They are impactful, passionate and they have thwarted all the predictions of the entrepreneurial world. They are moving the world of beauty in Africa. They are the women we are talking about in this article. This list is not exhaustive, but it aims to introduce you to the profile of women entrepreneurs who have paved the way in the natural cosmetics sector in French-speaking Africa and who have inspired more than one.
Anne-Emmanuelle Soumah-Yacé from the natural cosmetics brand AYES Essentielle
A lover of cosmetics and manual work, Anne Emmanuelle Soumah-Yacé had a classic student career. She holds a degree in business administration from the International University of Grand-Bassam located in Côte d’Ivoire. The young woman is preparing in this year 2023 her master 2 in Management and International Trade.
She launched her brand AYES Essentielle in 2020, during the Covid-19 period. The period of confinement has not only had its share of disadvantages. Thanks to this short period of world break, Anne developed her passion for cosmetics.
She learned to make soaps, creams, which she tested directly on her skin. The flagship AYES Essential soap made from Shea and honey was created and tested between the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. Having noticed the benefits of her own products on her skin and that of her loved ones, she decided to share her know-how in the world. This is how the AYES Essential brand was born.
If you are wondering where the acronym AYES comes from, know that it comes from the initials of the founder and the logo of the brand is none other than the face of Anne Emmanuelle Soumah-Yacé.
This brand of natural African cosmetics offers a variety of products:
- Shea whipped cream,
- lip sticks,
- A lip scrub,
- soaps,
- vegetable oils,
- A baby range fully certified by the National Public Health Laboratory.
The brand’s vision is to become the biggest natural cosmetics company in West Africa and why not in Africa and in the world. This brand wants to be generational. And as long as the objective is not achieved, Anne Emmanuelle will not let go of her rein.
“In terms of vision with AYES, we want to become the biggest natural cosmetics company in West Africa and then in Africa and one day in the world. So if in my lifetime, AYES is not the biggest natural cosmetics company in the world, then my children will do this work for me.
But I want to create an empire, I want to create a strong brand, a unique brand, a brand that makes an impression, a brand that does good to the people who use it. And for that, we are right now in the process of really laying the foundations of this company. Solid foundations to then be able to expand around the world over time. replied Anne when we asked her about her vision for Ayes Essentielle.
A great vision, which will certainly be realized! The brand now has nearly 10,000 followers on Instagram.
