Obogine Totalicious

Am sure you will be wandering what a food picture is doing on my skincare blog, well, I want to share this lovely photo I took of  luch we made over the weekend.
Although, I actually I did not cook this one from start to finish, I helped out with the preparation.  It was hubby who did and I was happy to snap away and eventually tuck in with delight. The reason I brought this to your attention, is to share my philosophy of what you eat is also as imprtant as what you put on your skin. I don't use receipe books to cook but I enjoy buying and collecting them. Not alot though, because most Africans I know don't use receipe books to cook, including myself.But that is all changing now. Some books I collect because of the amazing pictures of the food and how it is presented. Remember, we see food through our eyes, then we smell the aroma and eventually eat by tasting.  Hence, I share a picture of this lovely lunch we made..  Let me know if you try it out sometime. Enjoy.

How to prepare:

1. Buy some lovely obogine, we used 3, cut in half and Scoop out the inside to make enough space to scoop in a filling but not to thin not to have enough to eat when it is ready.

2. Season your filling, we used minced meat. But firstly cut out some sweet red peppers, orange peppers, garlic, ginger and onions. Now chop the vegetables up.
Heat your pan and pour in a bit of olive oil or sunflower oil and wok the minced meat for about 5mins. Enough time to make sure that the minced meat and peppers and herbs are all marinated and almost cooked. I use a lot of hebs when cooking and this one has, cinnamon, chives, parrika, and hot pepper and sprinkle of salt to taste.



3. Then scoop the mixture into your oborgine and fill well.

4. Pop it in to the oven to bake for about 20 minutes. Infact after 10 minutes in the oven you will begin to small the aroma of the spice and it is absolutely beautiful.

5. Check that the oborgine is properly baked, you will notice a slight brownish colour and the juice from the oborgine- then it is ready to eat.

6 Here is a picture of the final stage - we topped it up with some fresh tomatoes-  it is delicious with a nice glass of wine. Bona petit.

P.S- I wasn't sure what name to give it though!

What do you think?

Catching Up from WuChi HQ

How time flies, can you believe it is almost Christmas. My apologies if you have not heard much for a while on the blog. I assure you that  we have been very busy behind the scence and on social media making sure our customers are always happy. Here's a quick behind the scence catch up;

I had a lovely summer and spent time with the family. We visited Oxford, Chambridge, Brighton and finally mixed a bit of business and pleasure in Garde lest (Paris) which was really nice and extremely hot . 

Lately, we have done quite a few in house WuChi videos in the last couple of months with our very own professional team and looking forward to sharing the details of the new project with you all. We are currently preparing and will be at the New Islington Specialist Crafts Market coming up four saturdays before Christmas. So, enough time and dates to stock up on our beautiful products for your loved ones.

In the mean time, I would like to say thank you to everyone around the world who's dropped by our blog to catch up on old post on beauty advice, articles and behind the scene information at WuChi HQ.

Maks xxx

Picture Credit: Me.On my Phone after show.

We've Been Growing Our Own Vegetables

Last year I joined my local community growing project to grow our own vegetables. Natural and organic as it comes. And the children loved it. We grew runner beans, some corn, tomatoes, peppers and Courgettes which all came in handy in the cooking pot. And the satisfaction that we grew it our selves was rewarding and priceless, especially for the whole family.

We enjoyed the community scheme and met very friendly , keen family growers and decided to grow more this year. So, we have collected our seeds and this year, we are growing more tomatoes, spinach, some more beans and vegetables. I will keep you informed of how we get on. Here's to a community growing spirit wherever you are . For more information about our community garden project visit  www.outofmyshed.co.uk

WuChi by Maks- Wins Future 100 Award 2010

 The Future 100 Awards, profiles young entrepreneurs who are demonstrating entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture; one which demonstrates a balance between economic, environmental and social goals to achieve ultimate business success.


We had the honour of attending the awards during global entrepreneurship week, hosted by striding out and Natwest at the British Library on the 18th November 2010. "I am honoured and delighted to be named a Future 100 entrepreneur, as it recognises the hard work we do in making our luxurious ethical skincare products.


The Future 100 awards, encourages and rewards extraordinary vision, ethical business practice and social responsibility. They aim to showcase businesses that offer innovative and sustainable solutions to social problems. The Future 100 Awards is organized by Striding Out  a social enterprise which is committed to supporting the development and growth of young and ethical entrepreneurs.
You see the list of this years  Future 100 winners here

WuChi by Maks- on BBC News 24

We were recently contacted by producers of a new BBC news 24 programme called 'Show me the Money'. I was asked to show and demonstrate my expertise in making natural skincare products. And then interviewed about how WuChi by Maks was started, the benefits of  running a business, being an entrepreneur and the challenges of running and growing a company from scratch.

