traversed through renovation, construction, interior design, and even trading in women’s apparel. Each experience has provided invaluable insights into beauty, aesthetics, and the authentic needs of clients.

Makeup as Empowerment

Beyond a mere profession, for Elizabeth, makeup is a potent tool for empowerment and confidence. The philosophy at Darliza Makeovers Inc. revolves around enhancing natural beauty, creating a spark of confidence, and turning everyday moments into something truly special. This belief is deeply rooted in the strength and grace described in Proverbs 31:17.

ForbesBLK Member and Community Advocate

Proudly affiliated with ForbesBLK, Elizabeth is passionate about uplifting the voices of Black entrepreneurs, professionals, leaders, and creators. This commitment extends beyond breaking barriers; it’s about building a community of transformative collaboration.

Join Elizabeth on this journey of empowerment, inspiration, and the celebration of beauty at Darliza Makeovers Inc. As she continues to unveil the inherent radiance in each individual, let her story inspire confidence in every woman.

Follow her on Instagram to learn more about her work

In Inspiration January 15, 2023 By Women of Rubies

How Eleora Ogundare Created Hairline Products After Suffering Hair Loss During Sickle Cell Treatment

Eleora Ogundare was diagnosed with sickle cell disease at birth and finally got treatment when she was eight years old.

During the course of treatments and chemotherapy for the red blood cell disorder, her hair started falling out.

“My hair was my confidence because the kids I was around, they had like the long, nice long hair,” Eleora told Cbc news , she then decided with her mum to cut her hair and make the change quick, hoping kids in school wouldn’t make comments.

“I felt, like, naked almost because, the thing that was like giving me confidence, I didn’t have it anymore. I had to cut it all off.”

Eleora is now a healthy 15-year-old, but instead of closing that chapter of her life, she decided to help others facing a similar challenge with their hair — and their sense of identity.

Owning Her Identity

While Eleora was battling for her health, her mum was trying to find solutions for her young daughter’s hair, and with it, her sense of self.

“The struggle for them is identity, you know, trying to understand why their hair is not as silky as the next person in her class,” said Eugenia Ogundare, Eleora’s mother, who says hair for a Black women is “her crown.”

“But then having to lose that hair was a whole different ball game altogether.”

Eugenia says during months of treatments, they spent time trying out different oils, butters, and creams, eventually determining their own formula and using it to launch a line of products geared toward Black hair types.

“One of the problems Black women actually face would be the edges, so that’s the first thing we get, that, ‘Oh, it actually works for my edges’,” said Eugenia, who has received plenty of positive feedback about the products she and her daughter work together on.

“And then we get the mothers who say, ‘Oh, my daughter’s hair was hard to manage. It’s more manageable [now]’.”

Adedoyin Omotara sells the Eleora Beauty line through both her salon, Adoniaa Beauty, and the Adoniaa Collective, a store for Black entrepreneurs at Westbrook Mall.

“It’s a huge part of what makes us us, especially physically, but we need to understand the impact it has on us inside,” said Omotara, who says she understands the pressures to conform that can sometimes arise for Black kids as they become more conscious of their environment and who they are.

Omotara says her own three-year-old has already questioned why his hair is so curly or difficult to comb compared to the hair of his friends.

“Especially for younger people, they need to understand that there are products that can actually work for our hair so that they don’t start to put toxic product in their hair, just to want to look like another Sharon on the street or another Anita on the street.”

Regaining Her Self-Confidence

Now long past the illness she suffered as a child, Eleora hopes that the products created through her experience help other young Black girls feel empowered to be themselves.

“Our hair is beautiful the way it is and it’s different in a good way … it just expands our culture and really shows who we are,” said the teen, who recently chose to cut her hair again.

“It wasn’t as bad this time. Like, I’m more confident in it, and I also just want to teach other, like, young Black girls that, you know, like short hair or like long hair. You can rock it either way.”

Omotara says the young entrepreneur’s story is one that should give hope to their community.

“Whatever problems we have in our community, we remain the solution to those problems because we know where it bites the most, right? And that is why we are the ones to proffer the solution.”

“I think we’re making a difference in like, young girls lives,” said Eleora.

“When I was younger, I kinda wish I had something like this too, to make me feel more confident. But I’m happy that I’m doing it now to help other people.”

