Passion for skincare more than skin deep
● LovisaLife owner encourages women entrepreneurship and supplies beauty salons and health shops
Gqeberha resident Lisa Voges started her business LovisaLife, which formulates and manufactures organic skincare and lifestyle products, six years ago.
Lisa is passionate about skincare and wanted to turn this passion into a small business.
“When I gifted some LovisaLife samples to friends and potential clients the feedback was phenomenal and LovisaLife literally took off organically.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be in the beauty industry for over 20 years.
“This experience has enabled my exposure into seeing what goes into the various products we use daily, and has truly been an eye-opener for me,” she said.
“Concerningly, the average women is exposed to 370 chemicals each and every day — with this number just comprising our makeup, skincare and household products.”
What is your core service?
I formulate and manufacture organic skincare and natural lifestyle products.
LovisaLife supplies beauty salons and health shops, while we recently launched our LovisaLife family tree.
The family tree encourages female entrepreneurship, so that they can earn extra income while promoting ecofriendly products.
What makes your business unique?
The fact I that I continually research, formulate and manufacture all our products inhouse — it’s all done locally.
LovisaLife is driven by sustainability, thus our moisturisers are different to others in that they are three-in-one.
One needs only one bottle as your day, night and eye treatment.
How did you navigate your business during the pandemic and load-shedding?
The Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns were very challenging as the beauty industry was closed for an extended period of time.
We all quickly learnt the importance of networking and Zoom training sessions and, together with lots of prayers, we managed to get through.
This unprecedented time did, however, draw our clients to our online store.
What about load-shedding? Load-shedding is a challenge on its own. Especially for small businesses.
Luckily for us it doesn’t really affect our manufacturing but the knock off effect it has on our clients and our suppliers affects us.
What are some of the biggest inhibitors your business faced before getting off the ground? I think for any new business owner start-up capital and positive cash flow is always a concern.
Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners?
I truly believe in the saying, “If you love what you do you, it doesn’t feel like work.”
I can certainly relate to this, as I’m normally very excited to get to the office on a Monday morning.
But in saying this, many don’t get to see the long days and sleepless nights that are part and parcel of an entrepreneur’s life.
What are some of your biggest challenges in day-to-day business operations and your particular industry?
Since Covid-19, the public has definitely become more healthconscious and the use of natural products, however this has also led to many more socalled “manufacturers” who are not professionally-qualified but believe they can quickly mix up similar products for sale to the public.
If the product formulation is not correct it can be harmful, especially when working with essential oils and even though we are working with natural raw ingredients.
What is the best advice anyone gave you on success? My dad always jokes with me and says, “don’t work too hard”.
He actually is correct, being an entrepreneur means it’s so important to stop and smell the roses every now and then.
How do you measure or define success in your business?
The testimonials we receive from our ecstatic clients make my heart jump with joy — especially when dealing with teenagers and acne.
To see the physical change and hear of the difference in the confidence within themselves is so rewarding for me.
What are some of the best practices that have made your business successful?
Talking about my business at various functions and thus providing exposure to extended audiences.
If you had told me 10 years ago that I would be giving presentations and guest speaking, I would have laughed at you!
It’s truly amazing how life works out — when you love what you do, you can’t stop speaking about it.
Engaging with my clients and other interested people has helped tremendously.
What kind of advertising do you do?
Mainly social media, networking, training of agents and presentations.
What is your company’s vision?
To get more people to see the importance of an eco-friendly product and the use of chemical free products.
I’m also so looking forward to see the growth of our family tree and thereby helping others earn an extra income — especially with where our economy is now at.
What is your target market? Literally everyone, as we have products formulated and marketed for all people.
Excitingly, we will also soon be launching a pet range for our furry friends.
What have some of your highlights been in running your business?
Meeting some truly amazing and inspirational people.
They know who they are.
How important is social media and an online presence for your business?
I would say it’s vitally important — and certainly the way forward.
I do, however, know that our clients like to first feel and smell products before purchasing, so a brick-and-mortar retail presence is still important.
How did you acquire funding for the business?
I had some savings and used some of my provident fund to get LovisaLife started.
How many people do you employ?
Only two casuals.
Do you have any plans for expanding the business, and how would you go about this? LovisaLife has always grown organically.
Something that started in my kitchen has grown into a business supplying over 100 salons and health shops, as well as having national sales agents.
I cannot wait to see what lies ahead for LovisaLife.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your business journey so far? Never ever give up.
There is always an upside to every downside.
What have been the greatest challenges and advantages of running your business in a city like Gqeberha?
With social media we are thankfully not confined to Gqeberha, but can supply clients all over SA.
As residents, we just have the privilege of living in such a beautiful city and get to enjoy an incredible lifestyle with our beloved family.
What do you say are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur?
Being strong-willed, having a positive outlook on life and to always be approachable.
What do you say are the key traits of a successful employer?
To help people grow and thereby become the best version of themselves, while being fair.