If you know who’s who in the Nigerian beauty industry, you definitely know Adefunke of @hairbyadefunkee.
Adefunke Adefule did not build one of Nigeria’s most recognised hair brands on talent alone. Before leaving telecommunications, she invested in private training with leading professionals, tested hairstyling as a side business and discovered that she could make the equivalent of her monthly salary in just one week.
In this conversation, Adefunke takes us through the journey from a one-woman service business to a thriving brand built on structure, a strong team and loyal clients. She shares why founders need to hire around their weaknesses, how to navigate difficult customer situations without taking them personally, and what a viral TikTok complaint taught her about protecting a business that had grown beyond her.
She also opens up about the more personal side of ambition, including the friendships she could not maintain, her relationship with faith, plans to relocate, and why continuous education remains one of her biggest competitive advantages.