By Christy Anyanwu
Dabota Lawson is a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist. A graduate of the University of Leicester with a first degree in Financial Economics, BA, Dabota Lawson is also a professional management account accredited by The London School of Business and Finance. A woman of many parts, she is the founder, Two Six Mall in Lekki, Lagos, Dabota House of beauty and Dabota Cosmetics. An astute businesswoman, Lawson ensures her companies
empower others through participating in community initiatives, supporting healthcare, education, partnering with financial institutions, fashion houses and skills training. With beauty, brains, and business acumen, she serves as an inspirational role model to her more than one million followers across her social media platforms.
In this interview with Saturday Sun, Dabota speaks about her passion for beauty products, her journey into entrepreneurship, her dreams growing up, and the lessons she has learnt about life, among others.
What ignited your passion for becoming an entrepreneur?
My personal passion for beauty has been long coming to manifest the person and path of entrepreneurship I’m expressing in the world today. I have a genuine love for beauty products, cosmetics, skincare, or hair care from an early age, perhaps and most of the women I admired growing up were intelligent, successful women who really looked after themselves and were very particular about their appearance. My desire to solve problems or address a need in the beauty industry that is not being adequately met by existing products or services, equally ignited my passion, such as makeup that is specifically tailored to the acne-prone skin. It is a condition that I’ve had a long term personal experience with. It is still something that scientists and beauty professionals are struggling with. This condition is something that affects women of all ages and no matter how confident a woman is, no one wants to keep dealing with acne. I consider myself a leading woman and as a leading woman, creativity and innovation is something that I would say is a gift from God to me. I have always had that drive to create something unique, innovative, or groundbreaking in the beauty sector. I’m one to push boundaries and set new trends. I also see my platform as a beauty entrepreneur as a tool for empowerment, self-expression, and boosting confidence by helping other people feel their best through my products and services. My willingness to take risks and navigate challenges, and a commitment to building a successful business in the beauty industry is one of my strong attributes, and a conviction as to why I was created by God for the life.
Tell us a bit about your brand and what makes it unique.
Dabota Cosmetics is a non-toxic makeup brand. We pride ourselves in using the finest and safest ingredients in our product range. It is FDA approved in Canada, the US and Europe. Our products are paraben-free, hypo-allergenic, allergy tested, non-comedogenic, fragrance free and not tested on animals. It is an innovative makeup brand because we provide a complete selection of cosmetic products that target sensitive skin, enhance your skin beauty and preserves youthful radiance.
Aside your beauty line, what other business do you do?
Before I delved into the beauty industry, I had been working in various industries as a student in the UK up until when I finished my degree and my professional course. Some industries I’ve worked in include, retail, recruitment, oil & gas, construction, dredging, media and entertainment. Usually in those fields, I was usually working in the operations, corporate communications, business development or finance department. As a result I had gathered so many experiences, which have allowed me to invest in real estate, consult for business and carry out contracts of various kinds. I’m also big on empowerment and spend a good amount of my time participating and collaborating in various forms of women empowerment.
Looking at your appearance, you stand out like an entertainer, like music stars or those in Nollywood. Do you have such dreams growing up?
I come from a lineage of some great entertainers and public figures. I love the world of entertainment and growing up because of my physical attributes in terms of my figure and height. I walked the runway for many international brands and graced the covers of many magazines. As a beauty queen, I’ve had the opportunity to work in various areas of the entertainment industry and still do till date.
How have you been handling fame in terms of your lifestyle?
Being in the spotlight comes with its fair share of advantages and challenges. From the allure of recognition and influence to the scrutiny and loss of privacy, celebrities and public figures often find themselves on a roller coaster ride of fame. One key strategy I embrace is the positives that fame brings while mitigating the negatives. I try leveraging my platform for philanthropic endeavours, advocating for meaningful causes, and inspiring others. Additionally, I set clear boundaries to safeguard my personal space and mental well-being. I also make sure that I’m seeking support from a trusted circle of family, friends, and professionals for emotional guidance and perspective during challenging times. I also make ensure that above all I’m spiritually aligning my everyday life with God, so that the Holy Spirit can guide me to deal with the complexities of celebrity status with resilience and grace. I am self-aware, authentic, and have a commitment to staying true to my values amidst the ever-changing landscape of public life.
What lessons have you learnt about life?
I’m a grown woman who carries within her a tapestry of life’s lessons, woven with threads of resilience, compassion, and self-discovery. I know and understand the younger generation, and try imparting the wisdom of embracing moments of vulnerability as opportunities for growth and self-reflection. I’ve learnt the power of perseverance in the face of adversity and see challenges as a stepping stone to personal triumph. Through my lens of experience, I’m constantly illuminating the path towards self-acceptance, urging the youth to love themselves unabashedly and to nurture their mental well-being above all else. I understand that true strength lies in authenticity, empathy, and the pursuit of one’s own happiness.
You have travelled far and wide. Where is your best destination?
Touring Europe is one my favourite holiday itinerary, especially the city of London. It is like a second home to me, I have been visiting London since I was a child and have schooled and lived there. I’m in love with the great balance between the historical and modern architecture, and lifestyle.