Meet Aissatou Dieng

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aissatou Dieng.

Aissatou, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hello, my name is Aissatou Dieng. I’m from Dakar, Senegal. I’m a fourth-year college student at the Ohio State University. Three years ago, I was looking for hair care products made in Senegal. I tried having family and friends send me some through paid services but then I realized that it was way too expensive. I started doing some research on oils, butters and what their uses were for. Then the idea of creating my own business hit me, I didn’t create my haircare & skincare line to make money but rather to help those who are struggling with the same problems I encountered a couple of years back. From there I started exporting oils and butters from Senegal and mixing them with the resources I have here. I didn’t want to stop at just making products from African men & women but everyone. I represent an entire generation, and I came to win no matter what. I try making as many products as I can to be able to provide for everybody (every skin type ANd color ). Although it might be hard sometimes, making products have helped me forget about my stress and made me fall. In love with my creations.

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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. I faced numerous challenges such as little to no orders for weeks, financial issues, not being able to provide to my customers due to delivery issues due to the corona. But family and friends have supported me through the journey and because of them, I’m thankful to say we’re going to make it. The corona really slowed the business and many customers were skeptical about buying as it would take a lot of time for them to get it and some weren’t working at the time.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m most proud of the steps I took when creating my business. As a fourth-year college student, it sometimes gets hard for me to focus on different things at the same time but I try to juggle them and set a schedule for each task that I might have. During my free time, I try to come up with better products labels, names, new products, etc.. I also try to focus on posting on social media and reaching out to customers to see how they felt about the products. The products create a way between my customers and I and through that way we develop a professional relationship where they confide in what they like and don’t like about a product. What sets me apart from others is the patience, love, care and creativity I put into my products. I ship worldwide. I’ve had customers from Canada, France, Italy, Spain, Gambia, etc… The two countries where I get most of my demands from are Senegal and the United States. While I aim to make most of my products organic, some might a little bit of chemical mix in order to provide effectiveness. My products are cruelty-free, paraben-free and 70% of the products are organic. Another important thing that sets me apart from others is that everyone makes bar soaps, they might use different molds to make them look attractive. I mix in the American and African culture. In Africa, most soapmakers make their soaps in molds and then pound them to give them vibrant colors. I pound my soaps after making them and put them in containers for hygiene reasons.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Yes, the apps that help me do my best in life are Canva, Instagram, Inshot, Facebook, and Snapchat.

Pricing:

• Rosemary Shampoo Bar – $12.99
• Body Butter – $14.99
• Fairy Growth Hair Oil – $16.99
• Wonderland Body Gel – 12.99

Contact Info:

• Email: Afairyswporld@gmail.com
• Website: www.Afairysworld.ecwid.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afairysworld/?hl=en
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/afairysworld

Image Credits
Tabara D
Marie S
Shutterstock