TARA FELA-DUROTOYE
Tara Fela-Durotoye is the founder and current C.E.O of House of Tara International. She pioneered the professional make up industry in Nigeria. An industry that’s now estimated at several Million dollars. In a series of firsts, she launched the first bridal directory in Nigeria in 1999, set up the first makeup studio in 2004 and established the country’s first make up school in 2005, and also launched the Tara Product Line and hosted Nigeria’s first Make-Up Conference in 2014. She has empowered over 15,000 young ladies with the Tara Beauty Entrepreneur initiative that makes them economically independent while building their entrepreneurial skills for national transformation. Under her leadership, the House of Tara business case study was researched and written by Stanford University and is currently being used by Ivy League Institutions. Tara has received several national and international Awards for her contribution to the industry and active role in Entrepreneurship and Empowerment, the most recent being the National Recognition Award for her contribution - social impact and job creation; other awards are for Most Outstanding Business Woman of the Year 2018 by the African Economy Builders Awards, African Makeup Icon by Ghana Makeup Awards and Leadership Award for Entrepreneurship by Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria 2016. Tara is an alumnus of the of Lagos Business School, Chief Executive Programme, INSEAD Abu Dhabi, Yale University, The Stanford SEED Transformation Programme, and the Harvard Kennedy School having completed the Global Leadership and Public Policy in the 21st century programme. She serves on several boards which include Bridge International Academies and So Fresh neighbourhood. She is also an associate member of WIMBIZ. Tara has been recognized by - The World Economic Forum as a young global leader (2013); Forbes list of 20 young power women in Africa (2013); Choiseul Institute of France Top 100 young African business leaders under 40 (2014). She is passionate about mentoring young women, enjoys gardening and loves experiencing new cultures and meeting new people.
How is GAIA any different from other women only platforms?
One of the fascinating things about GAIA is the concept of the Club House. For the first time in Nigeria, women would have a physical location tailored to women’s needs and peculiarities. Women can now be intentional about networking, make deals and create successful partnerships. In what ways do you think GAIA has been able to gain the trust of women?
The concept of clubs make people, women in particular, weary. I was however attracted to the club because of the Founder. I have known her for several years and her values resonate with me. What do you enjoy most about the Business Dining club?
I enjoy the Ice breakers at the start of the dinner. It gives us the opportunity to share our experiences. We have also had the opportunity to explore fine dining options we normally may not have. The guest list is a small group of high powered, successful women, creating an intimate gathering to network.