Sia Komba
Owner of
MANSA MUSU
~ Cosmetics ~
Copa: Where are you from?
Sia: I am originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, currently live in South Carolina.
Sia: I am originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, currently live in South Carolina.
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Copa: What Schools have you attended?
Sia: I attended high school in Sierra Leone. I traveled to the USA at the turn of the century and attended a community college named Montgomery College in Takoma Park, Maryland for pre-nursing prerequisite and completed my Bachelors Degree in Nursing at Howard University School of Nursing in 2008. After practicing nursing for almost a decade, I went back to School and attended Walden University School of Nursing where I obtained my Masters Degree in Nursing and became a nurse practitioner. After noticing a stark rise in the need for mental health professionals, I went back to school to obtain my graduate post masters certificate in mental health nurse practitioner from Liberty University. I am currently dual board certified in both Acute Care and Mental Health across the lifespan. I am going back to obtain my DNP in nursing. Copa: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your life?
Sia: The women in my life. My Mum, my aunts and my grandmothers. These women never took no for an answer. They were go-getters. They were pretty much the breadwinners for their families. They made us feel like we were well-to-do even though they had nothing. We never felt like we were poor. We attended the best schools in Sierra Leone, even though now looking back, we were scraping to survive, but they never made it show. My kids are also my inspiration. They are perfectionist when it comes to time management and doing their best in school. They are really good kids. They enjoy simple things. if I allow them, they will wear one pair of shoes or clothes all year round and not complain. I once saw my son sewing a sock, and I was so upset. I told him that we are not that broke; all you have to do is tell us you need new socks. That was interesting. |
Sierra Leone Flag
Map of Sierra Leone
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Copa: Has fashion and style been part of your life?
Sia: Yes, fashion has always been part of my life. Growing up in Sierra Leone, we were heavily influenced by European and American fashion. I used to turn to magazines like the Jet, Word up, Ebony, and Essence for style and what's trending. We shopped at consignment stores to get almost new clothing from the UK and USA.
Sia: Yes, fashion has always been part of my life. Growing up in Sierra Leone, we were heavily influenced by European and American fashion. I used to turn to magazines like the Jet, Word up, Ebony, and Essence for style and what's trending. We shopped at consignment stores to get almost new clothing from the UK and USA.
Copa: At what time did you establish Mansa Musu Cosmetics?
Sia: Mansa Musu Cosmetics was established in 2022. After the opportunity arose to own my own cosmetic brand. Prior to that I had sold Mary Kay, Avon, and Rodan & Fields cosmetics.
Sia: Mansa Musu Cosmetics was established in 2022. After the opportunity arose to own my own cosmetic brand. Prior to that I had sold Mary Kay, Avon, and Rodan & Fields cosmetics.
Copa: How many products do you have for sale and what are they?
Sia: I have about ten products: cream, powder, and liquid foundations, cream concealers, eyeshadows, Lipsticks, lip glosses, blushes, eye pencils, and setting sprays.
Sia: I have about ten products: cream, powder, and liquid foundations, cream concealers, eyeshadows, Lipsticks, lip glosses, blushes, eye pencils, and setting sprays.
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Copa: What makes your cosmetic line so special?
Sia: What makes Mansa Musu special is its commitment to quality, ethics, and inclusivity. My products are cruelty-free, ensuring that no animals are harmed in the process. I also offer vegan and halal options, catering to a diverse range of beauty lovers who want products that align with their values. Every item in my collection is crafted with the highest quality standards and ingredients, ensuring luxurious textures, rich pigments, and long-lasting wear. Mansa Musu isn’t just about makeup—it’s about empowerment. It’s about feeling like a queen every time you apply a product. It’s beauty with a purpose, made for those who deserve the very best.
Sia: What makes Mansa Musu special is its commitment to quality, ethics, and inclusivity. My products are cruelty-free, ensuring that no animals are harmed in the process. I also offer vegan and halal options, catering to a diverse range of beauty lovers who want products that align with their values. Every item in my collection is crafted with the highest quality standards and ingredients, ensuring luxurious textures, rich pigments, and long-lasting wear. Mansa Musu isn’t just about makeup—it’s about empowerment. It’s about feeling like a queen every time you apply a product. It’s beauty with a purpose, made for those who deserve the very best.
Copa: How can my readers order from you?
Sia: Our website is mansamusubeautyandcosmetics.com. We also have links on facebook and Instagram and will be on Tiktok shop.
Sia: Our website is mansamusubeautyandcosmetics.com. We also have links on facebook and Instagram and will be on Tiktok shop.
Copa: What does the future hold for you?
Sia: The future of Mansa Musu is all about growth, innovation and empowerment. My goal is to expand the brand globally while staying true to the values that inspire it- quality, inclusivity and ethical beauty.
Sia: The future of Mansa Musu is all about growth, innovation and empowerment. My goal is to expand the brand globally while staying true to the values that inspire it- quality, inclusivity and ethical beauty.
About Mansa Musu Cosmetics.
Our story:
Growing up in Sierra Leone, life was anything but easy. We didn’t have much, but what we lacked in wealth, we made up for in spirit, resilience, and beauty—especially the kind that radiated from my grandmother. She was an elegant woman, effortlessly graceful, and always well put together despite our circumstances. She had a way of making the simplest things look luxurious.
I would watch her get ready every morning, completely mesmerized by her routine. She used Tero as an eye pencil, applying it carefully to define her eyes, and dusted white powder onto her face to keep her skin looking fresh and matte. Though she didn’t have expensive cosmetics, she knew how to use what she had to highlight her natural beauty. The same was true for my aunts—they adored makeup, and their love for it became mine.
As a young girl, I wanted to follow in their footsteps, but teenagers weren’t allowed to wear makeup. That didn’t stop me. I found my own way, using the black smoke buildup from the kerosene lamp as eyeliner. It may not have been a perfect solution, but to me, it was magic. With every stroke, I felt closer to the world of beauty I admired so much.
That passion never faded. The desire to create my own makeup line lived within me for years, growing stronger with time. When the opportunity finally presented itself, I didn’t hesitate—I jumped on it. That’s how Mansa Musu was born.
Mansa Musu, meaning “Queen,” was inspired by the belief that everyone deserves to feel special, to feel regal, to embrace their beauty with confidence. It’s not just about makeup; it’s about empowerment, about transforming the everyday routine into something extraordinary—just like my grandmother did every morning.
From humble beginnings to building a brand, my journey has been shaped by the women who came before me. And now, through Mansa Musu, I hope to pass that inspiration on to others, helping them see the queen within themselves—because beauty isn’t just about how you look, it’s about how you feel.
