Deodorant production is an uncommon business in the Black communities in South Africa, particularly among the youth but that backdrop has not deterred Candice Manamela from creating her own brand.
The 23 years old from Tibanefontein in Ga-Matlala outside Polokwane is currently an Environmental and Resource Studies student at the University of Limpopo and she manufactures the Fragrance from her residence at the campus.
Candice’s passion for this business came because of being one of the distributors of one deodorant product for a year and she grew fond of the industry. That’s when she decided to start producing her own cologne and named it Trio Fragrances in 2021 “The name is inspired by the fact that we are three at home and this is an empire I am building not only for myself but for my siblings as well” she said.
Manamela scooped a Next Level Pitching award from Vodacom in 2022 which were held at her campus and her entrepreneurial skills went on to win her the number-one spot on how best to look for funders. She currently has five distributors of her own and the feedback she receives from her customers is what helps her keep the momentum going.
However, just like any other business, hers is also not immune to challenges. She cited chemicals as hazardous for her health since she manufactures her fragrances in the room where she sleeps and studies. “At times demand becomes higher than supply and find that the people from whom I get the material are out of stock. For instance, my supplier would run out of bottles, I am then forced to look for other bottles elsewhere", said Candice.
She aspires to have a laboratory where she will produce her colognes without putting her health at risk as well as owning her physical stores where customers would buy the product.” I would also love to have more distributors and see my product at the shelves at retail stores”, she said.
Find Candice on her Facebook page Trio Fragrances or on her cell: 064 885 0214.
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