Tomike Adeoye and Adanna Uche speak on a decade of friendship as well as five years of being a business owner. Millia is a brand that focuses on selling luxurious hair from all around the world. In the beauty world, we have experienced diverse new trends and styles that remain a favourite to many wig lovers up to date.
Over the years, their friendship has been a stronghold of this business venture that was birthed. After graduating from university they both ventured into the business of selling hairs individually until they decided to become one. Millia is a reflection of themselves and their individual love for the fashion and beauty industry.
Tomike and Adanna, let’s dive into your journey! What sparked the idea for you two to start this beauty business together, and how did you come up with the name “Malliá”?
We’ve been best friends for nearly ten years, so our journey has always been a mix of personal and professional. After graduating from university, we each started our own businesses selling wigs and weaves. But as time went on, we realized that our shared vision and passion for empowering women through beauty could lead to something amazing. That’s when we decided to combine our strengths and create one brand Malliá World. The name, “Malliá” comes from the Greek word for hair, which felt like the perfect fit for what we are all about.
Over the past five years, you’ve successfully managed Malliá World digitally as best friends. What unique strengths do you each bring to the partnership?
Our friendship has been the foundation of Malliá World’s success. One of us brings a creative vision, with a strong eye for trends, ensuring our products reflect quality and elegance. The other brings strategic thinking and operational skills, focusing on efficiency, logistics, and growth. Together, we balance creativity and strategy, which has been key to our success.
What motivated you to transition from a digital platform to opening a physical store?
Our global digital community grew beyond expectations, and many customers wanted to experience our products in person before purchasing. Initially, we didn’t see the need for a physical store, but demand grew, and we eventually opened a pick-up store. As our business expanded, we realized we needed a bigger space to provide a luxurious experience, which led to the creation of the Malliá World store.
With the new physical store, what are some of your proudest accomplishments as founders of Malliá World?
One of our biggest achievements is building a brand that has earned trust of a global community. We’ve created a business that blends innovation with authenticity, starting from our individual ventures to becoming Malliá World. We’re also proud of the connections we’ve made with our customers and the positive feedback we’ve received. Now, with the new store, we can offer an elevated customer experience that truly reflects our vision.
How do you navigate decision-making and overcome challenges together?
We tackle challenges through open communication and trust in each other’s expertise. We make decisions by aligning our individual strengths with the bigger picture for Malliá World. When faced with challenges, we see them as opportunities to learn and innovate, always keeping our customers’ needs and our mission in mind.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced building Malliá World digitally?
One challenge early on was handling logistics for a global audience. Ensuring reliable shipping and efficient processes was tricky, but we partnered with trusted providers to improve. As the digital landscape evolved, we adapted by embracing new tools to stay relevant. These experiences taught us resilience and helped shape Malliá World’s strong digital foundation.
How will you maintain high-quality and personalized service as you expand?
Maintaining our high standards is a priority as we grow. We’ll continue sourcing top-quality materials, conducting thorough product checks, and training our staff to uphold our values. We’ll also carry our commitment to personalization into our physical store, offering tailored services and creating an environment where every customer feels valued.
What can clients expect from the new Malliá World store?
At the new store, clients will experience a blend of premium products and services. Our curated collection of wigs and weaves will be available for customers to try on, while our in-store salon offers expert installations and styling. We’re also excited about our exclusive hair customization service, where clients can create bespoke wigs tailored to their preferences. The store’s design is luxurious yet welcoming, ensuring a top-tier experience.
What are your plans for Malliá World’s future? Any expansion plans?
We plan to expand both within Nigeria and internationally. In Nigeria, we aim to open stores in key cities, making our premium offerings more accessible. Internationally, we envision growing our digital presence while serving our global customer base. Ultimately, we want Malliá World to be a global leader in the beauty industry, empowering people to feel confident and beautiful, no matter where they are.
Source: Her spotlight