We recently had the chance to connect with Promise Okoye and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Promise, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Oh, absolutely! There’s always something happening in my world that gives me a good laugh or makes me pause and feel proud. Recently, I had one of those moments during one of my braiding classes at More Than Braids Academy. One of my students had been struggling to get her sectioning neat, she was so sure she’d “never get it.” I turned around just a few minutes later and saw her absolutely nailing it, grinning from ear to ear like she’d just discovered magic.
I couldn’t stop laughing; partly from joy, partly from pride. It’s those tiny moments of transformation that remind me why I do what I do. Sometimes it’s not even about the braids; it’s about that spark of confidence that lights up someone’s face when they realise, “Oh, I can actually do this.”
On a funnier note, my daughters recently braided one side of my hair while I was trying to reply to emails. I didn’t notice until I went out to get coffee and wondered why everyone was smiling at me; half “boss lady,” half “playtime chic.” So yes, laughter and pride are pretty much daily vitamins in my world!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Promise Okoye, founder of Beauty Splendour and More Than Braids Academy, based in Glasgow, Scotland.
I’ve been in the hair and beauty industry for over a decade, and my journey started with a deep love for creativity, culture, and connection. What began as a small braiding studio has grown into something so much bigger, a movement that’s about empowerment, education, and embracing all hair textures and backgrounds.
At Beauty Splendour, we believe beauty isn’t just about appearance; it’s about confidence and care. And through More Than Braids Academy, we’re now teaching people from all walks of life how to braid, parents who want to care for their children’s hair, professionals adding new skills, or anyone simply wanting to connect more deeply through touch and creativity.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
Growing up, I honestly believed I had to make myself small to be loved. I thought being the “good girl”- quiet, polite, always doing the right thing, would somehow make life easier. I laugh about it now because I realise how exhausting that was!
Over the years, through a lot of life lessons (and a fair bit of therapy), I learned that my voice, ideas, and presence were never meant to be hidden. I don’t have to shrink to fit in, I can stand tall and take up space, and still be kind, graceful, and powerful all at once.
Now I know that being fully me; loud laughter, bold dreams, and all, is exactly what I was meant to be.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I think that moment came for me one cold, grey afternoon walking through Hogganfield park in Glasgow. I remember feeling completely lost, anxious, heartbroken, and just… empty. Life had felt like it was falling apart, and for the first time, I had to face myself honestly.
As I walked, I kept asking, “God, where are you?” But deep down, I realised it wasn’t about where God was, it was about where I was. I had given away my power for too long, letting life happen to me instead of leading it. That day, I made a decision: no more.
I went home, looked in the mirror, and said out loud, “Promise, take your power back.” That was the shift, not an instant miracle, but a moment of truth.
Since then, I’ve learned that pain isn’t meant to break us. It’s meant to build us. Every scar, every tear, became fuel for my purpose. I stopped hiding my pain when I realised it was my greatest teacher and I started using it as power when I decided to rebuild my life, not from fear, but from faith and freedom.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would definitely say that what really matters to me is connection: real, meaningful, heart-to-heart connection. I care deeply about people feeling seen, valued, and celebrated for who they truly are.
They’d also tell you that I’m passionate about growth. I love seeing people evolve, step into their power, and realise what’s possible for them. Whether it’s through braiding, teaching, or just a deep chat over coffee, I want people to leave feeling lighter and more confident.
And if you ask them, they’d probably laugh and say, “Oh, Promise loves a good adventure!” because I’m always planning the next trip. Travel has become such a big part of my life, every country I visit teaches me something new about people, culture, and even myself.
They’ll also tell you I’m grounded in faith, family, and purpose and that no matter how busy things get, I always find a way to mix work, love, and laughter (and maybe a cheeky suitcase or two).
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I made them feel something: seen, heard, valued, and inspired to believe in their own magic. That I lived with purpose and poured love, faith, and creativity into everything I touched.
I want the story people tell about me to be one of resilience and light, that I turned pain into purpose, challenges into chapters, and always found beauty, even in the hard moments.
I hope they’ll remember me as someone who used her gifts to serve others, through braiding, teaching, storytelling, and just being present. That I helped people reconnect with themselves and reminded them they have the power to shape their own story.
And maybe they’ll smile and say, “Promise lived a full life! She loved deeply, travelled widely, laughed loudly, and left a little sparkle everywhere she went.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.beautysplendour.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautysplendour/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/promise-okoye-02059762/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Braidmaster/
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beauty_splendour
Image Credits
Hair artist- @beautysplendour
Photography- @psamp86, @shotsbysherrie
Models- @yesleidy, @fernandakimani, @leilainatimi
Makeup artist- @makeupartistalexandra
Creative director – @elisa.axavier
Studio – @realigncreative
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
