ABOUT

I AM YUMMIE O.

It feels like yesterday while working in Corporate America as an IT Consultant. During this time, I had an “aha moment” - a realization that there had to be a career that served a higher purpose. Then, life took a beautiful turn when I became a mom – a turning point that changed everything, and undoubtedly, for the better.

Guided by my mom's encouragement and inspired by my entry into motherhood, I was driven to bring my passion for hair to life through the art of business. At the time, the hair extensions industry was on the rise. I identified an opportunity and embarked on a journey to establish the finest quality hair extensions brand with the best customer experience, Yummy Extensions.

With a $2,000 investment and countless hours outside my 9-to-5 job, my home-based side business started with unwavering support from my family. In the first year, Yummy Extensions quickly became a multimillion-dollar hair brand and hasn't slowed down.

I leveraged my natural inclination for problem-solving, corporate background, passion for hair, and skill set in e-commerce to help with this growth. I intently listened to the needs of my customers, the Yummy Girls, throughout the years and reached a significant accomplishment of growing and uniting a strong community of over 100,000 women who share a common bond: the love for hair and its deeper meaning.

This outstanding growth led me to take the next step. I created KOSA Professionals in 2020 – an innovative hot tools brand meticulously crafted to cater to all hair types using modern technology that efficiently preserves the integrity of hair.

My journey to success has been immensely fulfilling, but it has come with several challenges that I learned to overcome with time. The lessons I learned from these challenges inspire me to prioritize pouring back onto others, especially in the U.S. and my home country of Nigeria.

During Women’s History Month in 2022, I launched a Women in Business Scholarship, awarding ten women in business a $5,000 grant each and mentorship opportunities that have become an annual initiative. I have awarded over $100,000 to women-founded businesses since it launched.

After years of providing one-off mentorship, I am encapsulating all my curriculum to launch a more robust Yummie O. Mentorship Program focused on helping and empowering other female founders to gain the results they dream of. My determination knows no bounds.

Since building sister companies, Yummy Extensions, and KOSA Professionals, Yummie O. has become a behind-the-scenes mentor to many female founders across industries. When the Clubhouse app was introduced in 2020, she received invitations to participate in numerous panels and discussions where she generously shared her expertise in brand development, marketing, and operations

THE WHY

Inspired by the multitude of inquiries from fellow entrepreneurs navigating the challenges of building their brands, Yummie is committed to empowering female entrepreneurs by launching The Yummie Circle Experience. This mentorship program was thoughtfully designed for female founders in the beauty, lifestyle, and e-commerce sectors, enabling them to embark on a journey toward excellence and catapult their brands to new heights.

BEHIND THE BRANDS

MULTIPLE
RETAIL STORES

Alongside their strong e-commerce presence, customers are able to have an in-person experience at Yummy Extensions retail stores in Brooklyn, NY, and Dallas, TX. Yummy Extensions and KOSA Professionals have remained self-funded since the brands were launched.

CELEBRITY & BRAND PARTNERSHIPS

Yummy Extensions and subsidiary brands have been spotted by celebrities and TV personalities such as Saweetie, Angela Simmons, Vanessa Simmons, Lil Mama, Monica, Angela Basset, SZA, Teyana Taylor, Skaii Jackson, Cardi B, Jordyn Woods, and many more.  Some of them have moved on to be Brand Ambassadors. 

BRAND
GROWTH

Within the first year in 2013,  Yummy Extensions reached $1 million in revenue and has achieved a 60% revenue increase year over year, with client retention up to 70%. This growth has resulted from the community of Yummy Girls, who continue to support and love the brand.

TEAM
GROWTH

From being the only person who did everything within the brand, Yummie O. has led and grown her team to almost 50 employees and contractors.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

  • Nigerian entrepreneur Yummie O.’s journey from IT to hair extension brand founder

    MORE AT DALLAS NEWS

  • Meet the North Texas Local Becoming a Hair Extensions Mogul

    MORE AT D MAGAZINE

  • Yummie O.: From IT to Building a Multimillion-Dollar Extensions Company

    MORE AT POPSUGAR

  • Black Hair Industry Brands Launch Business Grants For Women’s History Month: Here’s Details On The Applications

    MORE AT MADAME NOIRE

  • $5,000 Grants Potentially Available To Black Women Businesses From Hair Extensions Brand

    MORE AT BLACK ENTERPRISE

  • From Vision to Thriving Business With Yummy Extensionsm

    MORE AT TEXAS TODAY

  • Empowered Women Empower: Meet Yummie O. Of Yummy Extensions & Kosa Professionals

    MORE AT LOVE HAPPENS

  • Yummy Extensions: Rooted in Confidence

    MORE AT SEZZLE

  • Female Founders: Yummie O of KOSA Professionals On Why We Need More Women Founders, and The Five Things You Need To Thrive as A Founder

    MORE AT MEDIUM