{Reader Feature} I Used My 2019 #52WeekChallenge Savings To Start A Business
Other than first time visitors who can learn about it here, every one of my log readers knows about the #52WeekChallenge. We are in August, week 32 and this week’s update is exciting. Zahra (awowoderia on Twitter) has been updating me about her savings all year, then a few weeks ago she hit me with great news. She broke her M-Shwari bank and used the money to start a business!
Her business Dewy Glo (dewy_glo on Instagram) is an affordable beauty shop with a whole range of skincare and make up products. Before I get to her interview, I want to recommend two must-have items.
The Laneige Lip Sleeping mask is simply sublime. Our predictable Kenyan weather means struggling to keep those lips soft and smooth. This mask is a miracle worker. I had bought one before Zahra opened shop and I’m on the line for the next batch when it comes in, in two weeks. The 20 gram pack goes for KES 2,100 and it will last. This is a perfect gift for the guy or girl in your life. Soft kissable lips are for everyone!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0TgZUbn4Rp/
The Colour Pop Blur Lux lipstick is my second recommendation. I got this exact shade for KES 1,700 and I love it. The colour works, it is buttery, so your lips do not have that dehydrated feeling at the end of the day. Plus it stays on all day long!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0OXHLbHabA/
1. Tell us a bit about your business i.e the service you provide
So I run an online beauty shop on Instagram called Dewy Glo (dewy_glo), where I sell all things beauty at extremely affordable rates. I stock products that I believe in – brands that I use or would recommend. I also advise clients based on their skin what products I think might work for them or not. I am not a professional aesthetician or a dermatologist and I make a note to remind customers that we all react differently to skincare products. I do not treat skin problems, but I can help you get a shade of lipstick that pops, or that overnight mask that will hydrate your skin.
2. Why beauty products?
Beauty is a multibillion industry and I love everything beauty, man you should see how excited I get talking all matters healthy skin! I believe we all deserve great skin! Some people have great genes and do not struggle much with skin issues. Most of us though struggle and our skins need that extra push to glow. All of us though need products to take care of our skins and to keep us looking great.
3. Is this your first business?
Well, it depends. The beauty business is the first where I am fully focused. Besides that, I make bitings and do house decor. I have mostly done this for friends though and have not taken time to convert them to fully-fledged businesses.
4. Why haven’t you?
Plain laziness to be honest 🙂
5. So far, what has been the most rewarding moment for you?
My clients have been very appreciative, and candid with both the positive and negative feedback. I appreciate it because as a young business, I need to be responsive to my client needs, to learn and to improve on service delivery.
6. Which aspect of the business has been most challenging?
Our crazy shipping costs and delays on shipping are a bummer.
7. There are many online beauty stores, what is different about yours?
- Unlike most beauty stores, I do not charge a high margin on top of my purchase and shipping costs.
- I am also very honest with clients. For example, a client ordered two products from two different companies. I had them in stock and could have sold them to her, but I knew that both products did the same work. I explained that she didn’t need both of them and explained why. She was appreciative of this and I believe I won a customer for life.
- I reply to all the questions and requests on the same day they are sent. We are in the age of distractions, I know that if I am not quick to communicate, a client will easily go to another shop.
- I try to be as responsive as possible to client concerns. E.g on Day 3 of being in business, a client expressed concern that my courier fees were high. On the same day afternoon, I had sourced and switched service providers to one that is a third the cost.
- I source all my products directly from the company (and not a retailer), and when making orders, I factor in longer expiry dates.
- I have great interpersonal skills!
8. What role did the #52WeekChallenge play in helping you start your business?
Well I had been tweeting the whole of last year how hard it was to raise capital to start a business and I really didn’t want to get a loan but man I struggled with raising capital for a year lol.
Now come January 2019 I made a resolution to save every coin I got on M-Shwari #52WeekChallenge. I was confident I would save enough so I started doing my research with the help of my good friend @Thunderthighz_ who loves and is passionate about all things beauty.
9. Was this the first time you’d done the #52WeekChallenge?
Last year I tried and failed because times were hard but I didn’t give up. Look at me running a small online business with plans to expand! Baby steps!!
9. Please share your most useful savings tip
I have cut my household groceries expenses by buying bulk goods from Mahitaji in Baba Dogo area. We are a group of 10 ladies and we shop every 4 months. I run a household of 4 people and I spend around 24, 000 shillings every four months ( I know unbelievable right?).
Every coin I get I make sure I put a certain amount on my Mshawri. After breaking bank to start Dewy Glo, I started a new #52WeekChallenge right after. I know saving is hard but we all have to try and remember every coins counts!
