Chick Cosmetics
Nomfundo Njibe
START-UP COSTS: 'My start-up costs were between R150000 and R250 000. The expenses included company registration, building a website, production, shipping, Wi-Fi, graphic design and marketing.'
TURNOVER: 'We started out with only two employees and have since grown enough to employ seven part-time employees. We are in the process of expanding our product range and securing more distribution channels, which will enable us to employ more people."
During a trip abroad in 2017, Nomfundo lost a bag containing her beauty products. While shopping for new essentials, she was struck by the vast selection of affordable beauty products by independent brands. It was the inspiration for Chick Cosmetics.
How did you turn your vision for your business into a reality?
I started Chick Cosmetics in my one-bedroom apartment when I had just relocated to Joburg. As the brand grew, I moved into a house, where I used the garage as storage. We've since moved to a warehouse.
Beyond the basics, such as registering the company, the early stages were all about coming up with a strategy. That was crucial. I spent some time selecting the perfect name too... and our branding had to complement the name so it would be easy to position in the market.
Was being an entrepreneur always your plan?
I'd always envisioned myself as my own boss, but I was never in a rush to start a business. I had to be sure it was something I was passionate about and that it was authentic. I used to work for a gaming company as a training and skills development facilitator, but after that experience overseas, I knew this was the business I wanted to get into.
The beauty business is a tough one to break into. How did consumers react to your brand?
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