Hidden Gems: Meet Ugonna of Ugo Joshua

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ugonna.

Hi Ugonna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?

Our Story

Growing up in Nigeria, I always dreamed of becoming a designer. My curiosity and love for fashion began early. I would spend hours helping out in a neighbor’s tailoring shop, captivated by the art of creating beautiful garments. By the age of eight, I was already sketching unique designs and crafting accessories that reflected my creativity and sense of style. My family fondly called me “the family stylist.”

Though I went on to earn a degree in Law and an MBA in Public Management, my passion for fashion never faded. One challenge I faced personally was finding luxurious, elegant purses that were also affordable. As a stylish woman on a budget, I often felt that true luxury was out of reach. Through research, I realized that there were few brands that successfully merged high-end design with affordability. That sparked the creation of The Ugo Joshua Collection.

The Meaning Behind the Name

The name Ugo means eagle. Eagle is a rare and revered bird in African culture. The eagle symbolizes strength, courage, renewal, and resilience, qualities that reflect every woman’s journey. Just like the eagle, women rise, rebuild, and soar again, no matter the challenges they face.

Our Essence

Ugo Joshua embodies class, luxury, beauty, and elegance in celebration of womanhood and the power of transformation.
In one sentence: Ugo Joshua empowers women to rise above the pain of their past, unlock the power of their present, and embrace the greatness of their future.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?

Getting the business off the ground came with its share of challenges. Accessing capital was one of the biggest hurdles. Without the option of small business loans, I invested all my personal savings and even cashed out part of my 401(k) to fund the dream. Another major challenge was finding manufacturers willing to produce our bags in smaller quantities. As a new and growing brand, we are not yet able to manufacture in large volumes, which often results in higher production costs. Despite these obstacles, our commitment to quality and craftsmanship remains unwavering. Every piece we produce reflects the same dedication, passion, and attention to detail that define the Ugo Joshua brand.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ugo Joshua?
Ugo Joshua is a brand that specializes in fine leather handbags. Ugo Joshua presents a rare, exotic quality. Each style is designed with distinctive eagle wing flaps, adding a touch of drama and sophistication that symbolizes freedom and strength. Our bags are both elegant and practical, thoughtfully crafted with the working-class, middle-class, and upper-class woman in mind. Every purse is functional and refined, featuring built-in phone holders, loops for cables and stationery, and compartments for essentials like cosmetic brushes and nail files.

I believe that women everywhere will connect not only to each Ugo Joshua bag as a product but also to the powerful story behind the brand.

Ugo Joshua is more than just a bag or a fashion accessory. It is a story, a journey, and a destiny. It represents my trials and triumphs, and embodies the spirit of resurrection, renewal, revival, reinvention, rebirth, reinforcement, and re-empowerment for every woman who has ever fallen and risen again.

This brand was created for every woman who has endured domestic violence, abuse, hopelessness, or mental health struggles — to remind her that it is possible to rise from the dust, to stand tall, and to soar again, just like an eagle.

Ugo Joshua is the culmination of everything I have been through in life, and a reflection of where I am going. A vital part of our mission is to support the Voice of Destiny Foundation, a nonprofit organization I founded to empower women and youth in my community to rebuild their lives and reach their full potential.

As a domestic violence and child abuse survivor, I understand firsthand the devastating impact of trauma. Through The Voice of Destiny Foundation, I host conferences and programs designed to inspire women to overcome the odds stacked against them, rediscover their strength, and live their most authentic lives.

A percentage of every Ugo Joshua Collection sale goes toward supporting this mission — because when women rise, they lift the world with them.

What matters most to you?
Faith, family and giving back to my community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ugojoshua.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ugojoshua_collections/
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Ugo-Joshua-Collections-2495385083821322/

Image Credits
JC Penny Portraits