When the odds seemed stacked against her, 25-year-old Emilia Emvula chose to rise through creativity and courage.

Today, her small but steadily growing business, Emie’s Beauty Spa at Ekuku in Oshakati, stands as proof that survival can inspire purpose.

Emvula, a soft-spoken yet determined young entrepreneur, said the idea of starting a spa was born out of desperation.

She shared that after finishing school, she struggled to secure employment and had no one to depend on financially.

“Life was tough. I had to figure out how I was going to survive,” she said.

According to her, the beauty industry felt like the only door open to her, even as every other one remained closed.

With limited resources, she began offering simple treatments from home, just basic facial cleansing and back massages. But her consistency gradually earned her loyal customers.

“I told myself that even if I start small, I must start somehow. I refused to sit at home and complain,” she added.

As demand grew, Emvula took a leap and officially opened Emie’s Beauty Spa, now located at the Forever Electrical building, next to Pena in Ekuku, Oshakati.

Her services range from relaxation massages and deep-tissue treatments to foot spa sessions, facials, scrubs, kids’ massages, and more.

Despite being fully self-funded, she has equipped her spa with the essentials for professional service.

“I aim to give people comfort and healing. When a client tells me that they feel better after my service, that alone motivates me to keep going,” she said.

To make her services more accessible, Emvula introduced Black Friday specials, which ran from 20 November to 06 December 2025.

Treatments such as facial cleansing, foot spa, relaxation massages, and hot-stone therapy are now offered at discounted prices ranging from N$150 to N$450.

This, she said, was her way of giving back to the community that supported her from the very beginning.

Emvula’s journey hasn’t been easy. She had to overcome doubts, financial constraints, and fear of failure, but passion kept her going.

“I learned that your background does not determine your future. You need to be willing to start with what you have,” said the entrepreneur.

Her goal is to expand the spa, introduce more advanced beauty services, and eventually train other young women who, like her, are striving to survive.

For now, she remains focused on growing her brand and reminding others that success requires effort.

“If I made it this far, anyone can,” she said confidently.

-vkaapanda@nepc.com.na

Photo: Victoria Immanuel