Startup Africa had a very amazing talk with a young female entrepreneur based in Mozambique, Faira Mesquita is very passionate about natural hair and the business of making others love and care about their hair.
Fahari Cosmetics is a Mozambican brand that specializes in homemade hair and skin care products for both women and men, based in Maputo, Mozambique. Founded by Faira Mesquita
Faira, Can you tell us more about yourself and your business?
My name is Faira, I’m 26 years old and I was born in Beira, Mozambique but have been and lived in lots of places. I have seen and experienced different cultures. And through my experiences I realized that there is so much I can do to help my country with business opportunities and providing products that it has a lack of. My passion has always been hair, skin and cosmetics, that same passion for hair and skin helped me find myself. I have been driven and focused on this project of mine which is the brand Fahari Cosmetics. Fahari Cosmetics, is a Mozambican brand that was born in September of 2017. It started off by just selling 100% natural hair treatments. From those sales it was able to expand to natural oils, African Black soap, later on to natural body butters, satin pillowcases and beard oils. The plan is to keep on growing and providing a wider range of natural hair and skin care products, especially here in Mozambique where the products available are from expensive brands and are not natural.
What problem are you solving in Africa, in your country or your community?
Currently, I am mostly helping my country. I am helping with the access to natural products such as oils, butters and soaps for our skin and hair which at this moment is limited in terms of resources and knowledge. For many years people with textured hair, including myself, thought that the proper and correct way to present ourselves was with our hair relaxed and straightened. I am aiming for acceptance, self-love and discovery. Everyone should feel comfortable in their own skin and hair. Fahari aims to provide ways to maintain your natural hair and skin, leaving both looking well treated and with natural scents. My natural hair journey has opened my eyes and helped me realize how important that is.
Do you think this is the right time for your start up to solve the problem?
I think this is the best time for the problem to be solved. Fahari looks for healthier and non damaging ways to take care of ourselves. We should all be interested on what we consume or put in our bodies on a daily basis. It will also help spread the word that your natural hair does not define who you are, textured hair does not mean that you are less worthy. I am looking into making this all possible in Mozambique and other countries as business grows.
Does your solution fit in the market? (Do people want it)?
Yes, my solution does fit into the market. I find clients of all age groups, genres and classes interested in the products we have to offer. What you eat contributes to the well-being of your hair and skin, so knowing what you are adding to your hair and skin is equaly important.
Tell us more about your team, why are you the best to solve this problem?
At the moment it is just me and my partner. My partner is responsible for logistics such as; purchasing packaging, oils and butters, as well as provide transportation for all purchased items, decision making and price allocation for the final product. I deal with the clients, stock control, financing, advertising, designing, selling and the decision-making. But we are looking into a few more people that can help us with running the business, expecially in sales. I went through a phase where my natural hair made it seem like I was not enough, that people with straight hair looked better and had better opportunities. To feel pretty I had to have it straight, never messy or bushy or curly, but always straight. That all changed the day I cut my hair and decided that enough was enough. I started all over and it felt like I could finally be myself. I am here making use of the same products, along with my partner’s aid, to help all that have gone through what I have, others that have gone through worse and try prevent people from going through what I did.
What makes you different in the market?
Fahari believes that the patience and attention it gives to its clients is one of a kind. All cases are different because everyone’s hair and skin is different so no two clients should be treated the same way. Fahari is here to gain trust and not a big audience.
How do you measure your success?
Our success is measured by the response and feedback sent by our clients. We accept both positive and negative feedback for they both will help us grow. The orders and the number of clients sent to us by other clients is also a way in which we measure how well everyone responds to our products.
How innovative is your start-up?
At the Mozambican market, it is very innovative. Fahari Cosmetics does not aim for one specific hair type or skin type or gender. We want to accommodate everyone’s type, making sure that everyone feels involved and thought of.
What is the social impact of your start-up?
Fahari aims to motivate people to grow their hair, beard naturally. It does not just offer products for natural hair, but it is a way of showing acceptance, a way of helping women and men maintain their hair and beard. Allowing them to always be presentable in a natural healthy way. Fahari is mora than just a trend, it is self-acceptance and pride in oneself.
How are you scaling up the start-up?
As of yet, we only have a plan to scale up, which is partnership with resellers, open up an online store and in the future have our own store.
What advice do you have for budding entrepreneurs and new start-ups?
You have made it through the hardest step, which is to actually start. From then on follow your instincts and enjoy the process. The key is to enjoy what you do and it will never be “just another day at the office”.
For more details about Fahari Cosmetics, you can reach them at: +258 82 53 79 380
Or find them on social media.
Facebook: /faharicosmetics
Instagram: @faharicosmetics
