Still image of Orlena Nwokah Blanchard
When Orlena Nwokah Blanchard started her brand, WonderTree Skin, she wanted to put out products that embodied innovation and tradition. As one of the creators of the CROWN Act, which was set in motion to end race-based hair discrimination in the U.S., her transition into natural skincare felt authentic. The British Nigerian entrepreneur had initially kicked off her career as an engineer but eventually spent over two decades working with various Fortune 500 companies to execute powerful social movements.
Over the past few years, the skincare industry has become a goldmine for emerging entrepreneurs. Despite the popularity of skincare in the last few years, one entrepreneur is taking a slightly different approach. All of this happened under the helm of her award-winning polycultural marketing firm, Seven Elements Group. Blanchard launched her skincare brand WonderTree Skin, perhaps her most inspiring project yet.
While Blanchard’s journey from engineering to entrepreneurship was seamless and authentic to her story, her background in engineering has given her analytical insight into assessing market needs and has helped her pivot the hands-on implications of navigating business in the digital economy while addressing critical issues like inventory, retail challenges, and overhead costs.
WonderTree Skin, which houses a variety of skincare products, uses moringa as its primary ingredient. After experiencing a significant health scare a decade ago, Blanchard decided to do a deep dive into the skincare industry and how she could help to revolutionize it. What she discovered was a gap in the market for products that combined scientific innovation with the time-tested benefits of natural ingredients. Moringa, a plant native to parts of Africa and India, stood out to her for its incredible antioxidant properties, high vitamin content, and versatility.
“Ten years ago, I was diagnosed with a pre-cancerous tumor in my colon, and ever since that experience, I’ve had several different health scares or health issues that were all related in some way to my gut health,” Blanchard said. “That’s how I learned about moringa’s properties, including its anti-inflammatory properties and high protein and amino acid elements that build immunity in the body.”
This led Blanchard to begin doing more research on the plant, and what she found was a gold mine. Beyond the obvious lucrative advantages of having a nature-based skincare brand, Blanchard, who had also struggled with her skin, later realized that moringa’s skincare benefits were also powerful for reducing inflammation in melanin-rich skin.
“My biggest challenge with my skincare disorder at the time was that most dermatologists didn’t know how to treat black skin or didn't have a lot of experience with black skin,” Blanchard said. “So I was looking for natural solutions for sensitive skin, and so moringa was something that I found worked well.”
While there are multiple species of the moringa plant, Blanchard and her team use a particular species, Moringa Oleifera, for their products. According to her, this species has been studied the most by investors and has all the unique properties that help to keep human skin nourished and healthy.
Several studies have found that the plant Moringa Oleifera has significant bioactive properties that treat severe illnesses like ulcers, obesity, and other life-threatening conditions.
“When I found out about it, I was already developing WonderTree, but I just didn’t realize how special it was for somebody like me who, in the middle of developing this skin care product, realized that it could be even more magical for me as somebody with sensitive skin and a skin disorder,” Blanchard said.
Still image of WonderTree Skin products
According to Blanchard, WonderTree Skin’s emphasis on innovation extends beyond its ingredients. She has successfully leveraged her marketing expertise to create a brand that resonates with consumers who seek authenticity, transparency, and efficacy in their natural skincare products. From sleek packaging to engaging storytelling, every aspect of WonderTree Skin reflects Blanchard’s vision for redefining beauty standards in a way that celebrates diversity and inclusivity. There is also a legacy of wealth that precedes Blanchard’s vision that lends to the fact that studies have shown that the global Moringa market size was approximately $ 9.5 billion in 2022 and is predicted to grow to around USD 18.2 billion by 2030.
“I believe that black people deserve the opportunity to reclaim a path to wealth and reclaim our narrative, and so my actions being a business owner, being a business leader are very much a commitment to showing my Children that there is a path to building ownership and wealth for generations to come,” Blanchard said. “So WonderTree Skin is part of my desire and vision to build something that will have economic value for my family and my community for generations.”