Anglo-Ghanaian Woman ‘Steps Forward’ - launches her own fitness brand

Ghanaian-born entrepreneur and well know UK community leader Mavis Osei launches May & Co Activewear. A fitness brand aimed at getting all women fit, from the first step to the next step. Mavis, who is one of the Directors of Miss Ghana UK and co-founder of the MGUK Foundation has spent over 20 years working with London-based Ghanaians. As well as running multiple campaigns to raise funding and investment in Ghana. Mavis was hosted by President Nana Akuffo Addo in 2018 as part of the successful MGUK Foundation and Miss Ghana UK initiative to engage with young women in Ghana and support their career aims.

May & Co Activewear is an active sports and leisure brand with a difference from mainstream apparel. As Mavis noted, “Many of the major sports brands target the same small demographic, using role models that seem so far away from an average person’s lifestyle. One of the biggest killers in society is obesity and the causes of it – with May & Co Activewear we’re reaching out to ‘every woman’. If you’re looking to step away from the sofa after many years of inactivity, looking to improve your health & wellbeing, or simply find clothing to match an active lifestyle – we’ll have a product for you.” Being active is not always about spending hours in the gym, it can simply be meeting friends for a coffee.

May & Co Activewear is presently based in the UK. But are also looking to add Ghanaian distribution in the near future and introduce Menswear to extend their footprint. Noting that stepping forward can be the biggest hurdle, Mavis is keen to stress that mental health and physical health are linked. “I’m a mum, a worker, a bill payer and a woman, not all those things always match a happy mental state. Let’s be honest and open about that. Stepping forwards with May & Co Activewear is about owning our headspace, by improving our heart.

A stronger body does not have to mean size 10 and skinny – it means getting out there, walking 15 mins a day, running to the next bus stop… we can all take micro-steps. Battling with mental health can be helped by talking – even a 30 min fast walk in a park with the kids or friends can help head and heart together. So, now’s the time to “stepping forward together!”