Runako Naturals
What does your company do?
RUNAKO, a Shona name meaning beauty, perfectly reflects our mission to empower people of colour to embrace their confidence and proudly showcase their individuality. By including "NATURALS" in our name, we emphasize our dedication to using nature’s goodness in our hair and beard products, ensuring they are gentle and beneficial. Our formulas feature a diverse range of botanical herbs, carefully selected for their outstanding properties. Each product is meticulously handmade with ingredients that promote healthier hair. We are committed to ethical sourcing, and purchasing all our ingredients from reputable South African suppliers who specialize in natural, non-toxic, and non-harmful materials. Our main focus is on promoting healthy hair and a healthy scalp.
What is your biggest success?
One of our biggest successes has been teaching high school students in Kagiso how to formulate cosmetic products. Through hands-on workshops and classes, I've had the opportunity to empower these students with valuable skills in cosmetic formulation. This initiative not only fosters their creativity and critical thinking but also opens doors to potential career opportunities in the beauty industry. Moreover, it's been incredibly rewarding to see how this experience instills confidence and self-reliance in the students, preparing them for future endeavors.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
Our biggest hurdle has been securing bookings at shopping malls as a small business. The high costs and challenges posed by mall management make it difficult for us to showcase our products in these prime locations. Despite these obstacles, we remain determined to find alternative avenues to reach our target audience and grow our business.
