GGLOW was born in London, but its roots are in Ghana. So when our founder, Elsie Ocran, travels there, it's never just a business trip. It's a homecoming with a purpose.
A visit full of inspiration
On her recent visit, Elsie met the team at GEM Media Worldwide and members of the Ghana 100 Entrepreneurs Community, a community of Ghanaian founders and creatives.
She came away inspired by the talent, creativity and entrepreneurial spirit she found, and by the warm hospitality that welcomed her everywhere she went.
Where it all began
Elsie was born in Ghana and grew up in a family of entrepreneurs before moving to the UK at 14. Years later, she started making her own skincare with shea butter from Ghana. When friends kept asking how she kept her skin so healthy, GGLOW began to take shape.
Even the name carries that heritage. GGLOW stands for Gyamfua Glow, and Gyamfua is Elsie's African heritage name, which means imaginative, creative, insightful and helpful.
When the pandemic disrupted supply chains, Elsie drew on her community ties to build a direct supply chain between the UK and Ghana. Those relationships are still the backbone of the brand today.
Business is about people
For Elsie, this visit was a reminder of something she has always believed: business is about more than products. It's about people, partnerships and creating opportunities that benefit both the business and the communities behind it.
That's why she's now exploring ways to:
- Connect with more local producers of natural ingredients
- Support responsible sourcing
- Build partnerships with Ghanaian founders and creatives
- Strengthen the links between Ghana and the UK, so opportunity flows both ways
In her words: "Growth is about building relationships, creating opportunities and ensuring that progress is shared."
What it means for you
Natural skincare is only as good as where it comes from. When you choose GGLOW, you're choosing ingredients sourced through real relationships in Ghana, chosen by a founder who knows the people and places behind them.
And as those partnerships grow, so will what we can bring you, while making sure the communities who make it possible grow with us.