Life & Work with Amelie Astrid Coffi of Ohio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amelie Astrid Coffi.

Hi Amelie Astrid, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Coffico African Beauty & Fashion was born from my passion for African culture, creativity, and natural beauty. Originally from Senegal with family roots in Benin, I have always been inspired by the rich colors, artistry, and traditions of African fashion and design.

My journey started over 16 years ago when my youngest daughter was born with eczema. That experience led me to begin making homemade soaps and natural body products using gentle, natural ingredients. Over time, my passion expanded into jewelry, accessories, fashion, and handcrafted items that celebrate African heritage and culture.

With a background in hospitality and management, I combined my business experience with my creativity to build Coffico African Beauty & Fashion. What started as a small passion project gradually grew into a business where I curate and create African-inspired jewelry, clothing, accessories, and natural beauty products that help people express themselves while connecting with culture and craftsmanship.

Today, I continue to grow the business while refining the brand to focus on curated fashion, statement jewelry, accessories, and natural beauty products. My goal is to create a lifestyle brand that celebrates beauty, culture, confidence, and authenticity while bringing unique African-inspired products to the community.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey has definitely not been a completely smooth road, but every challenge has helped me grow both personally and professionally.

One of the biggest struggles has been balancing creativity with the business side of entrepreneurship. As a small business owner, especially without a brick-and-mortar location, I have had to wear many hats — managing inventory, attending events and festivals, marketing, finances, product creation, and customer engagement, often with limited resources.

Another challenge has been learning how to streamline and restructure the business. Over time, I carried a wide variety of products, which made inventory management and cash flow more difficult. I am now in the process of refining the brand and focusing on the categories that best represent Coffico’s vision and strengths.

Like many small businesses, I have also experienced slower sales periods and the uncertainty that comes with relying heavily on events and vendor markets. Building an online presence and adapting to changing customer shopping habits has been an ongoing learning process.

Despite the challenges, I remain passionate about what I do.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am the owner and creative force behind Coffico African Beauty & Fashion, a business that celebrates African culture through fashion, jewelry, accessories, and natural beauty products. I specialize in curating and creating unique African-inspired pieces that combine cultural authenticity with modern style.

One of the areas I am most passionate about is handcrafted jewelry and natural beauty products. I create and curate statement jewelry pieces using materials such as brass, natural stones, beads, ebony wood, and recycled materials. I also developed my natural skin and hair care line after my personal journey of making homemade products for my daughter, who struggled with eczema as a baby. That experience deepened my understanding of the importance of natural ingredients and inspired me to help others embrace healthier beauty alternatives.

What I am most proud of is building a business that reflects culture, creativity, and purpose while continuing to evolve and grow. As an immigrant woman entrepreneur, I have worked hard to turn my passion into a brand that not only offers beautiful products but also helps people connect with African artistry and heritage.

What sets Coffico apart is the combination of fashion, culture, craftsmanship, and storytelling behind the products. Many of the items are handmade, carefully sourced, or personally created, giving customers a more meaningful and unique experience. I strive to create products that make people feel confident, beautiful, and connected to culture and individuality.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was very creative, curious, and observant. I have always been drawn to beauty, culture, fashion, and the arts. I loved colors, fabrics, jewelry, decorating, and finding ways to express creativity through different forms. Being raised in Senegal with family roots in Benin gave me a deep appreciation for African culture, traditions, craftsmanship, and community from a young age.

I was also hardworking and independent. I enjoyed learning new things and was always interested in people, hospitality, and creating welcoming environments for others, which later influenced both my professional career and my business journey.

At the same time, I was naturally caring and nurturing, always wanting to help others feel comfortable and confident. That part of my personality eventually inspired my passion for natural beauty and self-care products.

Even as a child, I enjoyed combining creativity with practical ideas, which is something that still defines me today as an entrepreneur and creator. Looking back, many of the interests and qualities I had growing up — creativity, resilience, curiosity, and love for culture and beauty — are the same things that continue to shape Coffico African Beauty & Fashion today.

Pricing:

• Handmade and statement jewelry pieces typically range from $15–$85.depending on materials and design.
• Natural beauty and self-care products range from $8–$35.
• African-inspired clothing pieces generally range from $25–$120.
• Accessories such as headwraps, bags, and shawls range from $10–$75.
• Coffico African Beauty & Fashion also offers gift options and curated sets for special occasions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cofficobeautyfashion.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cofficoafricanbeauty
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cofficobeautyfashion