Lubabalo Leve’s easygoing description of producing his own range of fragrances belies the courage and hard work that has gone into the venture.
But the Butterworth-born perfume fundi spent a lot of time researching industry trends and perfecting his product before summoning up the necessary courage to take the plunge into the market.
Leve, 32, worked for an international fragrance house as a national accounts manager for two years before launching out on his own.
His job at the time involved visiting retail stores which stocked his company’s product, while also learning the art of making fragrances.
“I saw a gap in the South African perfume market, where there were no local perfume brands. I found the courage to take on a market dominated by international brands.,” he said. Be You fragrances is manufactured in Johannesburg and is the result of research into well-established perfumes and current trends to determine which scents were most favoured by the market.
“I started collecting different samples of perfumes, smelling them from beginning to end, sometimes over a two-day period to check how that particular fragrance evolved in that time.
“I then produced small samples of each fragrance that I sold to friends and family,” Leve said.
“I realised you are at your best when you have found yourself which is why we say : ‘Be You – Stay True To Yourself’”.
“Also, smelling good can boost your confidence levels; it can give you that feeling of being untouchable,” he said.
After a good response to the samples, Leve said he gained more confidence in his product.
“Before I knew it, I had regular customers who were asking me to produce more perfumes. I started with a ladies’ perfume then went on to produce the men’s fragrance when the demand was there.”
His vision was funded by all his savings after he struggled to get funding from the National Youth Development Agency.
“I became more determined to make my business work as a result every rand that I made went back into the business and it is growing because of that.”
Be You Fragrances is available in five men’s colognes and six perfumes for women – all ranging from R350 – R500.
It is available from the website: www.beyoufragrances.co.za and at Link Pharmacy Madeira or Link Pharmacy at the BT Ngebs City Mall in Mthatha.
“I have been blessed and overwhelmed by the support I receive because the majority of my customers are people born in the Eastern Cape but who are based in the big cities,” Leve said.
The Food Technology graduate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, has another project in the clothing industry also under way.
“I have recently started a clothing line, which makes stylish high quality caps and body warmers also under the Be You name; they are available on my Facebook page,” he added.
Butterworth perfume fundi’s fragrances finally hit the shelves
But the Butterworth-born perfume fundi spent a lot of time researching industry trends and perfecting his product before summoning up the necessary courage to take the plunge into the market.
Leve, 32, worked for an international fragrance house as a national accounts manager for two years before launching out on his own.
His job at the time involved visiting retail stores which stocked his company’s product, while also learning the art of making fragrances.
“I saw a gap in the South African perfume market, where there were no local perfume brands. I found the courage to take on a market dominated by international brands.,” he said. Be You fragrances is manufactured in Johannesburg and is the result of research into well-established perfumes and current trends to determine which scents were most favoured by the market.
“I started collecting different samples of perfumes, smelling them from beginning to end, sometimes over a two-day period to check how that particular fragrance evolved in that time.
“I then produced small samples of each fragrance that I sold to friends and family,” Leve said.
“I realised you are at your best when you have found yourself which is why we say : ‘Be You – Stay True To Yourself’”.
“Also, smelling good can boost your confidence levels; it can give you that feeling of being untouchable,” he said.
After a good response to the samples, Leve said he gained more confidence in his product.
“Before I knew it, I had regular customers who were asking me to produce more perfumes. I started with a ladies’ perfume then went on to produce the men’s fragrance when the demand was there.”
His vision was funded by all his savings after he struggled to get funding from the National Youth Development Agency.
“I became more determined to make my business work as a result every rand that I made went back into the business and it is growing because of that.”
Be You Fragrances is available in five men’s colognes and six perfumes for women – all ranging from R350 – R500.
It is available from the website: www.beyoufragrances.co.za and at Link Pharmacy Madeira or Link Pharmacy at the BT Ngebs City Mall in Mthatha.
“I have been blessed and overwhelmed by the support I receive because the majority of my customers are people born in the Eastern Cape but who are based in the big cities,” Leve said.
The Food Technology graduate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology, has another project in the clothing industry also under way.
“I have recently started a clothing line, which makes stylish high quality caps and body warmers also under the Be You name; they are available on my Facebook page,” he added.
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