Startup Story
Many people battle acne in their youth and throughout their lives and it can be challenging to find a solution that is both effective and natural. This was a challenge that entrepreneur Didintle Leatile Moreki, founder of Organic Natural Skincare in Botswana, successfully took up in starting her business.
LoA chatted to Didintle Leatile Moreki this month to find out more.
What does your company do?
Organic Natural Skincare manufactures skincare products with the use of indigenous plants found in Botswana and Africa as a whole.
“Our story is a story of beauty, confidence and sisterhood.”
“Our formulations are creatively crafted by us with distinct understanding and deep thought, as compared to laboratory bought formulations.”
What inspired you to start your company?
Organic Natural Skincare was born after l had a persistent skin acne that would not heal. After years of trying what the market offered, at the age of 18 l decided that l might as well try an organic alternative. Unfortunately at that time, the market could not offer this, as a result l decided to opt for what l ate! This revelation simply came out of my need to say: “Beauty should not be harmful or toxic and so long as l can eat it l can use it on my skin!” Years later the vision became clearer, l came to understand that l had low self-confidence due to this skin acne. As a result l knew that whatever l was formulating had to boost the confidence of the African Woman or empower her to be confident in her skin.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Our story is a story of beauty, confidence and sisterhood. Organic Natural Skincare is driven by a young woman who leads three other women (teenage mothers) who have risen to the mark to redefine the status quo. Our formulations are creatively crafted by us with distinct understanding and deep thought, as compared to laboratory bought formulations. Our key suppliers are female farmers, who hold vast and wide knowledge on plants and how best to extract active ingredients. Lastly our name stands for exactly what we believe in, that beauty has to be organic, natural and toxic free.
“Our key suppliers are female farmers, who hold vast and wide knowledge on plants and how best to extract active ingredients.”
Tell us a little about your team
Our core team and production team is made of three women who had the honour of being mothers within their teenage years. Their ability to rise and become has been a story and reminder to us that “Becoming is a journey.” These ladies, with the assistance of our in-house Scientist and Farmers, assist us serve and package Africanism as a skincare range.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Oh my! This has been an interesting journey and still is an interesting journey! My entrepreneurial journey started when l was 10 years old and l would sell watermelons and maize from my parents’ farm. This grew with me when my mother started her poultry farm and even at my tender age, she would send me for negotiations with suppliers and clients. So in a way l was not a newbie when l decided to Birth Organic Natural Skincare. By profession l am an Accountant, currently pursing my certification as a Financial Analyst. For my Under-graduate degree, l had an honour of studying an Entrepreneurial Module in my last year of University. In 2019, l was one of the 50 entrepreneurs chosen from the 500 applicants for the DeBeers Stanford Go to Market Programme.
“Our name stands for exactly what we believe in, that beauty has to be organic, natural and toxic free.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My plan is be a household brand in Africa and soon export to the world. My aspiration for Organic Natural Skincare is to have my own stores and in-house stores.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I believe Organic Natural Skincare's mission is to empower an African Woman. My satisfaction is driven in seeing an African Woman confidently become, either through the use of our products or through her ability to support her family.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Girl, you too can do hard things!
Contact or follow Organic Natural Skincare
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL DLMoreki@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
Many women entrepreneurs find their inspiration to start a business because they see a challenge that needs a solution. In the case of Didintle Leatile Moreki, that challenge was to find a natural skincare solution for acne, something she is successfully doing through her brand. The lesson to be learned from her story is that through collaboration, the harnessing of traditional and community knowledge, and the power of women working together, you can get things done. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa