These days, there is growing interest in the use of natural products for health, wellness and beauty in Africa, and a growing audience to learn more about trends and products in the marketplace. Hairpolitan Lifestyle is an online magazine, created by Kenyan entrepreneur Wambui JL, and aimed at sharing stories about people who are celebrating and living natural lifestyles.
LoA chatted to Wambui JL this month to find out more about this growing trend and her new business venture.
What does your company do?
Hairpolitan Lifestyle curates stories of women and men who are living the natural lifestyle. That is growing their natural hair, using natural products for their hair and skin, eating organic/natural foods, and seeking other methods of wellness for their overall wellbeing.
"I created Hairpolitan to tell authentic stories about regular people who were impacting our society through natural living."
What inspired you to start your company?
I had been in the natural hair movement from the onset around 2012, and through the various platforms and events, I met people who were doing great things. But I noticed that our mainstream media was not telling the stories of these awesome people. So I created Hairpolitan to tell authentic stories about regular people who were impacting our society through natural living.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
People should read Hairpolitan Lifestyle because we share relatable stories of regular human beings. Our weekly web articles share tips, tricks and advice on living the natural life. And our online magazines share stories of women and men in the natural lifestyle space who are doing great things. It's very inspiring.
"People should read Hairpolitan Lifestyle because we share relatable stories of regular human beings."
Tell us a little about your team
My team is mostly made up of myself and consultant writers, designers, make up artists and photographers.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I am a child of a female entrepreneur, so sometimes I think that I had no choice but to get into entrepreneurship. I quit employment 6 years ago when my firstborn joined us. Since then I did a few Graphic Design jobs (that's my profession) but in 2016 after joining a creative leadership program, I asked myself how I could employ myself in every capacity and talent that I had. The idea of a magazine made sense because it required laying out (Graphic Design), managing a team of creatives, writing (I've blogged since 2005), editing, interviewing (I love talking to people) and social media. I have been working for Hairpolitan since 2016 when we launched and it's been a very enjoyable experience utilizing all my creative faculties.
"I'd like Hairpolitan to be a printed publication in 2018 and, in years to come, for the idea to franchise across Africa."
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
I'd like Hairpolitan to be a printed publication in 2018 and, in years to come, for the idea to franchise across Africa.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
When someone approaches me to tell me that they follow my work and that it's impacted their lives greatly.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Just start with what you have. The rest will come your way.
Contact or follow Hairpolitan Lifestyle
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL talktous@hairpolitan.com
Why LoA loves it….
They say that the secret to successful entrepreneurship is finding your niche in business and that is something Wambui JL has managed to achieve with her new lifestyle publishing business, Hairpolitan. She is addressing the need for quality and highly relatable published content on all things natural living, reflecting a growing on-trend topic. She is building her community readership by tapping into topics that are of interest and where little quality content exists in the marketplace. Watch out for Hairpolitan growing in stature and audience over the coming months. --- Melanie Hawken, founder and editor-in-chief of Lionesses of Africa