This week we sat down and had a chat with another #TechGirl, Ofunne Amaka. However the app she created focuses purely on Beauty. Ofunne Aims to use her expertise in the field of communications to promote and uplift images of women of colour in the media through fashion and beauty.
Name: Ofunne Amaka
Age: 26
Location: NYC
Current title | Company: Founder & CEO of Cocoa Swatches
Education: Master’s of Science in Communications Practice
Website : Ofunneamaka.com Cocoaswatches.com
social media pages: Cocoa Swatches Instagram Cocoa Swatches Twitter
What was your first job and how did you land it?
My very first job(s) were at the mall. I worked retail at Nike and at Abercrombie & Fitch.
What led you to Beauty & Blogging?
Fashion has always been an outlet for me. I was a student athlete all the way from elementary school through college, so I used fashion as a way to express myself outside of sports. I started seriously blogging after I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree and was in between jobs.
You recently started Cocoa Swatch, can you tell us a bit about what it does?
The Cocoa Swatches app is the makeup bestie you can carry in your pocket. It will help you make informed makeup purchases and let you in on what’s really good with the makeup industry.
App users can:
DISCOVER new and old makeup products through the CS swatch and review system.
LEARN makeup tips and tricks from makeup experts we love, who have paved the way in creating great content for underrepresented complexions.
COMPARE and contrast similarly marketed products and find the best one for you.
SEARCH through Instagram posts as well as new swatches in app. You’ll never have to endlessly scroll down your IG feed again!
Why did you decide to start Cocoa Swatch?
After a number of disappointing purchases, where I ultimately guessed completely wrong about how a product would look on me, I thought to myself, I wish there was a resource that allowed me to see swatches of the latest makeup products on darker complexions. It was then that Cocoa Swatches was born.
What challenges have you faced since creating the app?
The challenges I have faced mainly concern trying to solidify the Cocoa Swatches brand and help the app really address the Cocoa Swatches’ community needs. I want to make sure that its something people really find useful.
What has the response been like ?
The response has been amazing! People have been so supportive and so enthusiastic about the app launch, so that’s been really awesome to experience.
What’s a typical day for you on the job?
There really is no “typical day” for a freelancer or an entrepreneur. Sometimes I wake up at 7:30 am and sometimes I don’t wake up until 10am. It really depends on the nature of the work I have to get done each day.
What do you love/ dislike about what you do?
I love that I am able to pursue a career in an industry I am extremely interested in and that I have been able to inspire so many people.
If you could go back and make any changes, what would they be?
I wouldn’t change anything. I believe that all the things that have happened in my past have helped me become the person I am today.
What would you tell your 20-year-old self?
Believe in yourself. You are capable of doing amazing things.
What is the future for you and Cocoa Swatch?
In the future, I can only hope that Cocoa Swatches will be able to reach a larger global audience, have relationships with multiple brands, have a more robust app technology, and have more original content with varying complexions.
Technology & Beauty is the new power couple, what do you think the future is for Tech and Beauty ?
I think the two will continue to merge and create unique spaces. Sephora has always done really cool things with technology and many other brands like Iman and Plum Perfect have created some really great technology as well.
What advice would you give to females wanting to start a business in beauty tech?
I would tell them to research the market they want to go into and develop a game plan. There are a lot of players in both beauty and tech, so you want to make sure you create something that can really make an impact and provide a solution to a problem.
What’s the most important advise you have received that you would like to share with other female entrepreneurs?
Believe in your magic and make time for yourself. Your business can’t work unless you are in your prime. Be assertive and don’t forget to put yourself first.
One thing that makes you | your business ” Younique”
The merge of beauty and tech from an influencer’s perspective.
