ONSIDE Entrepreneur Spotlight: Margaret Osakwe, Founder, Ada Hairitage
Margaret Osakwe is the Founder/Lead Stylist & Braider of Ada Hairitage, a full-service hair care, braiding, and beauty supply store located at 141 Main Street in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Her storefront, situated opposite McDonald’s, operates as a one-stop shop where clients can receive professional hair treatments, trims, and braiding services while also purchasing carefully selected beauty and hair care products.
Margaret sources products both locally and internationally, importing from the United States, Nigeria, and China to ensure customers have access to a wide range of quality options tailored to their needs. Her goal is to provide a seamless experience—where clients can receive expert care and leave with the exact products recommended for maintaining their look at home.
The Impact
Connecting Through OnSide Vendor Markets
“I participated in an ONSIDE: Start Now Incubator vendor market where I was able to showcase my products and connect with fellow women entrepreneurs. While I did not make direct sales that day, the exposure and networking opportunities were meaningful outcomes for my business. ”
— Margaret Osakwe
“ONSIDE provides opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow, thrive, and be seen. ”
— Margaret Osakwe
Growing Through Community
Creating visibility, connection, and long-term impact through shared entrepreneurial spaces
“ Through the ONSIDE: Start Now Incubator experience, I built new relationships, gained visibility, and learned valuable insights from other entrepreneurs—many of which I have since applied to strengthen and grow my operations. I consider it a win, because brand exposure and community connection often lead to long-term impact beyond immediate revenue. “
— Margaret Osakwe