'I've Learnt To Be In The Now'

Kalahari skincare founder Carina Franck talks to Stephanie van der Plank about staying true to herself, respecting heritage, and finding her passion

- Carina Franck

Carina Franck, 49, has been in the beauty industry for over 17 years. She bought Nimue Skin Technology in 2001 and, as CEO, helped establish the brand internationally. She then sold the business to a corporate company in 2007. Three years later, she founded the natural beauty range Kalahari, of which she is CEO. The collection encompasses an exclusive selection of skin, body and lifestyle products, made using naturally harvested botanical ingredients. She lives in Woodmead with her husband and their young daughter, Donna.

When I was a young girl, growing up on a farm in the Kalahari, my feet in the red sand, I’d spend hours just drinking in the beauty of the vast landscape and blue skies surrounding me. I never once dreamt that one day I’d take a piece of these natural wonders with me to faraway lands like Norway.

My parents farmed livestock, and my mom was the best cook for miles – coming home to the smell of fresh bread was so comforting. Our farm had vineyards at the front of it and rolling desert dunes at the back. I often explored those dunes, learning plant and animal names from the Khoisan people. I still love nothing more than sitting around a glorious campfire with a glass of red wine in hand, looking up at hundreds of thousands of stars. It’s my happy place.

I went from being a farm girl to working in the world of skincare, studying beauty and wellness, and growing Nimue Skin Technology. I learnt so much about the industry and women’s beauty needs, and also helped cement the Nimue brand internationally, which was an invaluable experience. When the company was sold to a corporate organisation, I felt like it was time for me to strike out on my own.

After Nimue, going back to my roots felt like the most natural thing for me to do.