A Namibian business that is built on social entrepreneurship, is demonstrating that this is both a global, and a local trend towards more inclusivity in business. Social entrepreneurship uses business to solve social problems, such as the ones highlighted by Zodidi Gaseb’s TEDx talk, I am not your Stereotype. I am not my Hair. Zodidi Gaseb is the Founder of African Naturals, which comprises events and natural hair products that promote self-acceptance, as she is also a Positive Image Activist. Now about to open the third annual Natural Hair & Beauty Expo in Windhoek, Zodidi notes “Personally, I’m growing more and more into the person I am meant to be. The team are also a group of amazing, powerful women who understand that there is more power in working together and that has taught me so much about running a business that impacts people.”
“We also strongly believe in empowering other women to change perceptions in their communities and workplace, the effect has been amazing.”
Growing a business founded on transforming dogmatic social norms says Zodidi, “has its moments, and [is] a reminder that one has to live what one preaches and stick by your values in business and personally. It’s always refreshing when people meet the team and see that we all have natural hair, and they exclaim how we live our brand. We also strongly believe in empowering other women to change perceptions in their communities and workplace, the effect has been amazing.”
Zodidi says that since she first started her business, the industry has grown. “When we started off a few years ago, we were about 4 or 5 that I was aware of locally, now we have more than 40 businesses in natural hair and beauty, paying particular attention to natural and organic material. It has grown so rapidly that quality control has become a factor we have to pay attention to.”
“It’s a beautiful thing that natural hair, African aesthetics and culture is once again becoming a norm.”
Zodidi became an overnight sensation asking Namibians, and the World, to question their understanding of identity and stereotypes, after she gave her powerful and thought provoking TEDx Windhoek talk in 2015. Since then, she notes that, “There definitely has been a change, in the workplace, in industry, in society in general. People are reclaiming their identity back and it’s a beautiful thing that natural hair, African aesthetics and culture is once again becoming a norm.”
Now ready to present their third annual exhibition that is aimed at entrepreneurs, creatives, hair and beauty enthusiasts, Zodidi notes that visitors to this years Natural Hair & Beauty Expo can expect, “So much. Hair and beauty education, breaking stereotypes, how to care for your hair, beard and health in general, to be aware of what we put in and on our bodies, finding self love and confidence, music, local talent, wine tasting, local and international entrepreneurs, how to style locs for men and women, a kiddies corner, a car wash, local bloggers and more.”
With a new theme and new topics up for discussion, Zodidi explains that this years expo is “African inspired, taking us back to our roots and is a celebration of all things African, from food to a fantastic prize for best dressed. People should stick to African print to stand a chance to win a voucher from Ingo Shanyenge or our fantastic sponsors who have joined us this year such as 99FM, Wahl, Tamasa Trading and Mobi Car Wash.”
When asked what entrepreneurs and small businesses can gain by attending, Zodidi says they will gain “The best networking opportunity as their direct customers will be there, access to our wide network and database, an opportunity to source new customers and to get feedback on their products and services.”
The Natural Hair & Beauty Expo is taking place on the 9th of September at the International University of Management (IUM)’s Tunana Hall in Dorado Park.
For more information about the Natural Hair & Beauty Expo click here
Written by Kirsty Watermeyer