A pharmacist who launched a global cosmetics business from a garden ‘lab’ in her spare time, has been had her achievements recognised with a prestigious innovation award nomination.
Mother-of-four Ngozi Muoneke, 49, from Beckton, launched M3 Cosmetics Ltd in 2012 and was picked up an invention recognition award a prize at the British Female Inventors and Innovators International Awards 2014 on Friday.
Inspired by her sister – a pharmacy technician – she stocks a range of creams, lotions, moisturiser and conditioners, all products are made form natural ingredients, and created at the bottom of her garden.
“It really means the world to me,” she said. “I’ve been working hard at this for a long time
“I’ve given everything to my business – plenty of nights I’ve had less than three hours sleep.
“I love the joy other people get from using my products for the first time, which is the main reason I do what I do.”
Balancing a full-time job at Lewisham and later St Thomas’ hospitals, Ngozi would dedicate her evenings and weekends to her business – often working past 2am.
Currently shipping to the Middle East, South America and the West Indies, she hopes to sell through British department stores someday soon, before taking on the rest of the world.
“Eventually I want to crack the US and become a global brand like Coca Cola, with a big manufacturing plant,” she explained.
“It’s been really difficult trying to keep a work-life balance, but my family have been very supportive.
“I’m really determined and won’t let anything stop me from going forward.”
And as if her weekend couldn’t get any better, Ngozi was also awarded a British Inventor’s Society Gold Medal on Saturday.
“I really wasn’t expecting that,” she added.
“It’s totally separate to my recognition award and something I can put on my website and let others know about.
“This is a really big milestone for my business and hopefully could open a lot of doors, so I’m delighted.”
For more information about Ngozi and her business visit m3cosmetics.com.
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