Elon Musk once said, ‘Being an entrepreneur is like eating glass and staring into the abyss.’ Truly, entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted. Yet, despite the many obstacles, Aisha Ochuwa Tella has built a multimillion-naira group of companies. What began as a young girl’s love for making beautiful jewelry accessories has grown into a global brand recognized by ForbesBLK, a fast growing community for Black professionals, leaders, and creators. SONIA OKERE writes about the brilliant lawyer and successful businesswoman whose startup capital was just N150 (yes, you read that right!)
Who is Aisha Ochuwa?
A native of Auchi, Edo State, Aisha was born in Lagos State. She was only two years old when her mother passed away. At the time, she was too young to fully understand what had happened. But as she grew older, the weight of that loss became more real.
Her father, holding on to cherished memories, kept most of her mother’s belongings packed away in a box. He wanted his children to one day open it and feel closer to the mother they had barely known.
When Aisha turned eight, curiosity got the best of her and she opened the box. Inside, she found her late mother’s clothes and beaded jewelry. The vibrant colors and patterns sparked her interest, and she began to take the pieces apart and recreate them in her own style. According to her, what started as playful curiosity soon became something more. One day, she took her handmade beads to school. To her surprise, her classmates were impressed, and some even offered to buy them. And that moment marked the beginning of her entrepreneurship journey.
Aisha’s late mom’s jewelry colors and patterns sparked her interest, and she began to take the pieces apart and recreate them in her own style
Education
Although Aisha enjoyed buying and selling, she was also passionate about formal education. She earned a Diploma in Criminology and later a Law degree from Babcock University. Her education shaped her not just as a creative thinker, but also as a focused and ambitious entrepreneur. While many of her peers saw law as a path to legal practice, Aisha viewed it as a solid foundation for building a lasting business.
During her first year in the university, she began selling jewelry. She remembers buying a piece for N150 (one hundred and fifty naira) and selling it for N1,500. That moment opened her eyes to the possibilities in business. She also started reinvesting her profits, no matter how small, into buying more pieces.
Balancing school with her growing business was far from easy. There were many late nights spent studying after full days of promoting her jewelry to friends, classmates, and even lecturers. But Aisha was determined. She did not let academic pressure or doubt shake her belief in what she was building. By the time she graduated, what started as a side hustle had already gained strong relevance and a growing customer base.
During her first year in the university, bought a piece of jewelry for N150 and sold it for N1,500. She reinvested her profits, no matter how small, into buying more pieces
The Aisha Ochuwa Tella Group
In 2017, Aisha officially launched her business, originally called Everything Beautiful by Aisha Ochuwa. What began as a small online brand quickly grew into a larger company. Today, it operates under the Aisha Ochuwa Group, which includes Aisha Ochuwa Jewellery Limited, Aisha Ochuwa Luxury Limited, and Bespoke by Aisha Ochuwa Limited.
Each arm of the company serves a different part of the market. From affordable stainless steel accessories to pure gold and diamond pieces, the brand caters to a wide audience without compromising on style or quality.
Customer satisfaction and brand loyalty have always been central to her vision. As a result, the company now works with over 400 wholesalers across Nigeria and in other countries. Aisha’s brand has earned a strong reputation for its excellent craftsmanship, modern designs, and cultural authenticity. She often says that success begins in the mind and fear has made a lot of people abandon great ideas. While advising struggling business owners she said, “Starting a business is like learning to drive. It may feel scary at first, but the only way to move forward is to begin.”
By the time she graduated, what started as a side hustle had already gained strong relevance and a growing customer base
Recognition and achievements
By her twenties, Aisha had built a multimillion-naira company. Her story captured attention across Africa, and her ability to combine creativity with strong business instincts earned her several notable awards.
In 2023, CEOs Network Africa nominated her for Entrepreneur of the Year in the Under 30 CEOs category. In 2022, she was awarded Young Entrepreneur of the Year at the Young Entrepreneurs International Summit and also received the Most Productive Female of the Year honor at the DENSA Awards.
Starting a business is like learning to drive. It may feel scary at first, but the only way to move forward is to begin -Aisha
Her brand was recognized with the African Brand Award by Silverbird Group for being a leading and innovative luxury jewelry company. She was also recognized for her creativity and innovation by the Nigerian Women in Business Forum. Additionally, she was listed among the Top 100 Most Influential Young Nigerians for her role in business and mentorship.
Aisha is also member of ForbesBLK, a network that connects Black professionals, creatives, and leaders.
These awards do more than celebrate her success. They reflect her dedication to empowering others, especially young women. Through mentorship and community impact, Aisha is building a legacy of courage, vision, and excellence.
