Our Community

Empowering Women, Preserving Tradition, and Building a Legacy

At Yerwa Secrets, community is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that true success is measured not just by the quality of our products but by the lives we touch, the traditions we preserve, and the opportunities we create. From sourcing raw materials to handcrafted formulations, our journey is deeply intertwined with the women, artisans, and cultural custodians who bring our vision to life.

Since the start of Yerwa Secrets, one thing was very clear: we wanted to build a community. A community of people who cared not only for great products but for people as well. Thankfully, we have been blessed with the most amazing customers who are always supercharged to sow seeds of love within our community.

Empowering Women in Underserved Communities

Our name, Yerwa, is inspired by Maiduguri, Borno State—a region rich in culture and history. But beyond its beauty, it is also home to many women with untapped potential. At Yerwa Secrets, we are committed to uplifting and empowering women by providing skills training, employment, and financial opportunities to those in underserved communities.

We have set an ambitious goal of working with 150 local women between Borno and Gombe in 2025 for our incense-making initiatives, ensuring they too can earn a sustainable income from a craft that is already second nature to them. 80% of our incense is made by these women.

We are also a non-discriminatory brand—everyone is welcome. Women with disabilities are fully included in our workforce because we believe that empowerment should have no barriers.

Through our initiatives, we:
✔️ Train and employ women in the art of traditional perfumery and incense-making.
✔️ Offer mentorship and entrepreneurship support to help women build their own businesses.
✔️ Create sustainable income opportunities, ensuring long-term empowerment.

By choosing Yerwa Secrets, you are not just experiencing authentic scents—you are investing in real change and supporting a network of strong, talented women.

Keeping Traditions Alive

Scent has always been an integral part of our heritage. Passed down through generations, the art of incense burning and perfume blending is more than a craft—it is a cultural ritual, a legacy, and a way of life. Our mission is to ensure these age-old practices continue to thrive in modern times, bridging the gap between history and innovation.

We work closely with local artisans and elders who have mastered these techniques, ensuring that their knowledge is preserved, celebrated, and shared with the world. Every product we create carries a story, a tradition, and a piece of our identity.

Sourcing Where It Matters

At Yerwa Secrets, we have coined the term #WhereItMatters to reflect our commitment to making conscious financial decisions that empower small businesses and artisans. We prioritize sourcing raw materials from small businesses within our community and ensure that they are paid fairly. Because to some, a single sale is a meal on the table.

Beyond responsible sourcing, we also carry out impactful community projects.

✔️ June 2021 – The 5% Project: We partnered with Bysalmaofficial to create the 5% Project, where 5% of the proceeds from that month's sales were donated entirely to paying medical bills for those who couldn't afford it. That month, we successfully paid off 20 medical bills for people in need.

✔️ September 2024 – Flood50 Initiative: In response to the devastating floods in Maiduguri, we launched the Flood50 Initiative, where we donated 50% of our profits for a week (capped at N1,000,000) to support women-led small businesses who lost everything due to the disaster.

Our commitment goes beyond business—it’s about making a real difference in the lives of those around us.

Sustainability & Responsibility

Our commitment to community goes hand in hand with our dedication to sustainability. We believe in ethical sourcing, minimizing waste, and reducing our environmental footprint while ensuring that our practices benefit both people and the planet.

Some of our sustainability initiatives include:
🌍 Zero waste policy – Every byproduct from our perfume-making process is repurposed into incense.
♻️ Bottle refill programs – We encourage reuse by offering refills for perfume bottles in Nigeria.
📦 Eco-friendly packaging – We minimize plastic use and opt for biodegradable packaging wherever possible.

By prioritizing sustainability, we ensure that our impact extends beyond business—it becomes a force for good.

Join the Yerwa Secrets Community

Whether you are a customer, artisan, or supporter, you are part of our growing Yerwa Secrets family. Your support allows us to empower more women, preserve cultural traditions, and create a more sustainable future.

We invite you to be part of our journey—one scent, one story, one step at a time.

Follow our community initiatives, share your experience, and become part of something truly meaningful.

📩 Stay connected – Sign up for updates on our impact, new projects, and ways to get involved.
💬 Join the conversation – Follow us on social media and share your Yerwa Secrets story.
🤝 Make a difference – Every purchase supports our mission to empower, uplift, and transform lives.

Together, we are building something greater. Together, we are Yerwa Secrets.