When Zenobia Asmah launched Zenags Organics, she wasn’t thinking about profits, packaging, or perfect branding. She just wanted to stop her scalp from burning.
At 19, while juggling university life and her scholarship program, she discovered something that shocked her: many mainstream hair products were not only irritating but linked to health risks like breast and ovarian cancers. That was her lightbulb moment. Instead of waiting for change, she decided to create it.
Now, Zenobia runs Zenags Organics, a growing Ghanaian brand that makes plant-based hair care products using locally sourced fruits and natural ingredients. Her mission? Deliver healthy, safe, and effective products for all hair types while creating jobs, giving back to the community, and inspiring other young people to build what they wish existed.
“Even at four, she helped me in my shop—grinding pepper, arranging stock. She’s always been driven,” says her mother proudly. But she’s also seen the emotional toll. “People underestimated her because of her age. Some were jealous. But she stayed strong—and I’m always here to remind her of her worth.”
Q&A with Zenobia
Q: What made you start Zenags Organics?
It came from a personal problem. My scalp didn’t react well to most store-bought products. The more I researched, the more I realised how harmful some ingredients are, especially for women. At the same time, I wanted a way to fund social projects without always depending on donors. That’s when the idea clicked: create a natural hair care line that actually helps people.
Q: Were you scared to start so young?
Nope. I saw it as an opportunity. Being young means you can afford to fail and bounce back. I made mistakes early, but that helped me grow fast. And there are so many entrepreneurship programs for young people; age worked in my favour.
Q: Where did the name ‘Zenags’ come from?
It’s a mix of my name, Zenobia and my mom’s first name, Agnes. It reminds me that this journey is personal and rooted in family values.
Q: What makes Zenags different from other brands?
We don’t just sell products, we solve problems. We offer consultations before and after purchase so customers feel heard and supported. Our ingredients are 100% natural and locally sourced – fruits from Elmina, black soap and shea butter from the north. That means quality for our customers and income for small farmers.
Q: Who’s helped you the most on this journey?
My co-founder, Benjamin, has been amazing. He’s a lab tech I met at university. He handles all the product testing and formulation. And emotionally, he’s a calm force when things get stressful. My mom, friends, and the Comfort Ghana Scholar network have also been key.
Q: What’s the Zenags Child Project?
It’s our way of giving back. We donate fruits to school kids in underserved communities. It ties back to our brand’s roots in health and well-being. We believe taking care of people goes beyond just selling them something.
Q: What were the hardest parts of starting up?
Suppliers! Finding reliable sources for packaging and raw ingredients was stressful. Also, business registration in Ghana is not simple. It’s time-consuming and unclear. But instead of giving up, Benjamin and I went into learning mode. He taught himself design and digital marketing, and I focused on pH levels, ingredients, and safe formulations. You don’t need a full team; just the will to figure things out.
Q: How do you manage money in the business?
We use Excel for budgeting and an app called OZY to track sales and spending. One major lesson: always separate your personal money from the business. It sounds basic, but that mindset shift changed everything for us. We were lucky to receive early funding from the Comfort Ghana Scholars Entrepreneurship Fund, which helped us launch.
Q: What was your first sale like?
It was at a scholar congress. People bought the products and came back with great reviews. That moment showed me this could really work.
Q: Who’s on the Zenags team now?
We’ve got a mix of university reps and full-time salespeople. I enjoy working with people close to my age. It keeps the vibe fresh and collaborative. We also work with people who handle packaging and accessories like scrunchies and tote bags.
Q: How do you deal with competition?
I don’t really worry about it. We’re focused on a specific need: hair care that’s tailored, natural, and supported by real consultation. Once someone tries our products, they usually stick with us. We let results do the talking.
Q: What’s something people get wrong about being an entrepreneur?
That you’re rich! (Laughs) People think business owners have endless money. But most of our funds go straight back into stock, packaging, and product development. What matters more than money is having the right people and the right mindset.
Q: What role have mentors played for you?
Massive. One of my first mentors still supports me long after our formal program ended. Another mentor has helped with scaling and incubation. A great mentor doesn’t just hype you up; they tell you the truth, even when it’s hard.
Q: What’s your biggest win so far?
Winning Best Female Entrepreneur at the UCC SRC Ideas Challenge. That award came early in my journey, but it reminded me that what I’m doing matters.
Q: What advice do you have for young entrepreneurs?
Start now. Don’t wait until everything’s “perfect.” It never will be. Learn by doing. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and who will remind you of your purpose when things get rough. And keep your ego out of it. Build for your customer, not your pride.
Q: What’s next for Zenags Organics?
In five years, I envision us as an internationally recognised brand, renowned for our clean, cruelty-free hair and self-care products. We also want to scale the child project and create more jobs, especially for young people. But no matter how big we get, we’ll stay grounded in community and health.
Zenobia’s Advice in a Nutshell
✅ Start before you’re “ready”
✅ Separate your business and personal finances
✅ Learn what you don’t know – YouTube is free
✅ Your why matters more than your logo
✅ The right mentor can change your whole game
✅ Don’t chase money; chase impact
Zenobia’s story isn’t about overnight success. It’s about starting with what you have, believing in your vision, and staying close to your community. Zenags Organics is proof that when passion meets purpose, even a small idea can grow into something powerful.
And if you’re a young entrepreneur reading this, her message is simple: “You’re not too young, too broke, or too inexperienced. You’re just one decision away from starting.”
👉 Want to see more of Zenobia’s story? Watch The Journey Season 3 to follow her story and get inspired to build your own impactful business.
