Rising Star of Local Entrepreneurship: A Profiling

Zulfah Hartley, founder of Auburn Botanicals, has become a rising star in local entrepreneurship with a natural health and beauty business that offers relief to women aged 30 and over from menopausal symptoms. Auburn Botanicals gained momentum through the City’s Urban Waste Management Expanded Public Works Programme, which provides budding entrepreneurs with experience, mentorship, and peer advice. Hartley’s vision for Auburn Botanicals includes broadening her product line and stepping into wellness services such as massages.

Rising Star of Local Entrepreneurship: A Profiling – Learn about the journey of Zulfah Hartley, the founder of Auburn Botanicals, a natural health and beauty business that offers relief from menopausal symptoms to women aged 30 and over. Hartley’s entrepreneurial journey gained momentum through the City’s Urban Waste Management Expanded Public Works Programme, which provides budding entrepreneurs with experience, mentorship, and peer advice. Auburn Botanicals is now available at Canal Walk, and Hartley envisions broadening her product line and stepping into wellness services such as massages.

The world of entrepreneurship is often perceived through the prism of multi-million dollar start-ups, with Silicon Valley usually being the epicenter. However, the essence of entrepreneurship lies in the charming yet often overlooked realm of small-scale businesses. One such tale that has garnered the attention of many is the journey of Zulfah Hartley, a modest businesswoman from Penlyn Estate, Athlone.

The Birth and Growth of Auburn Botanicals

Hartley’s venture, Auburn Botanicals, unfolds the magic of natural health and beauty. This business stands firmly on the foundation of utilizing organic constituents. Auburn Botanicals’ mission is to provide relief from menopausal symptoms to women aged 30 and over, with a variety of skin care products. The business owes its inception to Hartley’s commitment to offering a line of natural skincare products, derived from plant-based resources.

Auburn Botanicals’ flagship product, a powdered skincare cleanser named Rust, stems from almond-based concoctions. The product resulted from rigorous research and an intensive partnership with a consultant skilled in indigenous fynbos plants. The product development stage was a long and challenging process, with four years dedicated to fine-tuning the formulation.

Hartley’s entrepreneurial journey gained momentum through the Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme of the City’s Urban Waste Management (UWM) Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). Hartley propelled Auburn Botanicals from a local venture to a business whose products now grace the shelves of Canal Walk, a renowned shopping center. Alderman Grant Twigg, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Waste Management, recently paid a visit to Hartley in acknowledgment of her accomplishments.

Expanding Horizons and Achievements

Encouraged by her experience in the programme, Hartley has sought to deepen her knowledge of wellness and product development. Her ambition extends beyond skincare; Hartley envisions broadening her product line and stepping into wellness services such as massages.

One of Hartley’s significant milestones is the growth of her enterprise. Auburn Botanicals has secured a prized position on the shelves of a Canal Walk store, an achievement any small business would be proud of. Hartley actively participates in workshops with fellow programme participants, promoting discussions around women’s health and wellness. Her business triumphs have created a permanent job, with the promise of more as her venture thrives.

The Impact of the EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme

The EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme provides a crucial platform for budding entrepreneurs to gain experience, mentorship, and peer advice. Alderman Twigg praises the programme for its dedication to facilitating the transfer of skills and knowledge to the beneficiaries of the Expanded Public Works Programme.

The programme, currently in its third year, extends beyond being a mere training platform. It serves as a comprehensive guide, equipping entrepreneurs with necessary skills through various training and development modules offered by the University of the Western Cape. The modules encompass several key business areas, including financial management, marketing, and leadership. This comprehensive method, coupled with personalized coaching and mentorship, distinguishes the programme.

The impact of the EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme is undeniable. Over the past two years, the programme has fostered job creation and revenue growth among the businesses it has supported. The journey of Zulfah Hartley and Auburn Botanicals stands as a shining example of the far-reaching influence of this initiative. It serves as a bright beacon, lighting the way for aspiring entrepreneurs and reminding us all that the brilliance of entrepreneurship can shine from the most unexpected corners.

Who is Zulfah Hartley?

Zulfah Hartley is the founder of Auburn Botanicals, a natural health and beauty business that offers relief from menopausal symptoms to women aged 30 and over. She is a small business owner from Penlyn Estate, Athlone and a rising star in local entrepreneurship.

What is Auburn Botanicals?

Auburn Botanicals is a natural health and beauty business that offers relief from menopausal symptoms to women aged 30 and over. The business stands on the foundation of utilizing organic constituents and aims to provide a line of natural skincare products derived from plant-based resources.

How did Auburn Botanicals come into being?

Auburn Botanicals came into being due to Zulfah Hartley’s commitment to offering a line of natural skincare products. The flagship product, Rust, is a powdered skincare cleanser made from almond-based concoctions. The product resulted from rigorous research and an intensive partnership with a consultant skilled in indigenous fynbos plants.

How did the EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme help Auburn Botanicals?

The EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme provided a crucial platform for Zulfah Hartley to gain experience, mentorship, and peer advice. The programme, currently in its third year, equips entrepreneurs with necessary skills through various training and development modules. This comprehensive method, coupled with personalized coaching and mentorship, helped Hartley propel Auburn Botanicals from a local venture to a business whose products now grace the shelves of Canal Walk.

What are Hartley’s future plans for Auburn Botanicals?

Encouraged by her experience in the programme, Hartley envisions broadening her product line and stepping into wellness services such as massages.

What is the impact of the EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme?

The EPWP Entrepreneurship Trainee Programme fosters job creation and revenue growth among the businesses it has supported. The journey of Zulfah Hartley and Auburn Botanicals stands as a shining example of the far-reaching influence of this initiative. It serves as a bright beacon, lighting the way for aspiring entrepreneurs and reminding us all that the brilliance of entrepreneurship can shine from the most unexpected corners.