We recently connected with Folake Adebayo and have shared our conversation below.
Folake, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I developed my confidence and self esteem first and foremost from my relationship with God. Growing up as a dark skin Nigerian girl that was constantly getting bullied for my heritage and skin complexion, I always felt less than my peers. This in turn, made me feel very insecure and silenced. Nurturing my relationship with God as a young girl really helped me grow in confidence along with my passion for Beauty and personal care. When I began doing hair and makeup for myself and my siblings/friends around the age of 15/16 I was really able to tap into the creative and empowered version of myself. Once I knew how to do hair and makeup for myself I honestly started to feel invincible because I knew that this skill would transform my life not just through my looks but always in the way that I saw myself as a fearfully and wonderfully made child of God.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I enjoy being able to aid in people’s confidence and self esteem. This ties together in what I do as an RN and Beauty entrepreneur. That is essentially where my passion for Beauty and personal care stems from, understanding that there are so many different types of stressors that can interfere with one’s personal care. As a Nurse, we are constantly empowering people to improve the state of their health and/or boost their confidence in themselves to be able to do so.
When I started my brand, STDIO Beauty in 2019 the vision was to create a space for people like me to embrace their uniquely beautiful identity and empower them to tap into their greatest potential. That is what it means to Be U in STDIO Beauty and thankfully with the help of a growing community and A LOT of blood, sweat, and tears. We will be celebrating five years in business! In honor of this milestone we are hosting The Glamorous Giving Gala! A red-carpet fundraising gala and networking event March 16, 2025 to give back and celebrate Women’s History Month. Learn more here; GlamorousGivingGala.com
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are optimism, resilience, and adaptability. To best develop these skills you have to be okay with taking risks and failing. Optimism helps you envision good outcomes even when the odds are not in your favor which can keep you striving towards your end goal. Resilience and adaptability develops when starting anything new and staying the course. You will not have a smooth ride at all times but you have to learn to bounce back from your losses or mistakes and adjust as needed moving forward.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
STDIO Beauty seeks partnerships with individuals and organizations that align with our mission of empowerment, inclusivity, and community impact. Ideal partners include beauty influencers, lifestyle content creators, and public figures who can amplify our brand through ambassadorships, social campaigns, and event appearances. We also aim to collaborate with corporate sponsors in industries like beauty, fashion, and wellness for event sponsorships, exclusive product collaborations, and employee engagement programs. Additionally, nonprofits and advocacy groups focused on empowering women and advancing diversity are key collaborators for co-hosted fundraisers, awareness campaigns, and donation initiatives. Professional organizations, social clubs, and media outlets are also valuable partners for exclusive member perks, event coverage, and cross-promotion opportunities.
Partnerships can take various forms, such as co-branded events, shared marketing initiatives, or joint content creation. For events like the Glamorous Giving Gala, partners can provide sponsorships, branded giveaways, or media coverage to enhance visibility and engagement. Cross-promotions, exclusive product integrations, and mission-driven campaigns are other ways to create meaningful collaboration. By working with like-minded groups, we aim to amplify our impact while delivering value to our partners and shared audiences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.glamorousgivinggala.com/
- Instagram: @stdiobeauty
- Facebook: @stdiobeauty
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
