By: Nonkcubeko Mkwalo
It is no secret that being a new graduate comes with a lot of challenges and anxiety, when it’s time to grow up and begin searching and applying for a job- that you spent many years of university studying for. Although 24 year-old, Zizo Sikiti also experienced the same issue right after graduating- she managed to put her eggs in different baskets by creating an opportunity for herself and deciding to start her own hair care brand, ‘African Crown Care’.
Sikiti who is based in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), has always been an entrepreneurial type of person as she was raised by her grandmother who is also an entrepreneur. She always believed that with her Chemistry qualification, she’ll one day be able to follow her dream and passion to start her own brand, whether it’s a beauty, skin or hair brand. With this in mind, she started her first business during her final year in university, which tells us that she has always been one to work for herself.
“I have fallen in love with natural hair, and seeing other women struggling to take care of their hair- I decided to come with solutions and use my platforms to educate about our hair. So yes, entrepreneurship has always been with me,” she said.
‘African Crown Care’ was established recently this year, and according to Sikiti, she’s been doing a lot of research to teach herself about African hair care- in order to share that information using her own products. Her love and care for her own natural hair is one of the reasons which inspired and motivated her to start her business, as she also wanted to change the narrative of black women disliking and bashing their natural hair. With this in mind, Sikiti aims at making women feel comfortable and confident in their hair, without doubting their own beauty.
The young entrepreneur’s hair care brand consists of five essential products mandatory for achieving healthy hair. These include shampoo for cleansing the scalp; conditioner to restore the hair back to its healthy state; oil for maintaining its growth; cream to feed and moisturise the hair and a spray to quench the hair as it is very prone to dryness. ‘African Crown Care’ products aren’t for a specific age group, as Sikiti ensures that the ingredients used are hair care friendly to different scalps and hair types.
“My products are hundred percent organic, meaning they are safe for all hair types including kids.” Sikiti said.
Apart from being determined and motivated, Sikiti is a boss lady as she currently runs her business solo. She uses natural ingredients to make her products including aloe vera, shea butter, healing herbs and Jamaican black castor oil. Sikiti’s products are also very convenient, as they all work throughout different seasons- without having to buy different products.
“I don’t just sell products, I sell value. I send my customers routine and hair regimen according to their goals and where they are with their hair journey. It’s health before length,” she said.
‘African Crown Care’ products each cost R99, while she also delivers nationwide for a maximum of three days. If you would like to purchase ‘African Crown Care’ products. Zizo Sikiti can be contacted through WhatsApp on 072 828 2104, and on ‘African Crown Care’ on social media platforms.
