SA Women Making Big Moves in Health & Beauty
Women are doing big things in the health and beauty industries! Globally, the health and beauty industries are, in many ways, leading the equality charge, particularly when it comes to women-owned-and-run businesses. Of course, it also helps to have a few badass female role models to look up to, so we’ve rounded up a few local industry leaders that are doing big things in the health and beauty spaces.
Kerri-Lee Taylor: Owner of Kiko Vitals
Kerri-Lee Taylor is the wonder woman behind Kiko Vitals, a business rooted in women’s wellness. The ingredients used to make Kiko Vital’s products come with integrity from the earth — designed to be curative and preventative: These feminine wellness supplements harness the healing powers used for centuries by women and continue to be relevant to this day for the modern woman. Kiko Vitals are locally manufactured in one of South Africa’s leading laboratories and scientifically formulated by a highly-qualified team of molecular biologists, biotechnologists and engineers, with valuable assistance from natural healers.
Kerri-Lee has discovered her path by keeping her heart and eyes open, resulting in the success of Kiko Vitals. From emerging out of a plight of depression, her journey of self-improvement led her to develop business skills and build her business out of nothing — always staying humble and always showing up.
Kerri advises those wanting to start a business to ensure they have solid proof of concept, a sustainable strategy, and never to give up. She reminds us of the 10 thousand hour rule: You will only master your field after 10 thousand hours of what you put in. Kerri says to be obsessively passionate, keep learning, and tap into the knowledge of the many mentors around us.
Boitumelo Sebambo: CEO of 3Sixty Biomedicine
Boitumelo Sebambo is the new CEO of South African pharmaceutical company, 3Sixty Biomedicine. Apart from continuing the legacy of positioning the business as experts in herbal based and natural medicinal products, this accomplished businesswoman also has aspirations to put African traditional medicine on the global map.
Sebambo has risen through the ranks, having first joined 3Sixty Global Solutions in 2019 when it was still known as 3Sixty Financial Solutions. During her three-year journey, she has seen the company transform from a purely financial group into the powerhouse that it is today; a company that is committed to creating global solutions across the spectrum, all the way from financial services to biotechnology.
Dr Xandra van Heerden: General Manager, Skin Rejuvenation Technologies (SRT)
It’s not often that a renowned biotechnology company is steered by a woman, let alone a young woman! At just 32 years old, Xandra is a true inspiration. Heading up Skin Rejuvenation Technologies (SRT), the company behind the Optiphi skincare brand, her résumé rivals that of professionals twice her age. She has a PhD in Chemical Engineering, she is a former part-time senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria, and an R&D engineer. Xandra’s duties include managing the teams at SRT to ensure all processes run smoothly. Involved in all the various departments within the company, her scientific background and problem-solving abilities have given her the unique skill set she needs to lead the team.
Always up for a challenge, Xandra has embraced this opportunity and has, in a rather short time, already had a major positive impact on SRT. A dynamic team player with a wealth of knowledge, her ability to lead the team with forward and innovative thinking makes her invaluable (and in an industry that is ever-evolving, also critical!). Her impressive contributions to her industry and SRT have cemented a very bright future.
Boasting incredible female leadership, the team at SRT consists of more than 80% women, many of whom are in senior and managerial positions. Part of the Southern Group of Companies (a group of highly-advanced biotechnology companies), Skin Rejuvenation Technologies utilises the research and technology held by their sister companies to develop advanced formulations for their flagship product, Optiphi cosmeceutical skincare.
Lecia Durham: Founder of Litchi & Titch
Lecia Durham, creator and founder of Litchi & Titch is a perfect example of a leading lady in the beauty and skincare sector. She is a ‘Jill-of-all-Trades’, with a long and interesting career, historically focusing on product formulation and marketing and involved in product buying, as well as owning a beauty salon. She is a force, and a talented one at that.
Lecia draws on nature and her surroundings as base inspiration for her product ranges. She has a passion for natural health and beauty, both within her personal capacity as well as the company’s values — which lean towards the environment and caring for its health. Litchi & Titch is a testament to this passion, with the range designed with the planet in mind.
To this day Lecia remains as hands-on as she was at its conception, and the driving force behind the success of Litchi & Titch. She gives women entrepreneurs some advice when starting out: “Things seldom work out the way you planned and you need far more money to get started than you think”. Litchi & Titch is not just beauty, for beauty’s sake, it is a company run by women, for women — and their goal is to empower women with natural skin care and an alignment of values when choosing a product.
Khilona Natha: Geneticist, Optiphi
Holding a Master’s degree in Forensic Genetics, Khilona works on the genetics aspect of Optiphi’s Helix Tests, which offer advanced DNA analysis, allowing consumers to understand their genetic predisposition and make healthy lifestyle choices based on those results. Her work involves researching and analysing genetic risks and tying these findings into product offerings.
Suzanne Snowdowne: Cape Island and Heritage
The inspiration and creative concept behind Cape Island and Heritage was borne from Suzanne Snowdowne’s desire to capture the natural beauty of Africa and celebrate it in people’s homes. According to Snowdowne; “Cape Island was founded from an earnest desire to empower and employ dynamic women within South African. The fragrance collection was developed to speak to the beauty of the South African people and its breathtaking landscape.”
“All our products are designed locally and made on African soil,” explains Snowdowne. What’s more, the products are designed to have a longer lease on life. “Many of our products have been designed with re-use in mind,” says Snowdowne. “Our range of refills for soaps, lotions and fragrance diffusers for example support product longevity in a disposable era.”
When asked what advice she has for women starting in their business career, Snowdowne advises that a “business built on a clear vision, respectful relationships and positive impact in your local community is worth fighting for. Be sure to form a support network that keeps you accountable to this vision.”
This Women’s Month, Cape Island will expand their commitment to Giving Back through its entire African Storm collection. Your purchase of any African Storm product will support local non-profits, Hope Risen and S-Cape — dedicated to bringing restoration to victims of human trafficking.