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Tafadzwa Chibukwa, Chronicle Reporter
BEFORE she created Zora Skinpal, Sarudzai Tafirenyika used foreign beauty products for several years, until she had a eureka moment – she didn’t have to use iconic makeup and skincare lines manufactured by strangers in foreign lands – she was able to make her products.
Her lifelong obsession with having flawless skin ultimately paved the way to entrepreneurial success. This is her story.
“I always wanted to start my own company; to manufacture skin care products from natural products, but I did not have the skills. I went and researched how to make the products but all I got were platforms where I would get lessons to do so and no tutorials to follow. That is when I knew that the task I had was tough and required the right amount of dedication.
“After the lessons I got online, I tried to experiment and see if I could make my products, and the experiment was a success. I then started making perfumes and fragrances while still learning to perfect my skills in manufacturing skin care products and lotions,” said Sarudzai.
Sarudzai’s skin care products are made from natural materials. She avoids artificial ingredients as she believes they cause adverse skin reactions and aggravate skin problems.
“I did research before making skin care products, and I found that most ladies are using skin care products which are made from chemicals and reactions which eventually damage their skin in the long run.
“Because ladies are not aware of the dangers that come with artificial products, I took it upon myself to be a peer educator while making the same products from natural ingredients to the benefit of other ladies in society,” said Sarudzai.
In 2018, Sarudzai’s drive resulted in the birth of Covenant Brands, a Bulawayo company that manufactures skin care products and perfume.
“After the growing rate of customers I gained day by day, I felt encouraged to launch Zora Skinpal in 2020 during lockdown where I introduced skin care products. The Zora Skinpal products I made were from natural ingredients like honey, milk, and cocoa butter milk among other natural ingredients,” said Sarudzai.
She revealed that she is always being asked why she chose to enter an industry that is dominated by internationally recognised brands and she always gives the same answer.
“I always tell them that I fell in love with beauty and cosmetics to an extent that I want the world to have a different picture of them. I want people to understand that it is not only cosmetics that make them beautiful but they can keep themselves beautiful just by applying natural products like honey and herbs,” said Sarudzai.
Covenant Brands is growing in leaps and bounds, giving Sarudzai the belief that her products will soon be in demand countrywide.
“I have to give thanks to the invention of social media a lot because it is playing a crucial role in promoting my business. I advertise my products on WhatsApp, Instagram, Twitter and Facebook among other platforms. From the advertisements I make on social media, I am getting massive following and customers coming through after seeing posts,” she said.
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