Graduate Stories
Report on Elizabeth Ola - University of Westminster by Joyce Thornton
More than skin deep: Tru Skn
Elizabeth has only recently graduated from the Business Management (Entrepreneurship) BA Honours course at the University of Westminster, but she has already gained multiple awards and accolades and made an impressive mark on the hugely competitive, crowded beauty industry.
A new beauty brand on the block? TRU SKN may be something special.
Young entrepreneur Elizabeth Ola’s fledgling brand specifically aims to increase the diversity and inclusion in the cosmetics industry with her carefully considered, sustainable products. As a young woman of colour, she has an innate understanding of her target customer’s needs and has created distinctive choices. Her core values are reflected in her array of exciting, creative products, and her focus is on increasing confidence, empowerment, and inclusivity wherever she can.
“We're not just creating products but fostering confidence, self-love and individuality in the community.”
Most recently, she won the SoapBox X Landsec Competition, which offered her a rent-free London store space of her choice for a month this autumn.
The SoapBox Competition is run by Completely Retail Marketplace in partnership with Landsec, a leading UK commercial property development and investment company. Selected from 200 applicants, Elizabeth made the shortlist of just 9 who presented their brands to a panel of judges, eventually scooping the winner’s prize in July.
“When I launched TRU SKN at 19, I had no idea we would come this far.”
Elizabeth was able to begin her start-up while still studying in November 2022; after securing funding from the University of Westminster’s ‘Ignite’ fund. In the same year, she received the Westminster Enterprise Network’s ‘Rising Star’ award after her success in the University’s annual ‘Big Idea’ competition (in conjunction with Santander UK).
Last year, (2023) Elizabeth was able to test out a store concept through her success in a previous competition run by Adobe and Enterprise Nation. This enables start-ups to create a simple page in Adobe Express, sharing their business story. In addition to pop-up stores, the ten chosen businesses were also featured on billboards throughout London’s Oxford Street.
“I've envisioned and worked hard every day to see TRU SKN on shelves, embodying our mission of increasing diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry.”
Of the latest in an ever-growing list of achievements Elizabeth said: “It feels so surreal; my vision of seeing TRU SKN in stores is coming to life! I've envisioned and worked hard every day to see TRU SKN on shelves, embodying our mission of increasing diversity and inclusion in the beauty industry. We're not just creating products but fostering confidence, self-love and individuality in the community. I am so grateful for this amazing opportunity to bring my visions to life. Watch this space; we have something great in store.”
Posting recently on Instagram, Elizabeth says,” When I launched TRU SKN at 19, I had no idea we would come this far. As a young entrepreneur, I’ve faced countless doubts, questioned my abilities, and wondered if someone else might be better suited for this journey. Balancing full-time university studies, a job, and launching a business has not been easy, but I am incredibly proud of my resilience and perseverance through it all. Each step has strengthened me to create a brand that champions diversity, inclusivity, and empowerment in the beauty industry.
Instagram Elizabeth Ola