Patricia Monney is the Director and Founder Aviela Skincare.
Can you tell us a little about your background and the company?
I was born and raised in Ghana and did most of my education in Ghana. I came to the UK in 2001 for further education. I have worked in the UK Health sector for the last 15years and I live in the county of Hertfordshire.
Aviela is a range of all-natural skincare products, each containing high concentrations of 100% pure, highest grade, unrefined Shea Butter with outstanding power to help naturally heal dry skin.
Our Mission is to transform skin through the raw power of nature while transforming lives by supporting the communities that craft our hero ingredients.
We ethically source our unrefined Shea Butter directly from the fields of Northern Ghana from a Women’s Cooperative. This is a sustainable way to celebrate Ghanaian culture, whilst empowering the community and women who craft the Shea Butter, to feed their families and school their children. Every single Aviela product has been consciously made with 100% natural extracts, encompassing both 100% natural and naturally derived ingredients and absolutely nothing else! Our range is also cruelty free, vegan where possible and packaged in fully recyclable materials.
How did the idea come to you for the company?
The idea of Aviela – started in 2007 after Shea Butter helped make my daughter walk. A respected doctor recommended that I use the butter to massage my daughter’s stiff ankle and prepare it for surgery if required, but in less than 4 days my daughter took those first precious steps and no longer required surgery.
I saw the dramatic results of shea butter first hand and knew I had to work on my own product line so everyone could access the benefit. Because I believe everyone should have at least a pot of Shea Butter amongst their beauty supplies.
How did you achieve awareness?
Initially it was through a lot of consumer shows and exhibitions and now through PR outreach.
How have you been able to gain funding and grow?
I still work full time with the NHS as a Senior Business Analyst so most of my income goes into funding and growing Aviela Skincare.
What are the key successes?
Being available across the UK and now internationally. We are also proud to have won a number of industry awards.
What were/are the challenges and how have you overcome these?
Finding the right expertise has been a challenge. Most people we have recruited in the past tend to come from big co-operations and sometimes they seem not to be able to understand how a small business work and how they can support it to grow.
What are your plans now/for the future?
We are hoping to continue to grow especially into other countries.
What would you like to share with others to encourage them to start their own entrepreneurship journey?
Be excited about your idea and start it.
Can you share your top tips for entrepreneurial success?
Always be open to learn from those above you but especially those you manage, because those lessons will carry you on your journey.
Who are the 5 people who inspire you the most and why?
There are some people in business that I look up to some of whom include:
Jo Malone – Because of her come back into the Fragrance industry
Aliko Dangote – Because he is very focused and gets things done when he sets his mind to it.
Joyce Meyer – A Christian preacher – because her life stories she shares are very similar to mine which makes it very real.
What are your favourite inspirational /motivational quotes?
It always seems impossible until it’s done – Nelson Mandela
What are your Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn social handles and also website links so our readers can connect with you?