Congrats, Eleora. We celebrate you

In Inspiration October 29, 2022 By Esther Ijewere

The HolySpirit Inspired Me To Start Glorious Reign Ministry- Prophetess Uju-Ken

In 1994, Prophetess Uju-Ken had a major encounter with God when she gave her life to Christ, that was the beginning of her ministerial journey and commitment to the body of Christ.

The Canadian based woman of God who has toured different continents winning souls for Christ and reflecting the power of humanity works at the intersection of combining spirituality with reality, using her lived experience as a tool to educate and teach the society the importance of developing a relationship with God and having a prayer life.

Her story went viral online during her recent crusade in Baltimore, USA where she touched lives, performed mind-blowing miracles and spread the gospel. Prophetess Uju is happily married to her supportive husband, and they are blessed with amazing children.

Prophetess Uju-Ken shares her story with Esther Ijewere In this Interview.

Childhood Influence

I grew up in a very christian home. My parents were catholic and were quite involved in church events. My parents always took us to church on Sunday and every weekday early mornings for “Morning Mass”. While in secondary school, my classmates and I attended a church programme. While at this program, the preacher preached on the “Ark of the Covenant” and also asked that those who wanted to encounter the touch of the Ark of the covenant should lift up their hands. That was the first time that I had fallen under the anointing. At that time, I had started dreaming dreams but I had no idea that it was a gift of the Holy Spirit.

I would always tell my mom of my dreams and they would come to pass. I would narrate my dreams of someone dying and then that person would die. My mom would always caution me and warned me to stop telling her about my dreams. On the other hand, while in University, I started modeling and designing tops and shirts and selling to bankers. I would say that modeling prepared me to face crowds. I was already aware of God’s existence and work in and around me.

Inspiration Behind Glorious Reign Ministries

The HolySpirit inspired me to start my ministry. After my childhood encounters, I didn’t know how to pray but I talked prayers. I would pray like I was having a conversation with God. One midnight in 2009, I was laying down and fell into a trance. In that trance, I saw some tall grasses in the field, a strong wind was blowing and as the grasses were being blown by the wind, the words “Time 4 Harvest “ appeared. I was confused as to what they meant.

In that trance also, the voice said that if I was doubting, I should go to the sitting room, that I would find my brother lying on the couch sick. I did get up and go to the sitting room and actually found my brother laying on the couch and when I asked him to go into the room he responded that he was sick.

Before my trance experience, one of my female friends had gifted me with a T.D. Jakes Bible titled ‘Woman, thou art loosed’. After the trance experience, I started preaching to a set of 5 empty couches.

Why I moved My Ministry From U.K To Canada

My move from the U.K. to Canada was a decision of my husband and myself. This decision was solely for the purpose of availing our children the vast opportunities available in Canada including education.

The Journey So Far

We give God the glory. The journey has been amazing, in the sense that with the help of the Holy Spirit. It has also been a learning curve with challenges but God has been faithful because He has promised me in 1 Corinthians 10:13B that “He will not suffer me to be tempted beyond that which I am able to bear”. Every challenge has been a ladder to get to my next level.

Challenges Of My work

As a professional counselor as well as a Minister of God, maintaining boundaries especially with family and friends has been a challenge. I’m still working on learning to say “No” and stick with it. Another challenge is that I find it very hard to look the other way when I see people suffering. I have the tendency of taking on people’s burden and failing to realize that I can’t save everyone.

My Relationship With God

I’m very humbled that God has chosen me as a vessel to work miracles in the lives of people irrespective of their status in life. I’m also very happy to see God’s power in action, saving souls, healing diseases and mending broken hearts.

Other Projects and Activities

We are believing in God to establish a non- denominational pilgrimage center where people from all walks of life can come on a weekly basis to pray out for themselves and receive solutions to their challenges. I also make it a point of duty to support other peoples ministries to motivate and minister to the people. As per the ministry activities, we meet every first Saturday of the month for our Open Heaven program, we also meet every second Saturday for a meeting with the Holy Spirit titled “Fix me Holy Spirit”. We meet again every third.

What I Enjoy About My Job As A Woman of God

What I enjoy most about my work is my relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit always teaches me, guides me and directs me. He always reassures me, all I have to do is to just show up and He acts. I also enjoy seeing people walk into my office with tears and leaving with joy. As much as we go on missions, we pray, and we give.

