THE GT STORY PROJECT - W.FOUNDER
The mission and goal is to help people who have the same problem as me. I struggled with skin for so long. Now that I’ve figured out what works I decided to share with people and there’s quite good reviews. It brings joy to my heart to see my products work for people because I know how it feels to have skin problems.
Read MoreWhen I was a kid when my mother would relax my hair; I would cry from the relaxer burning my scalp and she would say “pretty hurts my child” and continue. I got used to healing the scalp burns after every relaxer treatment. Four years ago, I decided to cut my relaxed hair to grow my afro and that’s when I realized that I did not know anything about my natural hair - from products to use to maintaining it. I then started my natural hair journey through trial and error and lot of research. I got good feedback about my hair, people started asking what I did and what products I used. Initially, I only wanted an organic skincare manufacturing business but after my natural hair journey, I decided to start with haircare.
Read MoreI wanted to start Lulibo Market almost 5 years ago. I had this idea to start a platform where I would share my transition from buying from big businesses to almost exclusively supporting small, local, black-owned brands. My goal was to amplify the work of black creatives, innovators, and entrepreneurs and to inspire more people to do the same. I then realized that so many people were going through this collective consciousness with regards to more purpose-driven consumerism. However, even though finding sustainable, ethical and eco-conscious brands was becoming easier, it was still difficult to find BIPOC-owned brands. So I moved from wanting to show people how I journeyed into shopping black to wanting more people to do the same. And with any movement, it is always easier to get people to join in if you make it as easy as possible. There came Lulibo Market, a one-stop-shop where you could find anything from dishwashing liquid to earrings to candles to skincare all BIPOC-owned.
Read MoreAfter losing my mother, I wanted to do or start something that’ would keep her memory alive, and to thank her for being the mother she was to me; hence, I started the skin care brand named after her. Also, as a self taught makeup artist, and someone who was bullied during my teen years because of a birthmark I have on my face, I wanted to help my makeup clients who also experience skin issues which they want to hide with makeup. I want to help other women get their confidence back, by helping them take care of their skin.
Read MoreMy inspiration came from Dr. Esther Mahlangu when she painted that BMW, and the particular thing that pushed me to start was unemployment, and to combine the two, I figured, since we are no longer sitting around a fire for the elders to pass on the richness of our culture, why not do it in a modern, fashionable way?
Read MoreI believe I somehow always knew that one day I would like to own a clothing brand. It was on my vision board for many years until I pinned a name to it in 2015. The name and the motive behind the brand were something that I considered for years. I worked on the concept of the Jlove Brand for four years prior to its launch. I started spending a lot of time watching business videos and my relationship with God was also maturing. I figured, anyone can start a brand of their own with a fancy name, but I needed something that was beyond me.
Read MoreOur desire to start Cult was built from our recognition of the lack of female leaders in the creative industry. Although the industry has a large female work force, the decisions are still being made by the boys club. To add fuel to this, we know women are making 85%+ of the purchasing decisions in South Africa (and the world), yet advertising and marketing does not cater to the specific insights of each female target audience.
Read MoreEarly 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.
Read MoreI really enjoyed strategizing in a brainstorm, working in the corporate ad agency space really allowed me to find my niche. I always ultimately knew I wanted to be my own boss, so once I identified and crafted my skill, I took the leap, quit my job, ([at the time] my husband was also studying full time). I can now - 3 years later, 100% say that it's totally worth it, challenging, but so rewarding! I finally realize what it means to have great responsibility for your own dreams and goals.
Read MoreGrowing up chubby, I've always had to succumb to what was available for me in stores. I couldn't choose what I wanted, as a result, I had such a mature sense of dress at such a young age because of the clothes available in stores. Growing up, I knew, I couldn't wait for the fashion industry to give me a seat at the table, I had to create my own table.
Read MoreThe formation of the organization was inspired by a local study conducted by young women on how other young women in and around Soweto tend to narrowly lead their lives. The appalling results of the study enabled us to come to terms with the fact that we needed to make a difference as well as break the pattern of how young women in our townships grow up with many talents/ideas/capabilities which are never materialized because of major issues they face. These include alcoholism, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and other factors that hinder their personal growth and development - [a phenomenon] which is very common among the youth of South Africa.
Read MoreI have a team of trendy professionals in Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing who lead by example, as individual reputations are the reflection of the client’s brand, and as we believe that the power of the team determines the success of the brands we produce. Our clients are my favourite people because they trust me with their careers! From TV presenters, like Mishka Loesch to comedians like Lunga Tshuka, and to International Makeup Artists like Keagan Cafun, you must learn to understand your personality and brand it!
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