Enterprising South African business woman Sarinah Matema-Morgans has added international silverware to her cabinet after she recently scooped two top awards in the UK.
The charismatic Matema-Morgans is the owner of Serenitii Luxury Body Care by Sarinah and she has made great strides in the body care products market.
Trends Mzansi sat her down to find out more about her growing brand, her awards and what the future holds for Serenitii.
1) Could you please tell us more about the UK Awards you recently scooped.
We had the honor to receive two international accolades from the UK. One from the Global Excellence Awards for "Most outstanding Spa & retail products supplier 2018" and the other accolade from CEO Today Africa awards. The latter accolade honored Most respected companies and their C-Level executives in Africa.
2) How significant are these awards to your business?
These awards attests to strides made and global brand I envisage building with my range. It's a team effort. The awards also speaks to leadership culture that exists within, which is about inclusion and leading from the back. They are also a stepping stone and have depicted the bigger future lying ahead.
3) You have been well documented as an emerging powerhouse entrepreneur, how challenging has your journey been as a female entrepreneur.
Yes recently Entrepreuner Magazine added my name to the list of the top 50 African women entrepreneurs to watch. The journey has been tough and one hasn't arrived yet. It's our 4th year in business and There are good & bad days at times, especially now that our economy keeps dwindling. The key is to be very flexible with internal strategies, keep building the brand by finding suitable markets and be patient with the process.
4) What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learnt along the way?
Lesson #1
To be patient with the process. The process helped me master my business.
Lesson #2
Build my brand from the ground up, success isn't an overnight process.
Lesson #3
Start small, but have the bigger picture in front of you.
Lesson #4
Passion is key. It keeps me going even when cash flow is slow.
5) Can you briefly tell our readers about your seven amazing products.
Serenitii Luxury Body Care by Sarinah has 7 amazing body care products. The current range picks on three tier assortment namely: Value, Everyday & Affordable luxury. The range capitalizes on the use of Africa growing ingredients like the African shea beans to add much needed vitamins to the skin, gentleness, balanced and rich moisturisation.
6) Where can consumers purchase your products?
It's currently sold in Nigeria onJumia.com.ng/beautiva-collections, in South Africa through rsamade.co.za. We are still trying the range in 70 of pick n pay stores countrywide here in South Africa.
7) Why would you recommend your products?
The range stands for purpose that reflects our own values and beliefs as an African. We are a brand that prioritize value, quality, people and purpose ahead of profit. An African brand thats deeply rooted in preserving African traditions passed down from generations
8) After winning the UK awards, what's the next step?
We want to leverage on the awards and make the range as accessible as possible. There'll be quite a number of brand activations this year to foster brand advocacy and awareness.
