Let’s be real, with the number of influencers out there, it’s hard to figure out just who is worthy of the follow button. But in a sea of thousand social media stars, Cameroonian-Lebanese content creator, Vanessa Azar stands out.

The multi hyphenate businesswoman, who is based in Paris and Lagos, is not only talented at blogging, with brilliant insights on luxury fashion and beauty that has attracted almost 30, 000 Instagram followers to her feed, but she’s also a major inspiration to black women around the world.

The idea of marketing beauty started when I was a young girl

Hyper-visibility and the importance of representation is something that personally resonates with Vanessa. Black women are generally underrepresented in social spaces like the entertainment, fashion, and beauty industries, so it’s inspiring to see Vanessa making waves while maintaining her ultra-chic style and staying camera-ready at all times.

Vanessa’s history proves that she was born for the cameras so it is no surprise that she’s used the internet to share the beauty she captures. Growing up as a child around sophisticated women, she would play around with her mother’s beauty products at every  chance and when she was gifted a Polaroid camera at the age of 7, she decided to create a photo-book and began to document her family’s travel experiences.

This experience at an early age would shape her teen years where she kept journals of the events that occurred in her life. When she moved from Douala, Cameroon to France she opened a private blog along with her sister where she shared beauty tips and secrets. Vanessa’s Secret grew into a huge success, garnering tons of readers around the world.

“The idea of marketing beauty started when I was a young girl,” the head of L’Oréal Luxe West Africa tells Smart Money Africa  how she first got into beauty. “Before I even knew anything about marketing, it was just there. I found it very attractive that you could convince somebody to wear something that they didn’t feel was initially fitting and you’re just finding new techniques to convince them and so on.”

The blog was purposely a beauty site but has since expanded into the realms of travel, fashion and lifestyle. Having her fingers in many pots helps keep creative blocks at bay. As you could imagine, Vanessa has faced some challenges. Four years ago, her notable blog was hacked but luckily she was able to regain it. Speaking about the experience, she tells us, “Nature always finds a way. I feel like when it’s something that you do out of passion, you’ll always find a way to rebuild yourself.”

She has also had to overcome the hurdle of racial pay gap among influencers in the industry. Vanessa plays no games when it comes to advocating for her own, especially in a day and age where black women account for a large portion of profit for beauty companies. Indeed, she’s come a long way in making a name for herself.

In 2013, she was a writer for France’s notable Stiletto magazine. In her Okay Africa interview, she noted that a number of the companies that first approached her would be from the relationships she formed while working there. The first was a cream brand and later American multinational makeup and personal care company, Estée Lauder would come knocking. In the beginning of her career, her hustle consisted of emailing brands but now, they reach out to her.

Nature always finds a way. I feel like when it’s something that you do out of passion, you’ll always find a way to rebuild yourself

Vanessa has worked with brands like Jo Malone, Mizani, L’Oréal, Chanel and Trace Nigeria, and we’re certain she’s only going to nab even more opportunities. 

According to Vanessa Azar, here are the five things she did to change her business for good:

1.   Being disciplined and consistent: “I feel like nothing works without these two. You can be talented and passionate as much as you want but if you don’t have discipline and consistency, you’ll never go anywhere.”
2.   Sacrificing non-essentials: “A lot of people get lost with things they see on Instagram. When I started, Instagram wasn’t in existence so for me it was very easy. I just had my vision & goals and I was moving forward, not distracted with all the expenses that you incur by partying too hard or lavishing on things not needed. You have to be laser-focused on what you want to achieve so that the noise around you is quiet.”
3.   Not hiding plans: “People say keep your plans quiet, that people will copy you and so on, but as long as that plan is in your head, that means that somewhere in the world thinks the same thing and might do it as well. Find a great team and tell people because you’re always one step or contact away from a good deal, great network or even client.”
4.     Knowing her worth: “The more you know your worth, the more you can negotiate based on it and not the contrary. Focus on your standards and don’t hesitate because people will always have a less vision of you other than how you see yourself.”
5.     Watching the 15-minutes long Steve Jobs 2005 commencement address at Stanford University.

Vanessa’s advice for upcoming female influencers and startup business women also echoes the values which contributed to her brand’s successful pivot. “Invest in yourself,” she says. “Whatever you want to buy, maybe a pair of shoes, which is unnecessary, should be avoided, even if it’s in the form of a gift. Rather invest in the creation of your website, sponsoring of your articles and products, and if you’re in fashion, probably the buying of your fabrics. Whatever you want to buy that isn’t necessary should be converted to what serves you.”

Now working on launching the first collection under her own fashion label, MVSE, Vanessa’s profile has now expanded to fashion designer all thanks to her sartorial appetite for cool, breezy and effortlessly chic looks which earned her the title of a style influencer.

She has her sights set on working with Marc Jacobs,  Guerlain, South Africa’s Lulu & Marula and Skin Creamery, Nigeria’s Epara Skincare, and opening up a living, breathing beauty temple—home to dermatologists and a variety of products that work for women with melanin.

If the sky’s the limit then Vanessa Azar is shooting for the moon.

Is your farm making enough money? Read this book to find out. It is a guide one of our leading commercial farmers insists every one of his employees first read before he takes them into service. That is how important Turning Vision Into Value by Mike Ward and Allan Price is regarded by some.

