Female Founder Name: Sinovuyo Mondliwa

Business Name: Love Kinks

Industry: Hair

Instagram Handle: @lovekinks_za

What inspired you to start your business?

The lack of information and products that make natural haircare easy. I was shocked and inspired by how historically undeserved the black hair is, especially black women’s hair.

When did you start?

2016.

Why this specific industry?

I was solving a problem I experienced. This industry chose me through experience.

What obstacles did you face starting up, and how did you overcome them?

I have faced several obstacles. These obstacles usually rear their head when I am trying to achieve something such as putting together a masterclass, selling online or scaling.

When I started my YouTube channel, it took me over a year to figure out how to optimize the platform. I also had to learn to set up my own website. I am now completing my postgraduate diploma in marketing management to fully grasp how to market my products and what my story really is. Business is not as intuitive as Instagram, so one must upskill at a rapid pace. Creating a product, marketing it and getting it to the customer is no small feat.

What I love about myself is that I am an implementer, so I always look for a solution. I am also currently doing a program with Mckinsey that helps me better manage my company on a mental and emotional level. My biggest obstacle has been the mental and emotional level of operations such as resilience, adaptability, communication, problem solving and so much more.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since starting your business?

Slow down. You have time.

Why work for yourself when there’s stability in working for others?

I worked in corporate for five years and the allure of stability was not as strong as the need to serve my community. Monetizing this opportunity has also been extremely challenging which my five years in corporate lacked. I was bored amongst other things.

What is the one characteristic that you possess that has helped make you so successful?

I am very talkative and inquisitive.

What’s your guiding business philosophy?

I am in the process of developing my business philosophy. My business has been carried by my personal philosophy, which is staying true and honest.

At what moment did this venture become real for you?

It became real to me when I left my 9-5. It took me a while to swallow that reality. My whole varsity and young adult life (10 years altogether) was centered around building Sinovuyo the town planner, and I have now created a completely different person.

What is the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?

Loneliness. You are your everything. Your own boss, colleague, and any other kind of support you can think of.

What makes it all worth it?

Starting something and seeing it through for 50+ years. That gives me purpose. I am not a piece of the puzzle, but I am building the whole puzzle as well as creating all the pieces.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out?

I would say, do research. Study and use credible information bases, such as scholarly articles because no one person can know it all and too many mistakes are made through baseless trial and error. A basic business plan really helps.

How do you define success?

For me, success is constant growth. Learning, failing, and doing.

What did you do differently from the rest of us?

I don’t think there is something distinct that I have done differently. I am just really myself.

What do you believe is the female founder effect?

I can’t seem to find a definition, suitable in this context, for this term. I’ll break it down according to how I understand it.

I believe that female founders were either not celebrated or encouraged, therefore, we do not know a world of exceptional female founders such as Elon Musk, Bill Gates etc. When black women see other black female founders, it really encourages them to do well. I recently learned about Madam CJ Walker through Netflix and that has been a game-changer for my thinking, knowing that such extraordinary female founders exist (even though I do have a major issue with her stealing a natural hair product formula or something like that) is important for the growth of other female founders.

What do you believe is the most impactful and immediate action society needs to move closer to Generation Equality goals?

I think it is respecting women. Women are not heard or acknowledged in many areas, and it has been a major obstacle for me in corporate which also motivated me to create my own “thing.”

Which woman has positively impacted you in your career/business? And what is the one lesson she taught you?

Nyaki, owner of Natural Hair Company, she has taught me that anything is doable, and she has a doing spirit which I do not. I am an implementer and sometimes when I don’t know how, I get stuck. She knows how to find the “how.”

What is your superpower?

Being comfortable in being me.

What centres you?

Honesty and realness.

What is your next adventure?

Scaling my business. Haha. Wish me luck.