Maintain Your Health Like Your Car – Pastor Deborah Omale

Pastor Deborah Omale, a pastor, beauty entrepreneur and mother, is the founder of Beauty Secrets MedSpa. In this interview with WINIFRED OGBEBO, she discusses the beauty and spa industry, its economic potential, the need for stronger regulation, workforce challenges, and why Nigerians must pay as much attention to their health as to their cars.

What is the spa and beauty business all about?

There are several factors to consider, beginning with knowledge. Some people are not very knowledgeable about the beauty industry. They think it is simply about treating pimples, lightening the skin or treating stretch marks. They have a very basic understanding of what the industry entails.

There are also economic factors, as some treatments are not particularly cheap. However, the cost depends on what you have come for, the problem you are experiencing and the solution you are seeking.

The third factor is public perception. There is a perception that going to a spa is simply about relaxation — a place to sleep and unwind. But there is much more to it. These are some of the major factors I have observed in this business over the past decade.

When we talk about the medical side, not every health-related concern necessarily requires a visit to a general practitioner. Depending on the issue, you may need to see a nutritionist or, particularly for women, a gynaecologist with expertise in areas such as hormonal health.

So, a medical spa is different from what people traditionally think of as a spa?

Yes.  We have had people come in for massages and, during the process, a lump has been noticed that they were previously unaware of. Such an observation may prompt them to seek appropriate medical attention.

We also assess factors such as body mass index (BMI) and advise clients on nutrition and weight management. Some problems people eventually develop may be reduced if they pay attention to their health earlier, rather than waiting until a serious problem arises.

For Beauty Secrets, it is not just a spa; it is a medical spa. We started as a spa, but about five years ago, we expanded into the medical side. We now work with doctors, consultant gynaecologists, nutritionists, acupuncturists and other professionals.

For instance, someone may come in feeling unhappy or lacking energy, and after an appropriate consultation with a medical professional, they may discover an underlying health issue that needs attention.

I always tell people that prevention is better than a cure. What people consider basic self-care is not necessarily basic. You service your car regularly because you do not want it to break down completely before you attend to it. In the same way, people should pay attention to their bodies.

If you can afford it, getting a massage or another appropriate wellness treatment periodically can be part of your self-care routine. There are also treatments such as deep-cleansing facials, steam treatments and other wellness services.

The important thing is to understand your body, eat properly, maintain a healthy weight, and seek professional advice when necessary.

Like most businesses in the country, is the economic situation affecting patronage?

Certainly, it is. We use diesel regularly because this is a 24-hour business. It cannot function without electricity and requires a constant water supply.

In terms of patronage, however, I would say business is still good. We have been operating for 11 years and, by the grace of God, this is now our third branch.

We started in Garki and have continued to expand our services. Another important aspect is job creation. Through this company, about 100 families are supported at the end of the month, particularly at a time when the economic situation is challenging for many Nigerians. That, for me, is significant.

There is a perception that spas are only for wealthy people. How true is this?

The spa is not only for rich people.

There is something for different categories of people.

Unfortunately, the sector has largely been treated as a leisure activity because its significance has not been fully appreciated. If you go to a hospital, nobody asks why there are services at different price levels. You expect to pay consultation fees, undergo tests, and possibly have an X-ray or other procedures. Sometimes, you may end up spending a substantial amount.

But because the spa and wellness sector has not received the seriousness it deserves, it is often undervalued.

I recently completed my law programme, and my thesis examined how the sector has been overlooked. Globally, the beauty and wellness industry is a multi-billion-dollar sector, but in Nigeria, there remains a gap in proper regulation.

Almost anybody can set up a business. You can have people offering treatments without necessarily understanding what they are doing. Some procedures that should be performed only by qualified professionals may be performed by people simply because they have the money to set up a facility.

Some of us invest heavily in training and bring in experts where necessary. If there is something we do not know how to do, we bring in someone with the requisite expertise.

Are there regulations governing the spa and beauty business?

I think the level of regulatory interest is not as high as it should be. For instance, the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria regulates doctors and dentists, while regulatory bodies govern nurses and other health professionals. But for people in the broader beauty and wellness sector, many of us also rely on private associations and professional bodies.

That means there are no checks?

There are regulatory requirements and permissions for operating a medical spa. We interact with the relevant health authorities, and officials can inspect facilities to ensure they meet the required standards.

So, it is not that government agencies are doing nothing. They are. But I believe there is a need for stronger regulation, proper checks and balances, and clearer standards across the industry.

Some people have had terrible experiences, and part of the problem is that it can appear as though anyone can set up a spa and begin offering treatments.

I am not speaking statistically, but I am not aware of any government body solely responsible for the entire spa and beauty sector. There should be greater attention to the industry, particularly because establishing a modern facility requires significant investment in equipment, training, and personnel.

How do you get a qualified workforce?

About three years ago, we established Beauty Secrets Academy to help address the workforce gap. The academy trains people who want to become therapists, nail technicians, stylists and other professionals in the beauty industry.

We are trying to help fill that gap. However, there are times when you have to bring in expatriates. There are international organisations you can contact that can send professionals to provide specialised training.

Training is something we take seriously. Wherever we go, whether within Nigeria or abroad, we are constantly learning and training our people. We also bring in experts to train our staff. Other academies are doing good work, including some with international accreditation.

People with backgrounds in medicine, nursing, and other health-related fields can also be trained in specialised areas relevant to the sector. Their professional foundation can be useful when they receive additional training in areas such as specific aesthetic procedures or the operation of specialised equipment.

At Beauty Secrets, we have clear standards. I will not allow anyone who is not a medical professional to perform certain treatments. We continue to uphold these standards.

How do you balance beauty, business and your faith?

There was a time when people believed that if you appeared on television or were involved in certain things, you were a sinner. But the world is becoming more advanced.

I believe people can have a personal relationship with God in different ways. I am not someone who believes in trying to force my convictions on others.

If you give me the opportunity, I will explain my perspective and where I am coming from, but I do not go out of my way to convince people. When people have already made up their minds about you, it can be difficult to change their perception.

So, I prefer to teach through my actions — how I treat people, how I speak to them, how I show respect and how I conduct my business. Yes, I am in the beauty industry, but people should also see my relationship with God in my character.

I also have amazing people around me. God has placed wonderful people in my life who help me run the business. While I am here, two other branches are operating, and there is a reason they function effectively. Some of the people who started this company with me are still here after almost 11 years.

Does the business give you time to attend to your family?

I am very mindful of time because I do not want to neglect my family. My priority is my children. I do not want to be a woman who becomes so successful that other people end up raising her children.

Our children are not with us forever. If you look at a typical day, you wake up with them, prepare them for school, and they return in the afternoon. They have lessons, and then the day is almost over. By 8.30 pm, I should be in bed. We pray, read and attend to any schoolwork that needs my attention.

So, I deliberately make time for my children. There is priority, and there is order.