Ward is director of the Graduate School of Management at the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), whereas Price, a former architect, has dedicated his life to simplifying finances for ordinary people.

The book explains financial and accounting principles to people who have no prior knowledge of the subject. The central themes are how to create economic value and how to measure it in business-like farming.

The core accounting principles explained include the measures of economic value. A lot is also said about return on net assets (RONA) and return on equity (ROE). It explains why these two measures are important and the underlying levers that drive them.

These different ways of measuring performance are then extended to the concept of sustainable growth. Because growth is so important when creating value, a lot of time is given to understanding the consequences of too much or too little growth in a business.

The final section of the book uses the earlier chapters to explain corporate valuation and covers economic concepts like the time value of money, discounting and the cost of capital.

The book is available at Van Schaik bookstores, or you can download a PDF copy from the internet. It’s a decision that could save you quite a bit of money, and also make you some!

Advocacy thinktank Speak Up Africa and renowned Senegalese fashion label Tongoro joined forces for African LeadHERS –  a fashion show held to amplify calls for more commitment to gender equality among stakeholders in the arts and creative sectors.

The show took place during the  Generation Equality Forum held in Paris, France recently, and was convened by UN Women, with a rallying call to propel further transformative and sustainable change on gender equality and women’s rights.

Gender equality is vital to the collective success of Africa and achieving the UN the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Currently, it is expected that gender gaps will take over 120 years to close in Sub-Saharan Africa, and over 135 years for pay and leadership equity to be reached. Since the Beijing conference on women 26 years ago, strides have been made, but there is still no broad and entrenched change.  

“Women empowerment, and the inclusion of women and girls on public platforms and in leadership, is a fundamental right and critical to our development,” said Oulimata Sarr Regional Director West and Central Africa at UN Women.

 “As part of the Generation Equality Forum’s Action Coalition on economic justice and rights, I am proud to stand for increasing women’s economic empowerment. 2021 can be a landmark year in our fight for gender equality in Africa, but we must all act for equal. It’s an honour to see so many inspirational women uniting to share their voices and experiences, as the movement for gender equality gains pace across the African continent,” she added. 

Its Founder and Executive Director Yacine Djibo, says that as a female-led organisation, Speak UP Africa is not only committed to issues that enhance gender equality but supporting meaningful actions that promote that.  

“Inspiration and empowerment take many forms, and this fashion show was a perfect example of how female-led organizations can support and uplift each other, and we are delighted to partner with Tongoro, because we share a passion for gender equality in Africa,” she said.
Launched in 2016 by the talented Sarah Diouf, Tongoro is a 100% made in Africa label designed and produced in Dakar, Senegal.

Tongoro apparel has become an international sensation loved by A-star celebrities such as Beyonce, (who wore Tongoro in her groundbreaking Lion King- The Gift), Naomi Campbel, Alicia Keyes, Burner Boy, Iman and many more. In 2020, the brand was also amongst Fast Company’s 50 most innovative companies of the year.

Tongoro not only sources its materials in Africa but also works with local artisans and tailors.

 “Fashion has long been recognized as a way to empower women; for many of us clothes are not simply to be worn, they are also used to make a statement. I’ve worked with and dressed many inspiring and strong women throughout my career, and it’s a pleasure to do so in support of the Generation Equality Forum. Through this show, and the other activities taking place across Africa, we are striving to improve gender equality and craft the continent’s future,” said Diouf.

WHAT IS THE BEST ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

Cois Harman encouraged me and advised me to stick to what I know best and leave what I do not know. That has worked for me.

IF THERE IS ONE THING YOU COULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENTLY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

I wouldn’t have started on communal land, where I lost 20 in-calf heifers. But everything happens for a reason – perhaps I wouldn’t have had the same passion and drive, had those animals not been stolen.

YOUR BIGGEST SUCCESS TO DATE?

I have produced quality animals for emerging and commercial farmers. That makes me proud today.

WHO HAS MADE THE BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO YOUR SUCCESS SO FAR?

My family. They gave me the support, space and time I needed to grow to where I am.

HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR NEIGHBOURING FARMERS?

It’s great. We support and help one another with whatever we need, including implements.

DID YOU STRUGGLE TO SECURE FINANCING AND HOW WOULD YOU ADVISE OTHERS IN THIS REGARD?

I’ve never had any financing for my farming operation. I have battled alone since I started, but I haven’t given up. My advice to new farmers is to plan for their ventures and start with what they have.

WHAT ROLE DO INPUT SUPPLIERS, LIKE ANIMAL-HEALTH COMPANIES, PLAY IN YOUR BUSINESS?

I have a good relationship with my animal-health products supplier. He provides me with much-needed assistance. We also have an established series of information days on my farm through which we try to support other farmers in the area.

IF YOU COULD GIVE THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE SOME ADVICE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?

She should listen to farmers and plan with them. No policy or programme should be developed without consulting farmers.

HAS ORGANISED AGRICULTURE MADE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR SUCCESS IN FARMING?

It is the key to success for any serious farmer. I don’t think, as black farmers, we appreciate the role organised agriculture plays or recognise its potential to help us succeed.