It is one thing when you are working by your self and very different when you have journalist and the camera watching.

Part two was then filmed at the BIPC with other female entrepreneurs to discuss the benefit we derive from a women's networking group. It focused on how we help and empower each other at different stages of  our businesses and the benefits networking with other entrepreneurs brings. The whole experience was fantastic.

Having now watched the BBC feature which was shown yesterday the 31st October, it went really well. It was a wonderful experience it projected what we do and how hard we work at WuChi HQ making our lovely luxurious skincare products.  I  had fun filming the segment  and a lot of work went into the preparation. I feel privileged and blessed to be part of the experience. Thank you to the team.

Making Soaps for Christmas

The thought of making natural soap really does excite me. I love to look at them when they are unmoulded and laid out to cure. What a beautıful sight.  They look very beautiful and glorıous to behold.
There is joy at WuChi HQ when our newly made batch of soaps fınally come into there own, this is the usual 4-6 weeks when the soap are fully saponifıed and you can smell the gorgeous aroma of the scent.
Here at WuChi by Maks, all our soaps are handmade using the traditional cold process method where the naturally produced glycerine is retained to moisturise the skin, resulting in a long lasting creamy bar that lathers.I really do enjoy this process and wıll be sharıng the latest pictures of our newly made soaps.

WuChi by Maks @ You're Beautiful Woman Event

Last weekend  we were at the you're beautiful woman show in Highgate London.
We met a lot of our customers who dropped by to see us. It was nice to meet you and put faces to names and voices over the telephone. We also meet a lot of creative businesses and twitter followers.

Thank you to everyone who dropped by,  it was a pleasure to see you all. We look forward to meeting you again at our other events. Enjoy  your lovely goodies from WuChi by Maks. Visit our facebook page for full album.

Interview with Founder of WuChi by Maks - You Are Your Brand

I was interviewed  after my guest speaking engagement  at the British library and IP centre in May. This was in collaboration with the British Library's green and ethical month.
The feedbacks I received from the talk was absolutely fantastic and very positive. Days after,  I received an email from the lovely Sally Marsh of bonbonbalm.com  who was one of the attendes and this is what she had to say about my  talk- 
" Thanks for a brilliant talk! Just to let you know I have recommended you as a speaker to some other business organizations so you may possibly be contacted about this"  Sally Marsh
Thank you very much Sally. 


Sadly,  the video recording of the talk was lost at the last minute due to battery power. But, Cally Robson of She's Ingenious still performed a miracle over lunch by producing this unplanned video interview.





A little bit of the story of how we started...


Most people feel completely in the dark when it comes to branding a new product. In this interview, Amaka Olateju tells how she now realizes that SHE is key to fronting her luxury, ethically sourced organic skincare products, because her beliefs ARE her brand.

When Amaka Olateju found that none of the prescribed creams worked for her daughter's eczema, she turned to the knowledge handed down by her Nigerian grandmother who used herbs and natural products to produce healing remedies.

She spent more than 4 years creating and testing her own creams and lotions. Those that worked soon became popular among friends and family.

Amaka soon saw the potential for her remedies as a luxury range of natural skincare products, both organic and ethically sourced. She signed up to a business law and marketing degree and booked herself onto skincare manufacturing courses in her holidays. WuChi by Maks was born.

What Amaka didn't realize as she put together her website, was the importance of herself in promoting her business because everything she stands for IS her brand. But it's taken a journey of getting to know herself, and the world of business, to have the confidence to see it.

"You can achieve anything you set your mind to...but be prepared to work hard and know there will be good days and bad days. Establishing a business is like growing a seed...it will take care and constant attention but if you put in the hard work, the Universe makes sure that every step you take draws you closer to where you want to be."Amaka Olateju, Founder, WuChi by Maks

Champagne & Mingle Pamper Party @ WuChi - the after photos

I didn't quite have enough time to put up the lovely pictures from our last champagne and Mingle pamper party on the 12th June before dashing off to Nigeria for two weeks due to a family bereavement.

Thank you to everyone who came and made it a brilliant event. Thank you all for the suppport.

We all had a lovely time. The beauty team made a fantastic impact on making sure we all received a soothing massage in a tranquil, relaxed, atmosphere using the WuChi by Maks range of luxurious body oils. It was bliss and the feed backs very postive.

Here is some of the positive feed backs we received on the day from some of our precious, satisfied, customers...

