Babalwa says the idea was to create employment for herself she had no idea the business would expand in such a short period of time.
After being an unemployed graduate for four years, Babalwa Madikizela started her own brand called La-Babes, the name is derived from her name “Babalwa”. Babalwa holds a Degree in Social work and a Postgraduate certificate in Education, she says after staying at home for four years, she discovered a place via Facebook that trains people to create perfumes and body lotions.
“La-Babes started operating around May 2021 and the official launch took place on the 14th of October 2021 at Ferguson Park Bizana. Babalwa Madikizela says, the launch was meant to officially introduce the People of Bizana to La-Babes, introducing quality fragrances at an affordable price in order for people to have the same experience as those using more expensive brands.
She added that, the brand is also looking at helping unemployed graduates, by empowering them to start their own businesses or brands because the rate of unemployment is very high. The government does not seem to be addressing the issue with the urgency it requires. She encourages people to start with what they have as she started with only 30 bottles of perfumes but now she can produce over 200 bottles.
“Ideas indicate possibilities the minute you think about it, that means it is possible, start with the small ideas where you are and what you have”
Babalwa Madikizela says young graduates must have plan B on how they are going to sustain their lives after obtaining the qualification if the qualification fails them and business seems to be the only way out.
Babalwa Madikizela says she has received great support from people like teachers, nurses and local street venders and they recommend the fragrances to other people and she gains more clients through these recommendations. “Basically the business started by me creating employment for myself, I did not even think I would be able to employ 14 people now” she says individuals can start at LA-Babes and grow to start their own brands and believes a candle loses nothing by lighting the other.
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