Founder

About StellaRita Awelle

StellaRita Awelle Asogwa, is an indigene of Nkwerre LGA of Imo state, Nigeria. She is a businesswoman in the beauty, fashion, and food industry and is a wife and mother with 3 kids. StellaRita graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. She received her master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) in 2015 from the Business School Netherlands (BSN) and was awarded an honorary postgraduate doctoral degree (Ph.D (h.c)) from Janus University, California.

She also acquired a certificate in Entrepreneurial Management from Pan African University. All of these helped beef her intellectual capacity and skills in business.

She has always had a flair for business. Growing up, she saw her mother – a teacher, now retired, married to her father who was a military man, venture into businesses like Baking and Salon, alongside her teaching career. StellaRita helped her mother take care of business while she was away.

Her first startup was a door-to-door mobile Cosmetic business in Mary Kay. Afterward, she launched LaRita Beauty Spa in 2009, a salon and spa beauty business, which she ran for 8 years and shut down in 2018. While running the Spa business, she and her husband started a franchise Chinese restaurant in Abuja, Nigeria. The Franchise Marcopolo Chinese Restaurant was in operation for 3 years.  After the end of the 3 years contract, she put an end to the franchise contract and continued solely as Marcoriano Chinese restaurant. The restaurant has achieved a milestone of 11 years in business overcoming challenges and has 2 branches in Abuja, Nigeria. She started a clothing brand, Zarita kouture in 2012, where local print, Ankara (African print) is mixed with western fabrics to make unique styles. In 2015, she added an academy, Zarita Fashion Academy where small group certified trainings on pattern cutting and fashion illustration are being taught.

StellaRita is an entrepreneur of diverse interest. Despite the many challenges her businesses faced, she always figures out a way to keep up with and stay ahead of the market. Through her fashion brand she has participated in a number of local and international fashion shows and events which includes; The Africa Fashion Week London, Montage Africa Fashion show, Fashion Finest London Fashion Week, Africa Fashion Week Nigeria and Africa Fashion Reception, Paris. StellaRita also organised her own fashion show in 2014 themed the Zarita Fashion Show which graced different selection of local designers on the runway.

StellaRita is a recipient of numerous local and international awards and accolades. A few to note includes; The 2021 Achievers Category of the SHE Awards UAE, The award as the best Beauty Salon in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; The Best Chinese Restaurant in Abuja; The Corporate Women of Excellence award for the Business Personality of the year; The prestigious Global Leader of Integrity award for Courage in Character, Patriotism and Humanitarian Leadership; Gold Leadership award in Corporate management and Governance; Global Leader of Integrity Ambassador; 

The recipient of The Ikenga Award for Excellence on Entrepreneurship amongst many other awards. StellaRita has been named as one of the 20 most outstanding women in Nigeria by the Leadership Newspaper. She has also been named as one of the distinguished women of substance in Nigeria by the Guardian Newspaper. However, her impact on her family stands above all to her as her greatest achievement is being the best mother to her children. StellaRita is a member of the She Trades in the Commonwealth. She is a member of Creative Entrepreneurs Association of Nigeria. She is a conferred Fellow in the Institute of Brand Management of Nigeria (FIBM). She is a Patron of the Association of Private Media Establishments in Nigeria. She is also conferred Chairman Every Woman Agricultural Empowerment Initiative (EWAEI). StellaRita has been honoured with Chapter 13 of the book titled “Growing up Africa” by Gift Chidima Nnamoko which is a book showcasing the entrepreneurial journeys of a few select entrepreneurs in Africa.

StellaRita has resolved to be passionate, have a positive mindset, build on herself and be a mentor in her society as she continues in her entrepreneurship journey.