The inaugural Beauty Business Exhibition was recently held at the O’Zodiac Star Pension in Outapi, with over 200 attendees and 22 exhibitors gathered to witness a convergence of entrepreneurship, empowerment and celebration. People travelled from all over the country, including Walvis Bay, Ruacana, Windhoek, Oshakati and Okahao to exhibit and attend the event.
Building anticipation ahead of the two-day exhibition, an activation night hosted at Ayoba Lifestyle, Namibian musician Top Cheri, set the tone with an empowering performance, supported by DJ Meknolis. The event drew in young professionals, creatives and beauty enthusiasts from the Omusati region.
The crowd was incredibly interactive and full of energy. You could feel the anticipation and excitement in the air. I’m truly honoured to be part of such a great initiative that’s getting people engaged, inspired and actively involved in building something meaningful in the beauty and business industry, Top Cheri said.
Organised by CH Growth Advertising under the leadership of Zenao Andowa, the event included expert-led sessions on mental health, finance, brand positioning, marketing, wellness and motherhood in business. Notable speakers included Matias Taukuheke, Ashanty Shatipamba, Albertina Nangolo, Ilke Platt, Dr. Helena Ileka, Maria Nepembe– Amunyela, Linea Iipinge and governor of the Omusati, Immanuel Shikongo, on behalf of the keynote speaker, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology Emma Theofelus.
Each speaker and session sparked insightful conversations around visibility, regional innovation and community collaboration. The energy of the attendees and the meaningful connections formed echoed the event’s mission, to shift the narrative and build Outapi into a recognised hub for the beauty, spa, and wellness industry. As mentioned in the keynote address, “The beauty, wellness, health and fitness are powerful forces, impacting both individuals and society.
While they offer opportunities for self-expression and economic growth, it’s crucial to promote a more inclusive environment and celebrate achievements. You are the trendsetters, the artists, and the visionaries who shape the narrative of the industry. This exhibition is a chance to ignite your passion, connect with your community and chart your course towards success in your various businesses.”
The exhibition was a call to action for collaboration, mentorship and investment in northern Namibia’s growing beauty and wellness sector. “We owe it to our people to have interesting, educational and uplifting platforms such as this. It is our responsibility to lift and empower our fellow Namibians with knowledge and opportunities,” Andowa said.
“The goal of this exhibition was to create visibility, recognition and growth for beauty and wellness professionals in Outapi and surrounding areas, and it achieved exactly that.”
Sponsors included Kinetic Wizard, Nesha Medical Practice, Design Hub and Uukalinawa Pharmacy. Poiyah Media, the official public relations partner and Radio Energy, the official media partner, ensured continuous momentum before and during the event. NBC WHATA Lifestyle was also present and covered the long-awaited event.
Attendee Mathias Taukuheke, said, “We could learn about the different businesses in the industry and be exposed to a whole new world. It was so beautiful to see men and women get facial treatment, hair and make-up done. I can’t wait for the next one.”
Organisers are already planning for future editions, with feedback indicating strong demand for regular forums of this nature.
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