Founder & CEO
Founded and creatively directed by television personality, political commentator and interior designer Dr. Wendy Osefo, Onyi Home Essentials is a collection of timeless, sophisticated and luxurious home decor essentials for the everyday person designing on a budget or searching for the most opulent aesthetic. Inspired by her eye for the most lavish and luxurious aromas, her life experiences, and her travel to different parts of the world, Wendy saw the need to create a home essential brand that reflects her authentic self. A brand that is both versatile and affordable for the decor enthusiast in everyone and the HGTV fanatics in the world like herself.
Wendy came to the United States from Nigeria with her family at a very young age. As Wendy matriculated and achieved success in both the classroom and her career, she sought to conquer the next phase in her life - becoming a business woman. As the mother of three young children, Wendy’s greatest joy is watching her kids grow, and of course, being a wife to her husband Eddie. Wendy wears the honor of being the First Nigerian-American Housewife in Bravo TV history with great pride. Throughout her inaugural season of the Real Housewives of Potomac, Wendy highlighted her Nigerian heritage, what it means to be a Nigerian-American, and how her Nigerian roots and background play such a pivotal role in who she is, how she raises her children, and the woman that she is today.
A firm believer in to whom much is given, much is required, Wendy affectionately named her home essential and lifestyle brand Onyi (pronounced "On-ye-EE") after a shortened version of her middle name Onyinye. Onyi means gift in her native dialect of Igbo and Wendy is determined to make each handcrafted item a gift to the world. Onyi Home Essentials began as an idea and has quickly become her passion. Wendy names each candle “Kandụlụ na esi isi oma" which loosely translates to “scented candle” in her native Igbo dialect.
Each fragrance is specially handcrafted and infused with one of a kind fragrance oils blended together to create the perfect scent. The scents from Onyi Home Essentials candles instantly enhance your space while creating a long-lasting sense of comfort, elegance and luxury.
From her home to yours, Wendy is determined to change the interior design landscape one candle at a time. She invites you to join her on this journey.
Welcome to Onyi Home Essentials!
Our Story
Wendy’s love for fragrance and home décor runs deep in her veins. Growing up, Wendy was always surrounded by the sweet, yet distinct scent of her mother‘s perfume, coupled with the timeless interior pieces her mother, Iyom Susan Okuzu, kept in their home. Iyom, a woman known for her unforgettable signature scent, passed on this love of fragrances and interior design to Wendy.
The foundational belief that every home should have a signature scent along with a signature style serves as the impetus for the creation of Onyi Home Essentials.
Wendy who is now a mother, has passed on this love of fragrances and sense of style to her own daughter, Kamrynn Kapri.
While the signature scent of Onyi Home Essentials is named after Wendy, the other fragrances are affectionately named after her mother and her three children.
A strong believer in the old adage, “You have to know where you come from to understand where you are going,” Wendy pays homage to her mother for passing down a unique love of scent and design.
While many aspire to make history, Wendy understands that the true prize in life is to create a LEGACY.
