Startup Story
Kgomotso Twagirayezu is the founder of Shedol Group, a natural cosmetics manufacturing company founded in 2015 and which commenced its operations in 2018. She has an extensive background not only in the cosmetics industry but also as a businesswoman with broad experience in varied industries. The company is passionate about the use of sustainable indigenous botanicals from across the African continent while paying special attention to Kgomotso’s homeland, Botswana, by continually incorporating and researching the natural plants that are beneficial not only for ingestion but also for healthy skin. She not only caters for individual personal care but also serves the hospitality industry by manufacturing sustainable and eco-friendly hotel amenities. The business has created jobs for 10 people.
LoA spoke to founder, Kgomotso Twagirayezu, about her entrepreneurial journey and her vision for the future of the business.
What does your company do?
We are formulators and manufacturers of fine fragrances, natural skin, and personal care products, using fairly and sustainably sourced African indigenous oils and butters which have long been used by our forefathers for medicinal and skin nourishing purposes. Formed in 2015 and started its operations in 2018 after intensive research and spending time creating cosmetic products and trying them with family and friends, the Shedol team embarked on a journey of creating commercial products to share their crafts with the world.
“Seeing an African cosmetics brand that uses African ingredients in retail shops and the story behind it makes me sleep peacefully and encourages me to never stop.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Inspired by curiosity and backed by indigenous knowledge while scientifically proven and tapping into the value chain of our natural resources.
Curiosity: how are things done/made, coming from a country with few manufacturing companies, it has always been a question of how we get to have a product like a body lotion, body wash, perfume, etc.
Indigenous knowledge: our forefathers had great skin and lived a much healthier life and had longer life spans. So, what unique product/food/activity were they using or doing? Can we take whatever they were using and scientifically back it up? If so Shedol is more than happy to work with the rural community to package that knowledge and share it with the world.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We pride ourselves with our value chain, we work with the rural communities, which is where we find most of natural and authentic plants and indigenous knowledge. Learning and understanding their way of life and working with them to earn a living using the very same way of life, knowledge and natural plants mother earth offers them.
“Our future plans are to have a footprint all over the African continent.”
“We aspire to work with as many African indigenous plants to create sustainable finished products.”
Tell us a little about your team:
Our team is women-led, with 80% of our team members being women. We have women who have been with us from infant stages to date, falling, learning, and soldiering on with us.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Raised by parents who are indirect entrepreneurs, my mother used to sell imported clothes while she was a full-time educator, and my father used to sell ice cream and ice pops at the stadium during soccer matches while full time working. The inspiration truly came from them. I have been selling something (books, sweets, perfumes) while still at secondary school to tertiary for as long as I can remember. With the support of my husband who forever challenges and pushes me to greater heights.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Our future plans are to have a footprint all over the African continent. We aspire to work with as many African indigenous plants to create sustainable finished products.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Seeing an African cosmetics brand that uses African ingredients in retail shops and the story behind it makes me sleep peacefully and encourages me to never stop.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
To all my beautiful women out there, the idea is there. I know you are scared, reluctant, and perhaps a bit confused but you have to start. Start with whatever you have, wherever you are, "Just start" and the knowledge can be polished with time as long as you have started.
Find out more:
Email: kgomotsotwagirayezu@gmail.com
Website: https://shedolcosmetics.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShedolFragrancesAndCosmetics?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShedolCosmetics?t=e4nMf6Go4bWa2XUzRxmlvw&s=09
Instagram: https://instagram.com/shedol_cosmetics_?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Why LoA loves it…
Having a big vision is key to achieving long-term business success, and Kgomotso Twagirayezu is driven by her vision to build a pan-African cosmetics brand that celebrates indigenous ingredients. She is harnessing the traditional knowledge of rural communities in her country to create contemporary, natural cosmetics that everyone can use. Not only that, but she is creating jobs for local people too. A brand to watch in Botswana. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa