Today we’d like to introduce you to Aishat Akindele.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Aishat Akindele. I was born and raised in Mushin, Lagos, Nigeria, and I currently live in the United States. I am the proud mother of two beautiful daughters, Okikiola Babatunde and Michelle Babatunde.
My journey has been shaped by both loss and resilience. I lost my mother at a very young age, and later I lost my sister to sickle cell disease. Although I grew up surrounded by extended family, I often felt like I had no voice and no real opportunity to make my own choices. My father was not part of my life, and over the years I chose not to let that define my future. Instead, I focused on building a better one.
Moving to the United States was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but I knew I had to do it—not just for myself, but for my daughters. For the first time in my life, I began to understand what it meant to have choices, to discover who I was, and to dream without limitations. That experience inspired me to break generational cycles so my girls, and hopefully other young women, will always know they have the power to choose their own path.
My entrepreneurial journey started from a place of necessity. I couldn’t afford luxury fragrances, so I began buying fragrance oils from Amazon, pouring them into inexpensive bottles from the dollar store, and blending scents for myself. I spent countless hours watching perfume-making videos, reading, practicing, and teaching myself the craft. As I wore my creations, people constantly complimented how I smelled.
The turning point came after I was involved in an accident and was attending physical therapy. One of the nurses stopped me and said, “Sis, whatever you’re wearing smells so good. I’d love to buy some.” At the time, I wasn’t even selling perfume. She handed me $100 and asked me to make her a few bottles. It cost me about $20 to create them, and in that moment, something clicked. I realized this wasn’t just a hobby—it was the beginning of my purpose.
That single moment gave me the confidence to build what has now become a fully registered and growing brand, The Akanke Brand. Today, we create custom perfumes, perfume oils, luxury perfume bar experiences for events, intimate care products, hair care products, and we’re continuously expanding our product line.
My story is still being written, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that your beginning doesn’t determine your ending. Every setback I’ve faced has become the foundation for something greater. Today, my mission is bigger than selling products. It’s about helping people feel confident, creating memorable experiences, building generational wealth for my daughters, and proving that no matter where you come from, you can create the life you choose.
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?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. There have been many challenges along the way, both personally and professionally.
Starting over in a new country without a strong support system was overwhelming. I had to learn a new environment, adjust to a different culture, and figure out how to build a life while raising my two daughters as a single mother. There were moments when I questioned myself, but giving up was never an option because I knew I was building something bigger than myself.
As an entrepreneur, one of my biggest struggles was limited resources. I didn’t have investors or a large budget. I started small, buying fragrance oils and inexpensive bottles, learning through trial and error, and reinvesting every dollar I made back into my business. There were times when I doubted myself, made mistakes, or wondered if people would believe in my vision.
Balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship has also been one of my greatest challenges. Building a business while being fully present for my daughters requires sacrifice, discipline, and long nights. But they are also my greatest motivation. Every obstacle I overcome is another lesson I can pass on to them.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every challenge because each one made me stronger, more resilient, and more determined. Those struggles taught me that success isn’t about having the perfect start—it’s about continuing to move forward, even when the road is difficult.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the founder and CEO of The Akanke Brand, a luxury fragrance and beauty company built from passion, resilience, and purpose. We specialize in handcrafted perfumes, perfume oils, custom fragrance creation, and luxury perfume bar experiences for weddings, birthdays, corporate events, and other special occasions. Over the years, we’ve expanded into intimate care products and hair care, with even more exciting products in development.
What I’m most known for is creating long-lasting, high-quality fragrances that leave a lasting impression while giving every customer a personalized luxury experience. Whether someone is purchasing a signature scent or attending one of our perfume bar events, I want them to feel confident, seen, and unforgettable.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just building a successful business—it’s building it from nothing. I started with inexpensive bottles, fragrance oils, and a dream. Today, I own a fully registered brand that continues to grow, and every milestone reminds me that faith, consistency, and hard work truly pay off.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just sell perfume—I create experiences and memories. Every fragrance is crafted with intention, every event is personalized, and every product reflects the journey that brought me here. My story is woven into everything I create.
Beyond business, my mission is to inspire women, immigrants, single mothers, and young girls to believe that their circumstances don’t define their future. I want people to see that with determination, resilience, and the courage to keep going, it’s possible to build something meaningful from the ground up. For me, success isn’t just about creating luxury products—it’s about leaving a legacy.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is my faith, my daughters, and the legacy I’m building.
Everything I do begins with God. My faith has carried me through some of the darkest moments of my life and has given me the strength to keep moving forward when giving up would have been easier.
My daughters are my greatest motivation. Every decision I make is with them in mind. I want them to grow up knowing they have a voice, that their dreams are valid, and that they always have the freedom to choose the life they want. I never want them to feel limited by their circumstances or believe that where they come from determines where they can go.
Building my business is about more than selling products—it’s about creating a legacy. I want The Akanke Brand to represent resilience, excellence, and possibility. I hope my journey inspires other women, especially single mothers, immigrants, and young girls, to believe that they can turn their struggles into purpose.
At the end of the day, success isn’t measured only by the business I’ve built or the products I sell. It’s measured by the lives I impact, the example I set for my daughters, and the doors I can help open for others. That’s the legacy I want to leave behind.
Pricing:
- Luxury customized perfume for under $50
- Oil as low as $5
- Hair care as low as $10
- Intimated care as low as $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theakankebrand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_akanke_brand
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1FZaCACNVH/
