Today we’d like to introduce you to Princess Modupe Ozolua.
Princess Modupe, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My parents sent me to America at 17 years old, and I didn’t start coming back to Nigeria on holidays until I was 23 because they used to come to visit me in the States. Having owned my first business in America at 21, I knew I wanted to invest in Nigeria but didn’t know what type of business to go into.
I was still living in America when I discovered cosmetic surgery and immediately felt it would be a success in Nigeria because I know how much effort our men and women put into their physical appearance.
Growing up in Nigeria, I saw many family members and friends travel to Europe to indulge in luxury spas, health farms, etc. I knew Nigerian women and men would appreciate the opportunity to improve their physical appearance in the comfort of their own country with family and aids around to take care of them.
Knowing those facts, I made some additional inquiries with some people, got extremely positive feedback and thus proceeded to establish Body Enhancement Ltd in Nigeria. I flew in top plastic surgeons from Beverly Hills, California to Nigeria to render both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery for paying clients.
My company, Body Enhancement Ltd, received instant global and national recognition for put Nigeria, the world’s most populous Black nation, on the global map as a destination for cosmetic surgery; and simultaneously, it commenced the feminine movement in the country.
In 2003, a couple came to my office seeking reconstructive surgery for the wife who had severe burns and lacerations from a fire accident. Unfortunately, they couldn’t afford to pay for it and narrated how they had made numerous appeals to wealthy individuals for financial assistance but to no success.
I found that very disturbing that no-one had helped them. The husband suddenly said “Madam, why don’t you help people like us? When you speak, people will listen.”
Immediately they left my office, I picked up my phone, called my head plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and told him I was starting a non-profit to help underprivileged people and I wanted him to put together a team of surgeons to come help people for free in Nigeria.
Then, the organization was called BEARS Foundation and within months, we commenced our first humanitarian program, which provided free corrective surgery to children born with birth defects.
Today, the organization is called “Empower 54” because our activities are around Africa and I have been a dedicated philanthropist for 16 years.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Pioneering a “controversial” service such as cosmetic surgery in a country deeply rooted in religious and cultural beliefs that suppress women wasn’t easy at all!
18 years ago, it was unheard of for a young divorced 27-year-old Princess with a young son to be a successful businesswoman; plus pioneering a highly specialized CONTROVERSIAL medical service. Back then, only much older people in their 40s or 50s were expected to excel as entrepreneurs.
Of course, things have changed but some of us had to break the barriers and stigma that came with being pioneers in different sectors. For over 14years, my business was the ONLY cosmetic surgery facility in a country with over 200 million people. I lived with the praises, harsh criticism and everything in-between that came with it.
Today, cosmetic surgery is extremely easily accessible in Nigeria. Few people remember the fight I had to put up to make sure men and women weren’t body-shamed into feeling it was wrong to improve their health, body, and state of mind.
Yes, I received major global and national recognition, became a household name, but the greatest reward it got was it exposed me to underprivileged people that needed reconstructive surgery and I equally rose to the occasion and made sure they received it for free.
The biggest lesson was realizing that I thought I was returning home to Nigeria to invest in a business (cosmetic surgery services), but I later realized that it was merely a platform that God/The Universe set up for me to find my true calling. Which is to help people.
The sleeplessness nights, worries, etc are still there… actually worse… but now, for a much greater cause; much greater than acquiring wealth or fame.
My advice is to remember that “How the day starts, doesn’t necessarily dictate how it ends.”
Today, you might be on one path, planning for tomorrow; not knowing what tomorrow has in store for you. As long as you are true to yourself, your beliefs and your passion, you can’t afford to be distracted by challenges that come up… because they always will!
Be ready to adjust, make tough decisions irrespective of concerns about what others would “say”, don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself because you will ALWAYS grow… ONLY as long as your transition is true to yourself, passion and beliefs.
As long as you do that, you will be just fine!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Empower 54 – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Different people know me for pioneering cosmetic surgery in West Africa and my philanthropy work in Africa.
After pioneering cosmetic surgery in 2001, I founded my nonprofit, Empower 54 in 2003. The charity is my true calling, passion, and life. I am extremely hands-on with our programs, especially fieldwork.
Both organizations demanded my undivided attention, which was difficult because, with the cosmetic surgery business, I consulted with clients, was in the operating room during their surgeries and worked with doctors for post-operation treatments.
For the charity, I work with top government officials, partners, staff and on the field rendering humanitarian aid; these kept me out of my offices more than the cosmetic surgery.
Based on their unique demands, I had to choose between one or the other.
To make matters worse, every time the press interviewed me, they only wanted to talk about cosmetic surgery. I knew for the charity to survive and get the attention it deserved for us to get the necessary support in helping the helpless; the private business had to go. An extremely tough decision had to be made.
Although I used monies paid by wealthy clients for cosmetic surgery to help the poor, it honestly wasn’t a tough decision because my happiness came from helping the less privileged.
For eight years, I strategically stopped granting interviews about the cosmetic surgery business before I finally shut it down. During that period, only press releases about Empower 54’s works were put out, so the focus was solely on the needs of the poor, not what was the trending cosmetic surgery procedure. That was how Empower 54 survived and grew.
Empower 54, our guiding vision is a world where underprivileged individuals have opportunities to overcome poverty, illiteracy, and diseases. Through various programs, we provide life-changing aid and opportunities to children and adults, enabling them to live healthy, productive lives.
Our programs are focused on aspects of health, education and women empowerment. We currently work in Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with plans of expanding to other African countries and are blessed to have His Emeritus, Archbishop Desmond Tutu as our Patron.
Were there people and/or experiences you had in your childhood that you feel laid the foundation for your success?
I was blessed with the most amazing parents and they truly shaped my life as it is today! Unfortunately, I didn’t spend much time with them before they passed away shortly after I started my cosmetic surgery in Nigeria.
As a child, I went to boarding schools, was sent to America when I was barely 17 years old, and returned at 27 years to start my business. My mother suddenly died of a heart problem a few months after I start my business, my father also died a few years later.
Although we always spoke on the phone, wrote letters and saw on holidays, now, I know it wasn’t enough. I wish I still have them here to guide me more than ever.
But, I thank God they saw me make a success of my life before they died. I still reflect on their letters filled with advice and love.
The first thing my father used to say to me was the question, “Are you happy?” Without thinking, I would answer “Yes, papa, I’m happy.” He would say, “good, I want you to be always happy.”
Back then, I didn’t know it was a very heavy question, but now I know the happiness isn’t promised or given freely to anyone, you must fight for it.
With my father’s voice always ringing in my head, I NEVER venture into anything… work or personal… that I am not completely happy with.
No matter how tempting an opportunity is, if I’m not at complete peace with it, I DON’T touch it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.empower54.org
- Email: info@empower54.org
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/empower54, http://instagram.com/princessmodupeozolua
- Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/empower54org/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/empower54
- Other: http://youtube.com/channel/UCgJ1bCmte2at3wSQRfTN6HQ
Image Credit:
Empower 54
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