For this young woman entrepreneurship is a way of life. North-West University (NWU) master’s student in chemistry, Paula Maseko, recently started her own business by producing and selling haircare products.

Paula, who hails from Lonelypark in Mahikeng, started her business in 2020 in her mother’s garage. With a few pots, bowls, a hand blender and a two-plate stove, Buhle Bomqhele hair cream and growth oil were born.

Paula says she developed her formulation skills through trial and error, and after a while, she perfected the formula and the first two Buhle Bomqhele products were launched.

Still operating from her mother’s garage, she has since moved from a two-plate stove to a mixer machine, and currently employs six sales representatives which are based around Mahikeng and Gauteng.

Paula says her aunt and her love for chemistry inspired her to enter the hair care industry. “Back when most people preferred chemically modifying their hair over keeping their hair natural, my aunt used to groom my hair. From her teachings and the chemistry background I have, I started playing around with a few ingredients, modifying hair care products that I had purchased, which led to my own hair care line,” she explains.

She says she considers being able to launch Buhle Bomqhele her biggest achievement. “Whoever purchases a Buhle Bomqhele product accepts themselves as they are, and ‘dare to be unique’.”

According to Paula, their mission is to make sure that natural hair care is a walk in the park for “kinky queens”. “If Buhle Bomqhele can help more young women with curly hair embrace their natural hair, then we have achieved something. To me, this business is a means to connect, assist and teach woman to embrace and nurture their naturally curly hair.”

She says the research skills she obtained from the NWU made her business journey a lot easier. “Being completely new in the formulation industry, I had to go and look for journals on the materials and methods to be able to produce a viable product, and thanks to the research skills that were instilled in me it was not a difficult process,” says Paula.

“The support we receive as students at the NWU are invaluable. We are always reminded that we are not on our own, and that there is always someone to help you or lead you to the assistance you need.

“Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. It is not going to be easy to start, so do not be afraid to ask for help. Whatever idea you have in mind can be a success if you believe in yourself,” adds Paula.

Watch this video in which Paula talks about Buhle Bomqhele.

Paula Maseko is the proud business owner of Buhle Bomqhele, a range of organic hair care products.