What drives you?
I am driven by the desire to make a change for the next generation and my children. When I founded my beauty label ŌMAKA Naturkosmetik, I wanted to ensure that my sons could easily find high-quality care products for their Afro hair in the future. The prospect of making a positive and sustainable change in the world gives me the energy and enthusiasm I need to drive my vision forward.
The best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Choose a team that you enjoy working with, similar to Pipi Langstrumpf. Surround yourself with people who share your vision and inspire you. Together you can overcome hurdles and celebrate successes. Be brave, trust your gut feeling and find partners who complement you.
What are you currently learning that you are not yet so good at?
I am currently working hard to understand the vast world of Meta. I want to keep developing and expanding my skills to keep up with the ever-changing technologies.
What would you change if you had the power to do so?
If I had the power to do so, I would free the world from prejudice and discrimination. My wish is to create a society in which people are equally accepted and respected, regardless of their hair texture or skin color. I would ensure that everyone has the opportunity to celebrate their own identity and beauty without being influenced by social norms. I would also ensure equal opportunities and access to education and resources for all to promote an inclusive and equitable society.
What superheroine power would you like to have?
The gift of opening hearts and creating understanding. I wish for the ability to inspire people to treat each other with compassion and empathy.
Jennifer Martens
Diversity is a matter of the head. Because our hair is just as diverse as we humans are. With ŌMAKA Natural Cosmetics, Jen Martens has made it her mission to celebrate the uniqueness of curly and afro hair with the power of nature. ŌMAKA Natural Cosmetics offers natural, cruelty-free and vegan hair care products specifically for curly and afro hair.
The best approach to a new product is still through your own needs: Jen founded her beauty label ŌMAKA Natural Cosmetics, in 2019 out of the desire for her sons to one day be able to easily find care products for their afro hair at the nearest store. Jen Martens has spent several years searching for a natural hair care solution for curly and afro hair that was free of artificial and harmful ingredients. As there was no healthy and sustainable solution in the German-speaking cosmetics market, she decided without further ado to develop her own products.
With ŌMAKA, she launched the first sustainable solid shampoo for curly and afro hair on the German-speaking market. Hern grandmother from Ghana had a strong influence on her when it comes to natural cosmetics, so her products are also a tribute to her roots. There is a touch of Africa in every product.
Jen’s wish is to show all people with curly and afro hair that caring for their hair doesn’t have to be complicated or difficult. Everyone with this hair type has the right to feel beautiful and to find the right products for their hair. ŌMAKA comes from Hawaiian and means a new beginning. This is exactly what some people experience through ŌMAKA – they learn to appreciate their curls or afro hair again and make a new start.
Topics
Founding as a mom / compatibility of job & family, founding from a village, new start: founding at 40, founding a niche brand in Germany, e-commerce, black-owned business in Germany, diversity in startups & companies
Languages
German, English
Formats
ReferenCES
- Google Women in Retail
- Event Women Entrepreneurship @Zalando
- SkillSession by GDW x Lancôme x Jen Martens
- WIDA Even
What drives you?
I am driven by the desire to make a change for the next generation and my children. When I founded my beauty label ŌMAKA Naturkosmetik, I wanted to ensure that my sons could easily find high-quality care products for their Afro hair in the future. The prospect of making a positive and sustainable change in the world gives me the energy and enthusiasm I need to drive my vision forward.
The best advice you’ve ever gotten?
Choose a team that you enjoy working with, similar to Pipi Langstrumpf. Surround yourself with people who share your vision and inspire you. Together you can overcome hurdles and celebrate successes. Be brave, trust your gut feeling and find partners who complement you.
What are you currently learning that you are not yet so good at?
I am currently working hard to understand the vast world of Meta. I want to keep developing and expanding my skills to keep up with the ever-changing technologies.
What would you change if you had the power to do so?
If I had the power to do so, I would free the world from prejudice and discrimination. My wish is to create a society in which people are equally accepted and respected, regardless of their hair texture or skin color. I would ensure that everyone has the opportunity to celebrate their own identity and beauty without being influenced by social norms. I would also ensure equal opportunities and access to education and resources for all to promote an inclusive and equitable society.
What superheroine power would you like to have?
The gift of opening hearts and creating understanding. I wish for the ability to inspire people to treat each other with compassion and empathy.
