Leaving a stable job is often considered a risky move, but for Steve Maduka, walking away from the former Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) became the first step toward building an international beauty business.
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Hairs Limited did not initially set out to become a player in the hair and beauty industry. When he resigned from PHCN in 2010, selling hair extensions was simply a way to earn income while he searched for another career opportunity.
That search took him to the United Kingdom, where he hoped to build a new life. After spending several months abroad without securing the future he had envisioned, Maduka returned to Nigeria in 2011—a decision he now describes as the defining moment of his entrepreneurial journey.
Back in Lagos, he abandoned the idea of treating the business as a stopgap and committed himself fully to growing Royal Hairs. Starting with limited capital and navigating the uncertainties that confront many young businesses, he focused on quality products, consistency and customer service.
The strategy gradually paid off. By 2016, Royal Hairs had entered a period of rapid growth, opening retail outlets across Nigeria and expanding its workforce to more than 110 employees. The company has since grown into a premium hair extension brand with operations extending beyond Nigeria.
