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Ayanda Majola, a South African entrepreneur building a niche beauty brand for sensitive skin

March 5, 2023 Melanie Hawken

Ayanda Majola, founder, Yanda Cosmetics (South Africa)

Startup Story

Ayanda Majola is the founder of Yanda Cosmetics which is a local South African beauty brand that specializes in scientific skincare made specifically for sensitive skin. As well as being a beauty entrepreneur, she is also a medical science student. Her business is committed to bringing non-toxic, simple, effective and affordable skincare products made with clinically proven active ingredients that were carefully selected from her background knowledge in both Medicine and Science. Despite her young age and being a full-time health science student, Ayanda has been able to grow her brand in a short space of time. Her products are now available on Zando and Takealot which are the leading online platforms in the country and she has recently signed a deal with an international shopping platform that will stock and sell her products in the United Kingdom.



LoA spoke to this young and ambitious beauty brand builder, Ayanda Majola, about her vision for the business and her entrepreneurial journey so far.

What does your company do?

Yanda Cosmetics is a beauty brand that focuses on scientific skincare and beauty. We offer non-toxic, clean, and affordable skincare products made with only the finest clinically proven ingredients that are not harsh on the skin. With a wide range of face serums, toners, and soaps, we have a product for every skin concern and every skin type.

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“Yanda Cosmetics was inspired by my personal struggles with acne.”

“I want everyone to know that the skin is just their outer layer and that their natural beauty is within.”

What inspired you to start your company?

Yanda Cosmetics was inspired by my personal struggles with acne. I started developing pimples and hyperpigmentation at a very young age and that made me very insecure and introverted. I started keeping to myself and avoiding social interaction because I never felt beautiful and comfortable in my own skin. My dark skin tone also made it worse because I grew up in a society where dark skin was mocked. As I grew older I realized that beauty is not what social media sells us. So, after failing to find skincare products that worked for me I started Yanda Cosmetics to offer effective skin solutions for any skin concern or self-consciousness. I want everyone to know that the skin is just their outer layer and that their natural beauty is within.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

Yanda Cosmetics is special because every product is formulated from my knowledge of both the skin and science. Each product is made with clinically proven ingredients that are safe for even the most sensitive skin.

Tell us a little about your team

Currently, every aspect of Yanda Cosmetics is run solely by myself with the hope and aim to expand and hire people in the near future.

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“My plans for the near future are to create employment in my disadvantaged community of Alexandra by opening my own store that will employ women in order to bridge the gap of gender inequality.”

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

While my entrepreneurial journey is still new, I get a lot of my inspiration from my father who owns a shuttle company.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

My plans for the near future are to create employment in my disadvantaged community of Alexandra by opening my own store that will employ women in order to bridge the gap of gender inequality.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Inspiring young girls to get up and define their own futures by starting businesses. It gives me great satisfaction that my story inspires them to chase their dreams and show them that anything is possible if you put in the work.

What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

My advice is to be resilient. Social media has made it seem like running a business is easy because no one is sharing their failures. When in reality, entrepreneurship is a difficult journey that is very rewarding only if you put in the work. So, it’s important to keep going even during trying times because the key to success is focusing on the end goal, not the obstacles.

Contact or follow Yanda Cosmetics

FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL yanda.jola@gmail.com


Why LoA loves it…

Often the most successful women entrepreneurs are those who build businesses, brands and products that are the solution to a personally experienced problem or challenge. That was certainly the inspiration for Ayanda Majola, whose personal experiences of dealing with acne led her to develop an effective yet gentle skincare range for sensitive skin. Her brand, though young, is growing, as is her customer base of people looking for products that are made with passion and integrity. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

In Startup Story Tags South Africa, Beauty & Wellness
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