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    Experts warn that township business should focus on building relations. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba\Mukurukuru Media

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    MEC Ketso Makume with SAPS during the Consumer Protection blitz in Bloemfontein

    Small traders hit by compliance crackdown

    Gauteng MEC for Transport, Kedibone Diale-Tlabela, announced plans to develop a new e-hailing app that will be government-led.

    Ride-hailing project may offer significant business opportunities

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    Bakers aim to cash in on cake picnics

    Murendeni Mafumo, founder of Kusini Water seen processing water

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    ATM shutdowns could hurt SMEs as banks go digital

    CHIETA CEO Yershen Pillay

    CHIETA on a drive to put women at centre of chemical industries

    Zwakele Mbanjwa, managing director of BIG Africa

    C20 starts updating policy on digital participation

  • Agriculture
    Local farmers are worried about the increased pork and beef imports from the US

    US poultry and pork imports worries small meat suppliers

    Farmer and agro ecology campaigner Rosa Ramaipadi hopes the career and trade expo she is hosting will benefit small scale farmers and SMEs in general. Photo. Lucas Ledwaba

    Expo to empower farmers with new opportunities

    SMEs in North West hope the development of a new poultry project will benefit local business.

    Poultry project gives former miners and SMEs hope

    Espinaca Innovations which started a health revolution in Cape Town townships

    Small agro-processing businesses making their mark

    U.S. slaps 30% tariff on South African citrus, a blow that could squeeze small growers out of the export market

    Citrus sector concerned as tariffs bite

    MEC for Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in North West :Madoda Sambatha

    Livestock SMEs want access to retailers

    Lebohang Dhludhlu who runs a poultry farm

    Woman farmer making a mark in tough poultry sector

    Award-winning farmer to expand her business

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    Women entrepreneurs find the going tough on online platforms

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    Mulilo is powering South Africa’s energy revolution

    The founder and CEO of Q4ME Vuledzani Mathavha

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    Business analyst James Mavundla who launched Agrowex

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    Gauteng’s budget offers strategic investment in SMEs

    South African National Parks, in partnership with Sanlam, offers an interest-free loan program at Table Mountain in Cape Town. Photo: Facebook.

    More businesses to benefit from SANParks loan deal

    Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana

    R402 billion budget could open doors for construction SMEs

    Small Business Finance Development Agency has helped an entrepreneur to secure funding to invest in a filling station. Pic: Shell

    Franchise funding for entrepreneurs

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    GEP deputy chairperson Phosane Mngqibisa

    Gauteng increases support for small businesses to access funds

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  • Tourism
    Newly opened Atrium Boutique Hotel in Polokwane

    Atrium Hotel becomes a catalyst for Limpopo tourism

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    G20 could mark a turning point for Mpumalanga’s tourism sector

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    Tourism enterprises call on hackathon to help bridge digital divide

    The Unveiling of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre in the Free State

    Kgodumodumo Centre boosts tourism and empowers SMMEs

    Tourism companies eye opportunities in digital visa surge

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Organic haircare brand for African hair

by Moipone Malefane
October 17, 2024
in Business
Reading Time: 4 mins read
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By Sizakele Nduli

Leaving the comfort of a corporate job to pursue an uncertain dream is not for the faint-hearted. However, for Thembi Chauke from Pretoria, who founded Naturally Thembi in 2021, it was a leap worth taking. “The uncertainty of moving from a monthly income with benefits to the unknown is an unsettling feeling. In my case it was really challenging because it took close to a year before the business could sustain itself, however, my faith was greater than my fear,” she said. Her haircare brand has now grown into a thriving business. Chauke offers high-quality, homemade haircare products made from pure organic ingredients, catering to curly, relaxed, and dreadlocked hair.

She also educates customers on how to care for their unique hair textures. “Most people who use our products daily notice a difference within three to six months, and this is the result of thorough research and the quality ingredients we use. We continuously conduct research to keep improving our products,” Chauke explained. Her product line includes four key items: a deep conditioner and leave-in conditioner, each priced at R150, a hair growth oil for R160, and a moisturising shampoo for R80. Customers can also choose the complete set for R500, which includes free delivery, while an R60 delivery fee applies to individual items.

Chauke mentioned that although her products did not specifically target children, they were suitable for children who were two years and older. “Despite being homemade, we observe SAHPRA (SA Health Products Regulatory Authority) requirements to ensure the safety of our clients. “We also conduct market testing in a safe manner before launching new products and our retail partners ensure the products meet minimum requirements before placing them on shelves,” she said. Prior to leaving her job as a labour relation and HR specialist, Chauke implemented strategies to set her brand up for success.

She created an online store, developed product labelling and established partnerships with courier services and suppliers. Her presence in content creation also helped her attract clients early on. Her brand reached even more customers after securing spots on platforms like Takealot and Edenvinne stores. “Each platform has a supplier application process, and we followed the same extensive process. Having done most of the work on our products and brand beforehand helped make the process smoother,” Chauke shared.

The 33-year-old entrepreneur revealed to Vutivi News that she used all her provident funds to invest in production, though she admitted the amount was not substantial. “For the most part of last year, I couldn’t earn a salary, and as you can imagine, things were hard financially. However, things are different now,” she said. Currently, Chauke runs her business from home and employs three staff members on an as-needed basis. She also outsources some services, including accounting, to streamline operations. “The only holdup is space for storage. That’s the leap of faith I need to take, find bigger space to allow the business to grow and employ people on a full-time basis, so we can continue fulfilling orders speedily,” she said.

Chauke encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to take risks, emphasising that failure is temporary and that trying is essential for growth. “You owe it to yourself and the next generation to try. If you don’t try, you’ll never know. Failing is not permanent – if things don’t work out, you can always go back to employment, satisfied that you tried. That’s what I keep telling myself.” For more information or to purchase her products, visit: https://naturallythembz.com.

Tags: Naturally ThembzThembi Chauke
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