13 Dec 2016

A Gaborone-based youth, Ms Poshia Mokgathong believes one can survive unemployment through talent or craftsmanship.

Ms Mokgathong is the founder and creative director of a self-funded body care and household essentials business called Laedy-P Organics. The products of the business were only introduced to the public this year in February.

At the moment the company operates at Thusanyo House along the Old Lobatse Road.

In an interview recently, she said the business was born out of a concern over skin care products suitable for her skin. Ms Mokgathong said for a long time, she and her family struggled to find the right products to use to their satisfaction and for that reason she started trying to find ways on how to improve the family’s toiletries hence the starting of the business. Having been raised by a crafty mother and being somebody who loves art, Ms Mokgathong was inspired to start this kind of business.

“The idea was not started overnight as it took four years of research, perseverance, creativity and patience to improve and finally produce quality products,” Ms Mokgathong explained. She noted that although she had no formal training in this kind of business she attended some workshops in South Africa where she learnt a lot on soap and candle making.

The crafty Mokgathong also said she was mentored by a coach at the Development Advance Institute taking her through on how to operate this kind of business.

The company produces hand crafted soap bars, hand and body butter, massage candles, shower gels, diffusers and bath salts. The products, she said could be customised the way the client preferred in terms of colours, fragrance, skin-loving oils and butters, saying she normally have a one on one consultation with clients to try and establish the right materials to use in regard to those sensitive skins.

She said though some of the raw materials she used are not organic she tries her best to use the most gentle or natural products like milk, coffee, beeswax and essential oils.

“I mix some of the raw materials and use a stove to cook them, thereafter allowing the mixture to cool while using a fan or air conditioner then crafting them into my desired shape,” she explained. ENDS