Dr. Mrs. Nkem Imarue is a Nigerian entrepreneur, interior and exterior designer, philanthropist, speaker and community leader. She is the founder and CEO of Freshstart Interiors and Exterior, an award-winning design company, and the founder of the Circle of Godly Women Organisation, a non-governmental organisation focused on empowering women and children through skills development, charity and community-based initiatives. Some people build businesses. Some people build communities.

With a career that brings together creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership and social impact, Dr. Nkem Imarue has built platforms that extend beyond commercial success. Through her work in design, she transforms residential and commercial environments into functional and visually engaging spaces. Through her community work, she has created opportunities for women and children to access practical support, training and empowerment.

Her work is driven by a belief that success should go beyond personal achievement and create opportunities for others. This philosophy has shaped the different areas of her work, from Freshstart Interiors and Exterior to the Circle of Godly Women Organisation and her role as the convener of CEO Business Brunch.

Born in Ughelli, Delta State, Nigeria, with roots in Obomkpa, Issele-Ukwu, Dr. Mrs. Nkem Imarue’s journey has been shaped by a strong sense of family, community and ambition. Her academic background began in Public Administration, with studies at Ambrose Alli University and Benue State University. But her journey did not stop there. Driven by a desire to create, innovate and build, she expanded her knowledge into interior design and decoration, developing the foundation for what would later become one of the defining parts of her professional journey. What started as a passion for beautiful and functional environments would eventually grow into something much bigger.

Dr. Mrs. Nkem Imarue’s professional journey is built around creativity, entrepreneurship and purpose-driven leadership. Her career in design developed from a passion for creating beautiful, harmonious and functional spaces. Rather than approaching design as decoration alone, her work focuses on understanding how people live, work and interact with their environments. This approach has become a defining part of her professional philosophy. She has emphasised the importance of intentional planning in interior design, beginning with an understanding of a client’s lifestyle, spatial needs and long-term goals before design decisions are made. Over the years, her work has expanded beyond design into entrepreneurship, public speaking, women’s empowerment and community development.

In 2017, Dr. Mrs. Nkem Imarue founded Freshstart Interiors and Exterior, an interior and exterior design company headquartered in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. Freshstart was established with a vision to transform spaces by combining aesthetics with functionality. The company works across residential and commercial environments, creating interiors and exterior spaces designed around the individual needs, lifestyle and objectives of its clients. Under Dr. Nkem Imarue’s leadership, Freshstart has grown into an established design brand, recognised for its focus on creativity, functionality and carefully planned spaces. For Dr. Nkem, design is not simply about making a space look attractive. It is about understanding the purpose of that space and ensuring that every element contributes to the overall experience. Her philosophy is centred on intentional design, planning and functionality. The goal is to create environments that are visually refined while remaining practical, sustainable and relevant to the people who use them.

Beyond her work in interior and exterior design, Dr. Nkem Imarue has continued to build a reputation as an entrepreneur and thought leader. Her experience in business has given her opportunities to speak on creativity, entrepreneurship, mindset and leadership. She has also participated in programmes and events focused on empowering young people, entrepreneurs and women.

In one such engagement, she spoke on the power of a creative mindset in a woman, encouraging women to recognise the importance of mindset in leadership and personal development. She has also been listed among speakers at programmes focused on entrepreneurship, creativity and digital innovation.

Her work reflects a broader belief that creativity is not limited to art or design. It can also be applied to business, leadership, problem-solving and personal growth.

In 2016, Dr. Mrs. Nkem Imarue founded the Circle of Godly Women Organisation, CGWO, a non-governmental organisation focused on empowering women and children.

The organisation was established as a platform for community development, charity, education, skills acquisition and practical empowerment. Through CGWO, Dr. Nkem Imarue has pursued a mission that goes beyond building businesses. Her focus is also on building people.

The organisation has carried out numerous community and charity initiatives, including projects designed to support women and children through practical skills, training, outreach and empowerment. Public profiles of the organisation have reported more than 120 successful charity projects in Delta State and surrounding areas, while later interviews have described a wider range of projects across Nigeria.

Dr. Nkem Imarue has described Freshstart and CGWO as two distinct platforms with different purposes. Freshstart operates as a commercial business focused on design excellence, while CGWO focuses on community service, education and empowerment. Together, they reflect two important parts of her vision: building beautiful spaces and helping to build better lives.

Dr. Nkem Imarue’s journey across business, design and community development is connected by a common philosophy: purpose should influence what we build. Whether she is working on a residential or commercial design project, leading an organisation, speaking to entrepreneurs or creating a platform for women and professionals to connect, her work is centred around transformation.

Her approach to leadership combines creativity with intentional planning. She believes that vision must be supported by structure, preparation and the willingness to create opportunities for others.

This philosophy is also evident in her work with women and young people, where empowerment is not simply presented as inspiration but as access to skills, knowledge, support and opportunities for growth.

Dr. Mrs. Nkem Imarue has received recognition for her work in entrepreneurship, design, leadership and community development.

Some of her publicly listed recognitions include:

• Honorary Doctorate from Triune Biblical University Global Extension, USA
• Niger Delta Recognition Honorary Award, 2022
• 50 Young Persons of the Year, 2022
• Delta State Achievers Award, DSAA, 2023
• Other recognitions and entrepreneurship awards for her contributions to design, leadership and social impact.

PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES

Dr. Mrs. Nkem Imarue’s work is represented across several platforms and initiatives, including:

FRESHSTART INTERIORS AND EXTERIOR

An interior and exterior design company focused on creating functional, aesthetically refined residential and commercial spaces.

CIRCLE OF GODLY WOMEN ORGANISATION, CGWO

A non-governmental organisation focused on empowering women and children through skills development, charity, education and community initiatives.

CEO BUSINESS BRUNCH

A premium business and networking platform bringing together entrepreneurs, executives, investors and professionals through curated conversations, events and international business experiences.

THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

Dr. Mrs. Nkem Imarue’s story is one of creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership and purpose.

From designing spaces through Freshstart Interiors and Exterior to empowering women and children through the Circle of Godly Women Organisation, and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and professionals through CEO Business Brunch, her journey continues to evolve.

At the centre of her work is a belief in transformation.

The transformation of a space.

The transformation of an idea.

The transformation of a person through opportunity.

And the belief that when people come together with purpose, meaningful conversations can become meaningful opportunities.