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Welcome to the first entry of One Overshare. In this monthly series, we will be profiling women who have made strides in their industries of expertise. But before we get to their story, we ask them one seemingly random question, and they answer it.
One Overshare with Lienne Shonhiwa Marwizi, the founder of Manetain Organics.
Y&O: What is one thing you never really wrapped your head around?
Lienne: Racism, it has and will never make sense to me why someone can hate or think less of you because of the colour of your skin.
Add morning people to the list. How are you so happy in the morning? Don't you need time to defrost?
"Many people don't start because they do not want to be seen starting from the bottom. Don't be like most people. And when you [do] get the courage to start, don't stop till you are proud," says Lienne.
Ego is both a good and bad thing! Sometimes, it gets in the way of us just doing. Unfortunately, the only way to get success is to start. Start with what you have, where you are, and with the 'little' knowledge you possess. Practice makes progress, and that is the case with Lienne's story.
In 2017, Lienne launched Manetain Organics following being retrenched from her 9-5 job. Her inspiration stemmed from frustration. As one who carries a mane, she struggled to find affordable products to maintain it.
The truth is that, in most cases, supermarket shelves are filled with products that cater to caucasian hair or are not all that great for the different types of African hair. I remember a time when it was hard to find hair dye that worked for African hair. All the brands on the shelves and on TV ads had white women on them. There was no representation. It is refreshing to see women like Lienne building something we can call our own, that has our faces and represents the different types of African hair.
She created her formulas and consciously shopped for her ingredients locally. What she could not find, she imported from neighbouring African countries. From her kitchen, Lienne created a hair care range found in hundreds if not thousands of African beauty routines today.
Her story paints the power of determination and social media. When I think of her growth, I see the value in starting something and not stopping until it takes off. Unlike today, where she has an online store and the cutest shop, she was taking orders on social media. Word about her products spread quickly, and she was also doing a lot of customer listening, improving where she could.
Two years later, she applied for the CBZ YEP Awards. With over 200 applicants, she made it to the top 10, qualifying her to attend the awards ceremony. Little did she know that she would be walking away a winner. Lienne scooped the Established Business Award.
In response to receiving this award, Lienne says, "When you operate in an environment like ours, it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Most times, you are battling with yourself on whether to throw in the towel or not. So to be recognized at a time like this was so big for me because it showed that I'm on the right path, and I should keep going."
In a season where the Zimbabwean economy was tanking, COVID had brought forward restrictions, Lienne adjusted where she could. During the lockdown, she introduced deliveries to keep her customers stocked up with their favourite shampoos, hair butter, oils and conditioners.
At the time, Manetain Organics boasted 20 products and sold 150-200 units per month. I imagine today, the numbers are way higher than that.
"Ending the year with the biggest news of our existence!"
Nothing brings joy to entrepreneurs more than seeing their products on shelves in big stores or markets. At the end of 2020, Manetain Organics announced that their products were now in PicknPay stores countrywide.
As if the universe was saying to her, this is just the beginning, in 2021, Manetain Organics made it to the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair, an exhibition that promotes trade and investment through innovation. 2022 saw their products taking up space in Trinity Pharmacy Cosmetics, Kenlink Pharmacy, Dis-Pharm Pharmacy, and HoneyDew Pharmacy. Then Zambia called their name, and off they went to stock up on Natural Kurls shelves.
There is beauty in watching something bloom right in front of you. As I read articles that told Lienne's story, her intentionality stood out. She not only created products for black hair, but she also empowered black women by buying her ingredients from them.
In 2023, Manetain Organics won the Manufacturing Award at the Women in Enterprise Conference and Awards (WECA).
In an interview, Lienne says, "It's an honour to receive an award in such a highly esteemed and competitive category. Our vision is to become one of the leading manufacturers of natural hair products, not only in Zimbabwe, but in the region, and this award serves as recognition of our work towards that."
By the time 2023 came to a close, Manetain Organics products were gracing the shelves of Umoyo Natural Health in Zambia and BeautyonTApp in South Africa.
I am excited to see what comes next for Lienne and her brand. Could it be reaching all ends of the continent or going worldwide? Whichever one it is, I know it will leave our hearts warm.
Remember to start at the bottom. And when you do, don't stop until you are proud!
To winning and oversharing our success! *clink clink*
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Thanks for this article. I’m ecstatic to see more products for our hair on the store shelves!!