Title: Behind the Curtain: Oke Maduewesi My Zaron Story A Leadership Story
Year of Publication: 2026
Number of Pages: 104
If you are a woman, there is a very good chance that Zaron has passed through your hands at some point. You may have used the powder, owned one of the brushes, tried the Matte Lip Fix, or stood in front of a Zaron display wondering which shade would finally make you look like you have your life completely together. Or perhaps you have simply heard the name Oke Maduewesi and wondered, Who exactly is this woman behind Zaron? Well, this book answers that question and quite a few others.
Women in the beauty business will probably grab this book with both hands the moment they see it. But this is not just for women who know their concealer from their contour. If you are thinking of starting a cosmetics business, building a brand, or simply curious about what it really takes to build a successful business from scratch, you should be paying attention.
Reading this book feels a little like sitting in a business meeting with Oke and discovering that she has decided to hand you her private notebook. Thankfully, there is no ‘I believed in myself, followed my passion and everything magically worked out’ nonsense here. Oke tells her story as it happened, with the good, the bad, the uncomfortable and the lessons in between.
Before taking you into the world of Zaron, she introduces you to Oke the woman. She talks about her personality, her family, her experiences and even some of the ways people may have misunderstood her. It is almost as if she is saying, ‘Before you judge me, let me first explain myself.’ Then she gets down to business.
From banking to makeup to skincare, Oke takes you through the decisions, risks and challenges that shaped her journey. For anyone considering the cosmetics business, the book offers a valuable shortcut through years of trial and error, packing practical experiences into a relatively small book.
Some of the stories may sound familiar because you may have heard parts of Oke’s journey before. You may even feel sorry for her at certain points, but pity is not what she is after. She is more interested in showing you what happened and what she did with those experiences.
And then there is the fascinating revelation that the name Zaron was inspired by her children’s names. Yes, her children! Imagine discovering that the names you gave your children would one day become part of a beauty brand known across Nigeria. That is certainly one way to get the whole family into the business story.
One thing you cannot miss about Oke is that she knows herself. She knows what she wants, what she is good at and what she is willing to risk. There is something admirable and sometimes slightly intimidating about a woman who is that sure of herself.
Then she leaves her banking job. Without a Plan B. Who does that? Please, before you start typing your resignation letter because Oke did it, calm down. This is not your cue to resign tomorrow morning and announce that you are following your passion. Oke knew her strengths, and your strengths are not necessarily hers. She was also very conscious of what she was giving up, including the comfort and security of a banking career.
There is a quiet strength about Oke. She comes across as confident and strong, yet calm and peaceful at the same time. It is an interesting combination, and one that makes her story even more fascinating.
Her experiences with grief add another dimension to the book. You see how loss can change the way a person thinks, sees life and even approaches business. It becomes clear that Zaron is not simply a cosmetics brand; it is also part of a much bigger personal journey.
Her humility also comes through strongly. She says it herself, but more importantly, the woman she describes on these pages seems to be the same woman you encounter in real life. If you have met her, you can probably testify to that.
Ultimately, this is more than the story of a woman who built a successful Nigerian beauty brand. It is a candid account of ambition, risk, resilience and the courage to keep learning.
Oke has put many of the lessons she gathered along the way on the table. The least you can do is take notes.
About the reviewer
Titilade Oyemade is a business executive in a leading organisation and holds a degree in Russian Language. She’s the convener of the Hangoutwithtee Ladies Event and the Publisher of Hangoutwithtee magazine. She spends her weekends attending women conferences, events and book readings. She loves to have fun and to help other women have the same in their lives. Email: titi.oyemade@gmail.com Social: @tiipreeofficial