Slow and steady wins it for Ms Jay Beauty Care
Judith Josephs’ remarkable rise and success in the beauty parlour industry was not achieved overnight. She asserts that hard work and taking baby steps has lead to the good market traction she enjoys today. Josephs is the founder and corporate leader of Ms Jay Beauty Care, a wellness enhancement centre that specialises in cosmetics and wellness.
The spark to her passion began in her adolescent years when she struggled with acne and facial problems. She recalls trying out a wide range of products to try and remedy her skin problem, all to no avail.
“Having suffered with acne as a child, I made up my mind to constantly search for solutions that will make the next generation skin problems free,” Josephs said.
Her journey before opening a shop, which has all the bells and whistles, located in Re Mmogo Crossing Mall, began with her importing beauty products from South Africa. This importing method proved to be problematic for her because she was not in charge of the price of the beauty products she wanted to sell.
“When you sell a product that you have not made, you are not in charge of the price.
“I had to look beyond importing and look towards the Asian market seeking for development partners with skills and reputation in making custom made facial products,” she said.
Currently Josephs has improved her value chain network through working with suppliers in Asian markets and they are key in making customer-tailored products, which are the end product of skin care research.
“Our products are not a one size fits all type,” she stressed. “We have studied local skin issues like pigmentation and have engaged researchers to make health care products that deal specifically with the problems common to our local people given our conditions.” Speaking on future prospects, Ms Jay seeks to grow its business model to include franchising. This proves their willingness and tenacity to dominate and grow the business, extending it to all regions in Botswana. “We want to franchise so that we gain as much market traction as we can, but the bigger picture is to try and create as many jobs as we can.
“This will allow us to be part of solving the unemployment crisis that this country faces.”
Josephs implores all young people in the country to tap into their creativity and chase their dreams with all they can as this is the only way of creating a self-sustaining and rich Botswana.