Pheli Dlamini, creatively expresses her love of African fabrics through her company Khokho Designs. The Swaziland native supports BlackFollicles.com because black products are unique and there isn’t a platform for them right now.

Can you please introduce yourself; name, where are you from and what is the name of your business?
My name is Pheli Dlamini, born in Swaziland, I live in Canada, my shop is Khokho Designs

What inspired you to start your business, when and what is your goal?
Inspiration for my business is creative expression through the love of African fabrics

What do you find most challenging about running a business?
The most challenging thing about running a business is the paperwork, I can create to no end but when it comes to doing the paperwork, I am not so inspired.

What makes your business and your products special?

My products are unique in design, I use a lot of African fabrics in my designs and each particular fabric is only in stock for a short period of time, which demands constant change and ensures that the customer always received one of a kind unique items.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from doing business?
The most important thing is to not wait until you have accumulated all the knowledge possible before you start a business, it will never happen. Start the business, accumulate knowledge as you go, and always be open to new ideas.

Have you ever been to a hair or trade show? If so where and how was the experience?
I have never been to a hair show or trade show.

Do you think it’s important to have a website as a business or is it more important to have social media like facebook?
I think its important to have a website and also to use all social media for a business.

Where do you want to be in five years?
In five years I would like to be completely self sufficient through my business activities.

About Black Natural Hair

Did you ever believe you had “bad” hair? If yes, how do you think you got that idea, when did it change and how did you change it?
When I was younger I had bad hair, it was so kinky I couldn’t get a comb through it. I think it was due to using poor quality shampoos and conditioners, once I found products that were good for my hair, my hair quality improved and I was able to take care of it better. I now have dreadlocks, which are just wonderful and purely natural.

Did you ever feel ashamed of your hair? If yes, can you please share one or more moments?
I have never felt ashamed of my hair even though I lived in a small town where I was pretty much the only black person. I have always had a great pride for all of me, including my
kinky hair.

What styles have you tried in the past (relaxers, Jherri curls, locs, afro etc). Which one was your favorite and why do you choose to wear this style now?
I have tries relaxers, natural and now locs. Locs are by far the best as they are natural, they look great and they don’t have all the extra oily textures of relaxers. Ive had locs for 5 years and love them.

About us

We are doing a crowd funding for BlackFollicles.com to build the amazon.com or etsy of Natural Hair Care products. The goal is to give entrepreneurs like yourself the chance to expand their market and sell to Europe. Can you please take a look at BlackFollicles.com and tell us what you think of the idea?
Wonderful Idea, go for it all the way!

What perk/gift would you choose and why?
I would choose any gift, a gift is a surprise and no matter what it is, it is the thought and gesture that counts.

Do you support the idea of BlackFollicles.com? If so why if no why not?
I support the idea as black products are unique and there isn’t a platform for them right now that I know of, so to bring things to one place would be wonderful.

About Your Store

Where can people find you and your products?

My products are at www.etsy.com/ca/shop/Khokhodesigns

Last word?

Thank you for the invitation to participate.

 

 Also read what Kristin Jones say about KCamille Naturals and BlackFollicles.com