We asked, they answered. Get to know Own It Cosmetics, manufacturers of natural and vegan friendly color cosmetic range.
Read more to get to know the brand better:
- Tell us more about yourself…
We are 2 sisters who started out with this brand. My name is Zanthé Burger and I live in Lambertsbay, West Coast. My sister is Menique Moolman and she lives in Paarl, WC. She is also the one who formulates every product and I do the marketing and sales.
- Why did you decide to start your own business?
My sister Menique actually came up with the idea and then she discussed it with me, and we changed it up a bit according to market research and what could work here in SA.
- When and how did your business start?
After extensive marketing research and knowing we can make it work in SA, we started looking for suppliers and then we registered our company and name in July/Aug 2020.
- What services or products do you offer?
We manufacture our own natural and vegan friendly color cosmetic range.
- How do you set your business apart from others in your industry?
Our products are made in SA, we do not import them. They are 100% natural, paraben free, cruelty free and vegan friendly products.
- How does your business look different now vs. when you first started?
We have a lot more products in our range now. When we started, we only had 12 foundation shades to choose from. We now have 30.
- What strategies did you first use to market your business?
We started out with a social media platform and created a hype with influencers who tried our products and posted about their experience.
- What is the hardest part of being an entrepreneur?
Thinking out of the box. Being responsible for your own income to build a brand. Competing in an ever-changing market and economy.
- What is your favourite part of being an entrepreneur?
Watching your own ideas come to life. Taking your own risks. The freedom of making your own choices.
- What qualities do you think every entrepreneur should possess?
Being fearless, Confidence, DRIVE.
- What have been some of your biggest learning experiences in running a business?
To not give up even when you don’t see an outcome. Never lie down or go quiet. Keep on going!! Because your biggest breakthrough could just be around the corner.
- What do you wish you could have done differently?
So many ifs… but without them we wouldn’t have learned to grow and be better. So, I don’t think we would do it any differently.
- What do you look for when outsourcing or hiring?
In this regard it would be when we outsource to Stockists who are looking at selling our brand in their salon/shop … Then we look for people/businesses with the same vision and excitement that we have for our brand. We are looking for the same drive to create awareness about what we stand for as a brand and what our products can do for your clientele.
- What will you never compromise on with your business?
Our values, as a business, a brand, as the faces of Own It Cosmetics and our products. We will always give our best in our products and that means never changing what our formula stands for – 100% natural.
- How did you raise funding or financially prepare for your business?
We had personal savings to start off with but had to pitch a business plan to close family who were also able to help with our 1st product launch and packaging. From there on the business survived on its own income.
- How do you plan financially for your business’s future?
We are a 2-woman show and we sell online. So, we save on overhead costs. We are also expanding to more salons keeping our products on shelf and we are busy with our application to sell on Takealot soon.
- How do you define success and how long did it take you to find it?
For us success is not only defined in one big moment… for us it’s all the small victories and taking the moment in. Realising where you started and where you are now. Success does not always have a timeline and you have to find it in those moments of achievement.
- What are you working on now?
We are working on better packaging for our products and changing it up for a more uniformed look. And we are tweaking on a formula but that is still hush-hush so sshhhh.
- Where do you see your business in five years? Ten?
Our goal is to be available in more salons for people to be able to test shades easily and buy directly. We might or might not have the online shop anymore by then, depending on how it goes with Stockists. We have an export license so we want to go abroad so we would then employ more people to help with marketing, selling, and help with the production.
- How have you grown personally from becoming an entrepreneur?
Learned more patience. To toughen-up when you feel defeated. To be more open to change and embracing it. As business partners and sisters, we also had to learn to differentiate between the 2 roles.
- What inspires and motivates you?
The amazing feedback from customers. We have amazing clients who have become part of the O.I.C team. They cheer us on and believe in us and it means the world to a small local business like us.
- How do you deal with fear and doubt?
We are both blessed with amazing partners and family who support us. So, we try to not doubt our abilities and where our business is heading, but rather focus on all the positives that have happened and will continue to happen for us. Easier said than done because I am a realist so I see the trouble coming and my sister Menique will shift it around into a positive.
- What are some of your daily habits and routines?
We both love being active and incorporating a healthy lifestyle. It keeps us sane, Lol. Routine wise, we would every morning 1st thing sort out, pack, and send off orders received. If products are short in stock Menique will attend to production while I sort out orders, queries and all admin related. If I cannot attend to my duties, then she will stand in for me. Like I said, 2-woman show so we make it work.
- What advice would you give to someone just starting their own business?
NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAM!! If you can see it in your mind, you can make it work. Just start and do not let anyone make you doubt yourself!!
- What is your life’s motto?
Staying true to ourselves and what we believe in because we have a great thing going!
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