The haircare business globally is big business, and in Africa, the market for high quality, home-grown brands that know exactly how to cater to the specific haircare needs of African women is exploding. In Lesotho, entrepreneur Hape Marite Mphale has created the Blackhair brand, a popular and rapidly growing natural hair care brand and range of products.
LoA showcased founder, Hape Marite Mphale, and her wonderful Blackhair brand, at a recent Lioness Lean In event in Lesotho to find out more.
What does your company do?
We manufacture natural hair care products for people of colour. We also provide hair consultations to help our clients to understand their hair types and how they should be managed and taken care of. We promote a healthy lifestyle that encourages healthy hair growth. We encourage being comfortable and confident in one's natural ethnic state.
“We promote a healthy lifestyle that encourages healthy hair growth. We encourage being comfortable and confident in one's natural ethnic state.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I used to have hair problems that were caused by the use of hair relaxers, and my hair started falling out and my scalp was irritated. I did the 'big chop', I got a clean cut and during this period I started researching into what our hair needs (type 4 ethnic hair). From my research, I got into food-based ingredients that aid hair growth and repair. I would raid my mom's kitchen just to use her food on my hair. As my hair started growing, I put up a post on my social media looking for a hair twin (someone with hair texture like mine) who would be interested in sharing their hair journey with me. The response from that post was from about 60 people, so I created a WhatsApp group instead where we could share tips and tricks. During a few conversations in the group, I was able to Identify the gap in the market. That was when I had my ‘aha’ moment. My hobby and obsession with hair became a business. The ladies in the group were my first clients. They are still with me today through their hair journey.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Our products are made with rich ingredients that are mild and gentle to both hair and skin, most of them on the line are dual purpose products, that is they are good for the hair and face. Also, we do not just shove our products into our client’s hands, we figure out their individual needs through our consultation service, because hair is not a ‘one size fits all’ solution.
“Our products are made with rich ingredients that are mild and gentle to both hair and skin, most of them on the line are dual purpose products, that is they are good for the hair and face.”
Tell us a little about your team
We are a family-based company made up of my mother, spouse and myself in management. We have a female sales representative at our stall at the mall and two casual female workers who make up the production team. I take care of the operations, including sourcing of ingredients and payments and financials, and marketing. My mother takes care of the staffing and oversees the production process. My husband oversees the sales and distribution channels.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My parents have been very strict about money and required me to always justify what I needed the money for, because all things that I could possibly need they provided. I am not from an entrepreneurial background but my parents have always supported my ideas so that gave me confidence. I have always had the knack for entrepreneurship and acquisition of residual income. I started my first business at the age of 13 selling sandwiches for the early morning rush in office complexes during school holidays. I have also dabbled in the transportation industry. I provide healthy hair care products and consultations. I have been a beauty column contributor for Finite magazine since 2017 providing advice on healthy hair care. I aspire to have a fully functional and automated production line. I am currently working on opening a specialist salon that carters for the natural hair community, it is 70% complete and I cannot wait to launch it. I used to have a private swimming school for women and children, but this is on hold till I figure out a few logistics. I have recently co-founded an advertising agency which is growing at an interesting rate.
“My future plans and aspirations for the company are to expand my distribution outside Lesotho on a significantly larger scale than the current, and to open and expand our salon and consultation services.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
To expand my distribution outside Lesotho on a significantly larger scale than the current. To open and expand our salon and consultation services. To extend the product line. We are currently working on a few products to add to the range.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The journey of breathing life into a thought or an idea, watching it come to life, ticking off the milestones in the business plan. And positively impacting lives and seeing the glow of satisfied customers.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Start where you can, do not be afraid to start.
Contact or follow Black Hair
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL hape@blackhair.co.ls
Why LoA loves it….
It is always great to see new and successful brands emerging that specifically cater to the needs of customers in a country or region. What Hape Marite Mphale and her wonderful Blackhair brand are doing for Lesotho is a great example of such successful brand building. She knows her customers and their hair-care needs and is building a business and brand to cater specifically for that growing customer base. This is a business to watch as Hape now looks to expand its reach and take it into regional markets. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa