Chioma grew up as the only girl among three older brothers. Her mother, a strong-willed and industrious woman, made sure that did not translate into softness. She taught Chioma the value of hard work, resilience, and independence early, the kind of lessons that do not leave you. They show up later, in the decisions you make, the things you pursue, and the way you keep going when things get hard.
Today Chioma is the founder of Glanelo Luxury, a custom leather footwear brand based in Agbara, Ogun State, handcrafting quality shoes for customers across Nigeria. She also breeds and markets dogs on the side, because if there is one thing that has always defined her, it is the refusal to limit herself based on what people might expect.
The shoemaking journey started with a friend. Years ago, Chioma watched someone she knew learn and practice the craft with a level of passion that was impossible to ignore. As someone who has always loved creating things with her hands, she was immediately drawn in. But what eventually pushed her from interest to action was something more personal, a desire to do things on her own terms.
“I’ve never liked limiting myself based on expectations,” she says. “If I’m interested in something, I pursue it.”
She pursued shoemaking fully and in 2023 launched her business. At that point it was still operating under a different name, Xandy Nelo. But a decision to rebrand to Glanelo Luxury changed not just what the business was called but how Chioma thought about it entirely. The new name was not arbitrary. She combined “Gla” from glamorous and “Nelo” from her native name, Chinelo, creating something that felt like her. Elegant, creative, and personal.
“It made me think more seriously about building a recognisable brand rather than simply making footwear,” she says. “Since then, I have become more intentional about quality, customer experience, and creating an online presence that reflects the value of my work.”
That shift in mindset is visible in how the business has grown. From her early products to what she produces today, the improvement is clear and deliberate. Every project has been a lesson. Every customer has been an opportunity to get better.
One of the moments that has stayed with her most happened early in the business. A customer from another state found her on Instagram and placed an order. What made it remarkable was that he sent full payment upfront, before receiving anything, before they had ever met, before she had the kind of track record that usually convinces a stranger to hand over money without hesitation.
She made the footwear carefully and delivered exactly what she promised. That experience meant something beyond the sale.
“It showed me that people are willing to trust and support your business when they can see your consistency, professionalism, and quality of work,” she says.
He came back for more. And that pattern, customers returning because the work holds up, has become one of the most consistent and rewarding parts of running Glanelo Luxury.
The challenges have been real though. Limited capital has made it harder to invest in the quality materials and equipment that a production-based business requires. Irregular power supply slows things down in ways that are frustrating and outside her control. And perhaps the most persistent challenge has been the perception issue, the widespread assumption that imported products are automatically superior to locally made ones, regardless of the actual quality.
Chioma has chosen to answer that assumption the only way that truly works. She lets the product speak.
“Consistency and quality have helped me earn trust,” she says simply.
Marketing has been its own learning curve. Getting visibility as a small business is not easy and Chioma has had to figure out digital marketing largely on her own, creating content, building a social media presence, and learning as she goes. But the foundation she is building is a solid one.
Through all of it, entrepreneurship has made her more resilient, more patient, more disciplined, and more confident in ways she did not anticipate when she started. She has learned to be resourceful with what she has rather than paralysed by what she does not, to reinvest in the business consistently, and to keep showing up even when progress feels slow.
Her advice to anyone starting out in the footwear industry is clear and earned.
“Focus on mastering the craft before chasing profits. Be willing to learn continuously, pay attention to details, and treat every customer professionally. Stay consistent. Growth takes time, but consistency and continuous improvement will always set you apart.”
“Focus on mastering the craft before chasing profits. Be willing to learn continuously, pay attention to details, and treat every customer professionally. Stay consistent. Growth takes time, but consistency and continuous improvement will always set you apart.”
The name Glanelo was built from her own name, from who she is. And the brand is being built the same way, deliberately, personally, and one handcrafted pair at a time.
Shop Glanelo Luxury and follow the journey on Instagram @glanelo_luxury, TikTok @glanelo, and Facebook at Glanelo Luxury.