3 Women Who Inspire Me And Why

The first person is my mother because she is a prayerful woman, a hopeful woman of faith and a woman that never gave up. These attributes of my mother have shaped my own life. The second woman is Kathryn Kuhlman of the blessed memory who solely depends affectionately and intimately on the Holy Spirit.

My Work-life Balance

As a woman of God, a mother, wife, and mentor, I feel like I don’t have enough hours in the day. However, I have to follow strict timelines in order to maintain a work-life balance. Moreso, I have learnt to let go of what I cannot control. So I prioritize my work according to the order of importance. I am also very grateful for my very supportive husband. He’s always there to offer support and cover for me in the home front.

Watch: Prophetess Uju Ken Share Her Encounter With the Holyspirit

How We Can Win More Souls As a Society

As a society, to win more souls, we can show more love, be empathetic, compassionate, and actively listen to one another. We can be more tolerant towards one another.

On The Importance Of Unity Within The Christian Community

Men and women of God to help each other and to collaborate more especially through complementing one another where the other is inadequate since God has given different spiritual gifts to all men for the perfecting of saints and edifying of the body of Christ ( Ephesians 4: 11-12).

Being A Woman of Rubies

What makes me a Woman of Rubies is the grace of God upon my life and the power of the Holy Spirit.

To Those who Have lost faith

I would tell them “Don’t give up” “Help is on the way” and “Your SOLUTION (Holy Spirit) is bigger than your PROBLEMS (the challenges

In Inspiration September 30, 2022 By Esther Ijewere

Chioma Ogamba Is Helping People Achieve Their Immigration Dreams Through Kisha Immigration

Chioma Ogamba knows her onions and she is proud of it. The amazon is fast becoming one of the most sought-after Immigration consultant In Canada, with core focus on Student Visa, Business Immigration, Citizenship and Residency by Investment.

Chioma Ogamba is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kisha Immigration, a licensed Canadian immigration company located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The trusted brand was birthed out of her passion for helping people find greener pastures and sharing in their joy when their dream becomes an exciting reality. Her niche is in Student Visa, Business Immigration, Citizenship & Residency by Investment

The company began as a pro bono consultation and guidance service in 2016, before becoming a fully licensed company with an expanded reach and range of clients and services. Kisha Immigration is affiliated to Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and Canadian Association of Professional Immigration Consultants (CAPIC).

The driven amazon with an eye for innovation and excellent customer service is committed to helping her clients achieve their Canadian dream. Kisha Immigration renders services such as immigration and citizenship consulting, business immigration, citizenship and residency by investment, settlement consulting and lots more.

Chioma Ogamba studied Applied Business Computing in the United Kingdom and graduated with First class Honors. The visionary amazon also got educated in four countries: Nigeria, Malaysia, United Kingdom, and Canada. Being an ardent believer in personal development and never-ending improvement, she immigrated to Canada as a permanent residence, then acquired degrees in Canadian Immigration Consulting, Information Technology, and an MBA (Business administration), graduating at the top of her class with a perfect CGPA of 4.0/4.0 in all three.

Her first relocation experience started when she was 18 years old and had to avoid the pangs of the ASUU strike in the Nigerian university. She gained admission to study at a UK-affiliated school in Malaysia and relocated with her immediate younger sister, whom she assisted with both her admission and student visa application.

Accidentally, this was her first informal immigration client. Eighteen months down the line, they were awarded scholarships and transferred to the University of Sunderland to complete their first degrees. She was responsible for both the scholarship applications and the study visa applications to the UK.

A year later, she graduated with a first-class in Applied Business Computing. Due to the UK’s policy as of 2012 after graduating, she could not secure a post-graduate work permit, resulting in her going back home in Nigeria to serve and work,

Read Also: I Want Immigrant Women In Canada To Have A Voice

She then embarked on another journey to relocate to Canada as a graduate student. Fortunately, in 2016 she seized the opportunity to relocate to Canada as a permanent resident. Along the line, she fell in love, got married, even handled her husband’s application, and relocated as a family to Canada in 2018.

Since then, she has helped other family members and friends relocate with their families.

The key highlight for her was helping her youngest sister to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident in 2021 and helping her husband join her in less than a year. Kisha connotes great Joy and that is why Chioma essentially is delighted in witnessing people’s lives change entirely for the best. Their lives gets transformed in a way that generations will be inspired by her actions to become a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC).

Follow Kisha Immigration to know more about Chioma’s work.