The beauty industry has for long been populated and dominated by women that men hardly have a place in the space.
Women have for long stood larger than life as beauty specialists until recently when some men are beginning to get involved. And one name that stands shoulder to shoulder, or even taller than most women in the business is Okiemute Tonye Pela, who has distinguished himself as an aesthetician and cosmetologist of note. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Pels International, a top-notch skincare brand based in Lagos and with a branch in Abuja.
Okiemute Tonye Pela is a man earning his living in an otherwise women’s world and doing a damn good job of it. Of course, he had experienced some frictions from customers who had expected a woman to tend to them but over time this man from Delta State, Nigeria who radiates beauty in its true form had ended up winning many unwilling hearts with great measure.
“Based on my level of exposure, I don’t feel there should be a gender barrier in almost any line of business. Most times some clients get surprised but they later feel comfortable after having a consultation session with me. So, it’s been good because I have met different individuals and I kind of know how to navigate my way around people, especially ladies,” he said.
“The industry is already saturated, so I don’t focus on any competition whether gender based or from other companies. I just focus on improving our services and products daily,” he added, waving off competition with others in the business.
Explaining what he does specifically, Okiemute Tonye Pela said, “ Skincare is a very broad practice, we have the product formulators, medical aestheticians, dermatologists etc. Skincare is the art of taking proper care of your skin, paying attention and making sure to have a clean, clear, youthful and elastic skin that glows. And it’s highly advisable to deal with an experienced specialist as your skin is your largest organ. Consultation with your aesthetician is also required to get the most appropriate result. It has no gender discrimination.”
Pela said he had always been passionate about skincare, even as a child.
“I found myself reading and buying up beauty products whenever I went to stores. I even bought things I didn’t need. If I saw a person with a skin disorder I always itched to give them a solution. I was even doing this for free during my school days,” he recalled.
Okiemute Tonye Pela, established Pels International in 2013. His brand is a global brand with a window to the world through its online presence via their website www.pelsinternational.net.
Pels International offers top notch skincare and spa services, beauty and skincare consultation. According to the CEO, they also have some doctors/chemists & dietitians that they work with for some delicate issues.
“Because health and nutrition also plays a role in having a clear skin, we offer custom and personalized skincare products to target some individuals specific skin problems,” Okiemute Pela says.
Okiemute Tonye Pela, was born on 17th July 1992, in Rivers State, Port Harcourt. He attended Bereton Nursery and Primary School Port Harcourt then proceeded into Federal Government College, also in Port Harcourt. He studied International Business and graduated from Bells University of Technology Ota Ogun State, Nigeria.
He has also gone through various researches both home and abroad to further his researches and educate himself more as well as discover new beauty secrets. He has attended various beauty fairs and conferences across the globe to enhance his knowledge and creativity.