 Relaxing body oil (lavender)
 " The lavender massage oil smells fabulous the blend of oil is wonderful- The best"
  Helena Konneh
  
Rose rejuvenating Day cream
" The Rose rejuvenating day cream is the best moisturiser i have ever used-it cant be rivalled"
Helena Konneh

 Nourishing night cream
"WuChi by Maks night cream!Wow! this is the most deliciously smooth, creamiest, softest night cream ever. My skin feels bautifully soft and moisturised just a small dab goes a long way"
Jenni McMillan


Almond Face scrub
" This product has a wonderful smooth texture to it... not heavy grains.my young tennage daughter has started to use it it's that mild. Thanks"
Kirstene Dixon

Champagne & Mingle Pamper Party @ WuChi by Maks 12th June 2010- Two more Days to go

Wow!  how time flies. Only  two more days to our Champagne & Mingle Pamper Party. We are putting finishing touches to last minute preparations.  Okay here we go;
Champagne- Check
Glasses -Check
Chocolate fountain- Working


Nail polishes- check- hmm lots of summery colours
Ladies- Check,  lots of confirmations-
Clay Mask- Check
Candles- Check

WuChi Team- working hard

The Boys- Watching football- World cup starts

Look forward to having a good time...

Behind the Scences @ WuChi by Maks - June 2010

Hello from sunny WuChi HQ. We are very excited, getting ready and preparing for two upcoming events in June. We will be at The Camden Green Fair on Sunday the 6th June in Regents Park London. This is a very popular event with life music,band stands and music performances, exhibitions, workshops, fun, and food  with plenty to do and see. This event attracts more than 20,000 visitors .If you do attend do pop by our stand to stock up on luxury goodies. Check out the Camden Green fair website for more information on www.camdengreenfair.org.uk

A week after that I am  very excited to be hosting another one of our popular pamper parties!!!

Champagne & Mingle Pamper Party @ WuChi by Maks 12th June 2010

I am always very excited about our Champagne and Mingle parties. Because of all the luxurious pampering treats available.
This time around our pamper corner specials includes!!

Nail painting corner-
Massage corner-
Facials corner-
DIY corner- to make face mask and sugar polish
10% off orders on the day
Win lucky goody bag worth

Plus luxury nibbles- a glass of champagne,chocolate fountain and exotic fruits to dip. yum yum..




image courtesy web.

Guest Speaking engagement @ the British Library & IP Centre 25th, May 2010

I am very excited to be invited as the guest speaker for She's Ingenious meet up in May at the British Library and IP centre taking place on the 25 May 2010. Where I will share my journey and experience of developing organic and ethical skincare business. Here is a link to book a place on the event .

This event coincides with the British Library Green and Ethical month in May and there are lots of events happening to raise awareness of how consumers and business can be greener and make ethical changes. See the whole programme and book here

About She' Ingenious

The Association for Women with New Product Ideas and Inventions is founded by new product development specialist and personal coach, Cally Robson.

The community represents the growing numbers of women who are coming up with innovative products and services, and using the Web to develop and promote them.
The Association's website is the central hub of the community, run with the aim of providing practical support and guidance, networking, know-how and inspiration to women who are commercializing their innovative product and business ideas across the UK and beyond.  Visit the website to find out more.

As you all know, Rome was not built in a day and every business experience is different. I am delighted and looking forward to meeting everyone to share with you the good the bad and ugly.  

Post Card from Antwerp

As they say all work and no play makes jack a dull boy. So what we did at WuChi HQ after a big project was to pack our case and retire for some fresh air in a calmer atmosphere. We spent a few days in Brussels and then unto our loveliest and final destination - Antwerp in Belgium.  The kids loved it and so did we.

I personally feel in love with the old traditional bikes in Antwerp and the fact that people were not in such a haste as we always are here in London. Sometimes, going to calmer environments help you appreciate and enjoy life more. We walked, we relaxed, we shopped, we laughed and we eat.

One of my favourite places there was the champagne and snail soup stall served with a glass of white wine in the old market a few walks away from the buzzing shopping street in city central. Plus the sun was just right and we really had a great time. I will definitely go back even if it is just for the snail soup. I will try and blog more about what we are up to behind the scenes at WuChi because we are not all about lotions and potions we do love our food and some fresh air and a bit of a chat too.
Glad to have made it back to London safely  due to the travel delays caused by the Volcanic Ash.

Behind the Scenes @ WuChi by Maks - April

We have been very busy behind the scenes at WuChi HQ and lots of positive things have happened in the last couple of months, and I would like to share this with you.

Just before the Easter Holidays, I was commissioned by a perfume house and spent sometime working on a range of  hand lotions, liquid soaps and bar soap for their new range of natural products.
Here is a line up of job well done.