Today we’d like to introduce you to Omolara Adedeji.
Omolara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a New York City native, predominantly raised in Maryland–commonly referred to as the “DMV.” Being a first-generation Nigerian woman, education was instilled as the key to success and financial freedom. I attended Penn State University in 2009, studying Architectural Engineering. I was creative, innovative and resourceful growing up so it seemed like the perfect career for me… until I couldn’t afford the out-of-state tuition. There was only Plan A: to go to school and graduate. Never been taught what to do if I couldn’t afford college, I simply went back to work, depressed and all.
Unbeknownst to me, having to withdraw divinely led me to my purpose. In the process of figuring out what I wanted to do with my life and having so much time on my hands not having to write papers, I emerged from my state of depression and expressed my artistry by playing in a lot of makeup. Working at Victoria’s Secret allowed me to encounter women who valued my craft and wanted to pay for my services. What I thought was a hobby, was then coupled with the golden question of “how much do you charge?” That was my ‘aha moment.’
I attended the Aveda Institute in 2014 and received my cosmetology license within the next 1 ½ years after learning that ‘people take you as serious as you take yourself.’ I went from being intrigued with the aesthetic of commercial buildings to enhancing the aesthetic of people. As a makeup artist, I established a bridal-makeup business and had a client once where I had to cover her black-eye (caused by her fiancé). From then, I knew that the privilege to enter into vulnerable spaces with my clientele was not only about my gift, but also my purpose: to empower women to live authentically and love themselves wholly beyond the makeup. But it started with me, I had to let go of my failures, toxic relationships and shortcomings to understand that those things didn’t make me invaluable or unsuccessful. I was challenged to uncover the messiness of my life, heal, and walk-in power and not shame.
I thrived in my business, but I wanted to get out of the DMV bubble and see the world. I moved to London for a couple of months to explore. My wanderlust trip was the season that changed the trajectory of my life forever. I thought being in one of the fashion capitals of the world would be something to brag about on Instagram, but I worked as a babysitter. What I got instead of bragging rights was a good look in the mirror. I could either create a fictitious life vying for the approval/validation of people or live authentically and enjoy my real life—which was full of love, value, and opportunity. I chose the latter.
I returned to the US, but the travel bug never left me. In addition to running my business, I applied to be a part-time flight attendant with Southwest Airlines. Summer 2017, I ended up in Dallas, knowing no one or if I’d get hired, to establish myself and rebuild my clientele. Neither worked out. I didn’t get the position and it was much harder to build a clientele not having any friends. In my spare time, I read all day to feed my mind with positivity during my job search. After reading the quote “write the book you wish you would’ve read when you were younger,” I slowly began writing my book “Back to Me: Boss Up & Own Your Truth to Live Free from The Need for Approval” (which I later self-published in 2018).
With my savings running out by the day, I applied to be a front-desk associate at a nail salon to get my foot into the Dallas beauty world. Luckily for me, I was hired as a nail technician even though I didn’t have experience besides doing my own nails. I never thought I would do nails, but I accepted the job (mama needed money okay!). I enjoyed providing makeup for brides but being a nail technician opened me up to a world of creativity, business acumen, and skills that I didn’t know I possessed.
Currently, as a nail professional, I converse with people day in and day out. One subject that constantly comes up is dating and the disappointment/frustrations with it. With Dallas being a major transplant city, the dating scene can be quite interesting. As opposed to writing my 2nd book about dating, I wanted to keep the conversation going outside of a book. I created “Dating Decoded,” a dinner-based podcast where we make sense of why dating has become so convoluted. Alongside my two amazing cohosts—Brooklyn and Will, we dine, discuss and decode the lessons we’ve learned from our experiences, while sharing wisdom we’ve gained, all for the purpose of helping our generation flourish in healthy, purposeful relationships. And what better way to do that than over food.
As a nail technician by day, and an author/podcast host by night, I have the privilege of connecting and conversing with people—two of my favorite things! Along the way, I’ve been able to reconnect with friends from undergrad and establish new friendships. Dallas is a unique city and I look forward to making my mark, not only as a beauty professional but as a source of influence who facilitates honest conversations and curated events to help my generation win at relationships!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I struggled with feelings of abandonment that stemmed from my childhood as a result of my father not being present. The feeling of inadequacy was birthed from the void he left. As a child, I created a narrative that if I was without flaw, people wouldn’t leave. I carried that into adolescence and my early twenties. I became a caricature of myself and entertained toxic relationships, constantly seeking approval and validation. My father passed away when I was 18 and instead of taking time to heal, I further pursued men in an effort to gain companionship and love. Not knowing, they could never fill the void my dad left. One broken relationship after another, I realized I was the common denominator in the disappointment I experienced.
I made the choice to enjoy being single and establish a relationship with God so I could heal. I’ve cultivated a healthy love of self that I can now extend to others. As I continue to walk out my journey, I trust that it’ll include a healthy love I can share with my husband and children one day.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
By profession, I am a cosmetologist, offering nail care services in Uptown Dallas. As a nail technician, I exercise my artistic abilities by executing unique nail art. I care for my clients’ nails in such a way that promotes growth, leaving my clients with a confident glow.
Concerning my passion projects, I am a self-published author. My book is titled “Back to Me: Boss Up & Own Your Truth to Live Free from The Need for Approval.” Within my book, I share the twists and turns of my journey from identifying with inadequacy to becoming healthy and whole in hopes to help my readers take ownership of their lives – managing their imperfections like a boss so they can experience the benefits of living an honest, authentic life of freedom.
My newest passion is the “Dating Decoded” podcast I created. I host this dinner-based show to offer-up thought-provoking questions and transparent dialogue to make sense of various aspects of dating as a Millennial in Dallas. Alongside my two amazing cohosts—Brooklyn and Will, we dine, discuss and decode the lessons we’ve learned from our experiences, while sharing wisdom we’ve gained, all for the purpose of helping our generation flourish in healthy, purposeful relationships. And what better way to do that than over food.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly, I wouldn’t start over or do anything differently. I love who I am, who I’m becoming, who all I’ve met along my journey, and where life is taking me. If I changed the deck of cards I was dealt in any way, I’d be sacrificing the lessons I’ve learned and the wisdom I’ve gained as a result.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/queen_omi
- Instagram: @queen_omi
- Other: @datingdecoded_podcast
Image Credit:
Ray Perenia Photography
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