Kealeboga Xulu
Hello, my name is Kealeboga Xulu. I am the Founder of KIJANII by KX.
I attended secondary school at Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA in Swaziland. Waterford is a United World College and we were always encouraged to think about sustainability and to find ways to create a better world. I have always had an interest for finding eco-friendly alternatives and this interest developed into a passion, thus KIJANII By KX was born.
Early 2019, whilst developing a website for a client, I decided to conceive an eco-friendly blog which I brought to life. Soon after that, I had to think of ways I could make money and start a business. I did my research and found that eco-friendly straw alternatives were gaining momentum worldwide and decided to take a risk and introduce our products to the South African market.
Company Name: KIJANII by KX
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Operating since: 2019
Instagram: @kijaniibykx
Tell us all about your company. What product do you offer?
We supply disposable biodegradable straws (paper and plant based) to establishments and have a reusable straw range available for purchase from TakeAlot.com (a leading South African e-commerce site). Our reusable straw range is also available at Waterfall Market (Mall of Africa).
How did you get the idea or concept for your company?
I got the idea after I initially started an eco-friendly blog. It was getting a lot of traffic so I figured that offering physical products would be more effective. I did my research and found out about how the waste from single use plastics were ravaging our environment and decided to come up with a solution. I decided to commit!
Growing up, did you always intend to start your own company/organization?
I have always wanted to start my own company and be a boss. As an independent, free-spirited thinker, bringing my ideas to life is my purpose. I have always had an entrepreneurial streak in me but due to other factors, my projects would wither away. I am in the best shape I have ever been and I am incredibly aligned with KIJANII.
How have your past personal & professional experiences helped you to run your company?
My background in Software Engineering helped me get the tech side of my business off the ground. I did it all on my own. I soak up knowledge and I learn new things everyday.
What is the biggest obstacle you've had to overcome?
The biggest obstacle I have had to overcome thus far is separating my feelings from my business. I invested in therapy to help me overcome some of the negative feelings I have experienced while running this business. Nobody talks about the shut doors, botched deals, rejection and periods of hardship. I walked straight into it with no safety net.
What's your definition of success?
My definition of success is creating something that improves people’s lives.
What are some of your future plans? Are you working on anything else right now?
We are working on increasing our retail footprint so watch this space!
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry or starting her own company/organization?
Start strong and take care of your mental health in the process.
Describe yourself in ONE word. Risk-taker
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today is..." a privilege.
If you enjoyed reading about Kealeboga Xulu, you can follow her on Instagram.