Thabelo Phidza decided to launch his skincare product in 2020, Glowing Queens Cosmetics, instead of pursing his legal career. Picture: Supplied
Thabelo Phidza’s struggle of finding a product that catered for his dry skin inspired him to start Glowing Queens Cosmetics skincare in 2020.
“Glowing Queens Cosmetics came about from a personal struggle, experiencing dull and dry skin from childhood. My skin was super dry, and I could not find a product that matched my struggle. I would apply lotion and it would still get dry and dull,” he said.
The entrepreneurship bug bit Phidza when he founded the skincare product during his varsity days. The LLB graduate did not go into the legal stream as he did not want to spend wasted years in job hunting.
“I founded the brand because I did not want to waste my time doing nothing. I always knew I am going to be an entrepreneur, but an educated one because I value education,” said Phidza.
Phidza had received compliments about his fair skin shortly after applying the product’s sample.
“I searched for a solution and began applying it, which I was very happy with the outcome. People around me, and even when I went to the mall, started commenting about my skin saying it's 'even skinned toned', and looks healthy.
“I saw a business opportunity, and started giving out samples to family, friends and strangers to try them out. The feedbacks were absolutely amazing and that really boosted my strength to go head with the business,” said Phidza.
As a self-funded entrepreneur, Phidza struggled to source funding from organisations that aid young South African small business owners during peak Covid-19.
Phidza used the remaining money from his school fees to launch the business.
“The main challenges I faced was finance-related matters, because I started with the little that I had. I started very small based on the small budget that I had. So, I had to balance things and make it work.
“I also tried applying for funds from organisations with no luck. The whole Covid-19 period things were not moving as normal, which I kind of lost hope,” he said.
The pandemic also infringed on product movement, which affected the business’ sales. However, Phidza’s discipline enabled him to reinvest the little profit he made into Glowing Queens Cosmetics.
“I have been working for a brand for free because the aim was not to benefit from it immediately, but to make it grow with the income it was making until it starts to pick up,” said Phidza.
Phidza said Glowing Queens Cosmetics is targeted towards South Africa’s working class as it is sold online.
“I thought it would be best to sell with Takealot because it's quicker and convenient to anyone anywhere in the country. I applied with Takealot, where they were happy with what I had. They gave me an opportunity to sell with them, and ever since then, our business relationship has been good,” he said.
Phidza’s dream is to see his business take off to greater heights, where it will create jobs for the unemployed in the next five years.
Glowing Queens Cosmetics is available on Takealot for purchasing.
The Star
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