Meet Shola Agunbiade | Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Shola Agunbiade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shola, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always dreamed of owning a business, inspired by my father, who built his own successful accounting firm. Watching his journey taught me the importance of hard work, independence, and giving back. For me, starting Dabira Aroma wasn’t just about building a luxury fragrance brand—it was about channeling my passion for creating self-care products that help people relax into something with a deeper purpose. I’ve always felt a calling to contribute meaningfully to my home country, Nigeria. With Dabira Aroma, I’m able to do just that. A portion of every sale is donated to a Nigerian orphanage, allowing me to give back to a community that has always been close to my heart.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Dabira Aroma is a home and body fragrance brand that honors Africa’s rich heritage through meticulously crafted, non-toxic candles, home fragrances, and body care products. Since founding the brand in 2019, our mission has been to provide a luxurious self-care experience while promoting self-love and giving back to communities in need. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to pure, natural ingredients and ethical sourcing. Each product is handmade in small batches and infused with premium botanicals and essences grown by African cooperatives. This not only guarantees exceptional quality but also supports local communities, preserving traditional practices and creating sustainable livelihoods.

The name Dabira Aroma, meaning “God does Wonders and Serenity” in Yoruba, reflects our philosophy of making a meaningful impact. A portion of every purchase goes to a Nigerian orphanage, helping to spread hope and joy. As a first-generation Nigerian-American, I’ve always felt a deep connection to my heritage, and creating Dabira Aroma allows me to share that legacy while giving back. With every candle or fragrance, customers are receiving more than just a luxury product—they are contributing to a greater cause.

Building Dabira Aroma has been an exciting, yet challenging journey. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to wait for everything to be perfect—growth comes through learning and evolving. I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, especially in our ability to support organizations in both Oakland and Nigeria. Scaling the business and introducing Dabira Aroma to new audiences have been ongoing challenges, but they’ve also driven our continuous evolution.

One of the highlights of this past year has been curating candle-making classes and “sip and pour” events. These experiences have allowed me to connect directly with people, creating a wonderful community vibe. Through these classes, I not only get to share my craft but also foster creativity and self-expression in others.

Ultimately, I hope everyone who buys from Dabira Aroma feels like they’re part of a family that believes in luxury, self-care, and making the world a better place.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
For a week-long trip, I’d create a mix of fun and active experiences to keep things exciting! To stay active, we’d start with a Pilates class at BodyRok and switch it up and have a boxing session at Title Boxing to get our energy up. Then, we’d treat ourselves and get our nails done at Fam Nails to relax and unwind.

When it comes to food, we’d definitely enjoy some of the best fish tacos at ChoLita Linda and savor outdoor dining with amazing Indian food at Pipal. For brunch, Doyle Street Café would be a must for their delicious pancakes. We’d also take a day trip to wine country, visiting some of my favorite wineries—Sterling Vineyards and V. Sattui Winery, and our last stop would be at Housley Napa Valley for a memorable wine-tasting experience.

We’d spend a relaxing day walking around Lake Merritt if the weather’s nice, and for a cozy work or hangout spot, we’d check out Sweet July & Kinfolx—perfect for some quality downtime.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m incredibly fortunate to have such a supportive community around me. First and foremost, my family has been instrumental in helping me pursue this dream. My husband has been amazing—he’s not only a great partner but also my sounding board when I’m brainstorming new products for the business. I’m also deeply grateful for my close friends, many of whom are fellow entrepreneurs. They constantly inspire me, sharing their own journeys and lessons, which keeps me motivated to continue growing Dabira Aroma. Their encouragement has been invaluable, and I owe so much of my progress to the support and wisdom of those around me.

Website: https://www.dabiraaroma.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dabiraaroma/

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dabiraaroma

Image Credits
Kola Shobo [Self portraits and group model shots in robes]