Ep # 94 : Plant-Based Entrepreneur Niehla Ollie: From Beauty Industry to Homegirl’s Hummus

This episode was recorded live on Saturday November 8th at Lumpen Radio in Chicago.

Summary of the episode

This week on noseyAF, I’m talking with Niehla Ollie, the creative behind Homegirl’s Hummus. After more than 20 years in the fashion and beauty world, Niehla had a late-night hummus craving in Milwaukee that changed everything. What started as a midnight snack moment turned into a full-on business built on flavor, love, and community.

Niehla opens up about loss, faith, and starting over, and we get into how food can heal and connect people. She shares what it’s really like to run a food business, the importance of taking care of yourself while chasing your dreams, and why kindness and a good dip go a long way.

This conversation is full of heart, hustle, and hummus — the perfect combo.

Chapters:

• 00:17 - A New Beginning

• 06:08 - The Origin of Homegirls Hummus

• 12:40 - Transitioning to Healthy Eating Choices

• 19:22 - Navigating Dietary Restrictions During the Holidays

• 22:57 - The Journey of Homegirl Hummus

• 32:06 - The Importance of Self-Care

• 45:34 - Faith and Business: A Journey of Hope

• 52:15 - Exploring the World of Hummus and Beyond

• 56:11 - The Art of Entertaining

What we talk about

How Niehla went from beauty industry boss to hummus queen

The story behind Homegirl’s Hummus and how it started with one late-night craving

Why plant-based eating doesn’t have to be complicated or boring

Handling grief, growth, and entrepreneurship with faith and flavor

The real talk about self-care and staying grounded while building something new

All about… Niehla Ollie

You’re gonna love Niehla Ollie (aka Niehla O). After more than 20 years in fashion and beauty, she wanted to help people feel good from the inside out. That led her to create Homegirl’s Hummus, a plant-based brand that’s all about community, creativity, and connection.

She started making hummus for friends in L.A. back in 2016, and after moving back home to Chicago — and through some major life changes — she decided to go all in. In 2021, Homegirl’s Hummus was officially born, spreading love (and hummus) one scoop at a time.

Connect with Niehla

Instagram: @homegirlshummus

Website: homegirlshummus.com

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Episode Credits

Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Me, Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)

Lyrics: Queen Lex

Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam

Mentioned in this episode:

The Empowered and Embodied Show

Kim Romain and Louise Neil, along with their refreshingly honest guests, invite you on an entertaining and insightful exploration of what it means to be human. From personal breakthroughs to the stumbles of everyday life, The Empowered & Embodied Show dives headfirst into what it truly means to be gloriously, messily human. This isn't your typical self-help podcast – it's a no-holds-barred exploration of the laughter, tears, and "what the heck just happened?" moments that shape our lives. Whether you're riding high on a wave of success or wading through the swamp of self-doubt, Kim and Louise unpack the sometimes crunchy realities and unexpected joys of personal growth with wit, wisdom, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation – because let's face it, becoming your best self is anything but a straight line!

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