Jesaya takes on the skincare industry

Businesswoman Olivia Hamukwaya, known as Olivia Jesaya, hails is from Windhoek, Namibia's capital. Her growing company, Liv Organic Cosmetics, distributes organic skincare products.

She goes by the name Jesaya in honour of her late father, whom she credits with influencing her development as a young businesswoman. According to Hamukwaya, she comes from a very caring family who have done everything in their power to help her dreams come true.

"My parents have always been my support pillars, guiding me through the early stages of starting a business," she pointed out. "But, aside from that, I had to carry some of my own. I've always been strong-willed and believed in my ability to accomplish anything I set my mind to."

Her money-making ethics began quite early in her life. She vividly recalls a time when she and her best friend decided to sell Russians in order to save cash for their birthday. They made a good amount of money, just enough to celebrate their birthday in style.

Hamukwaya hails from Omafo, which is near Oshikango, Namibia's busiest border. She said with her father's financial assistance, she used to buy bulk clothing from Oshikango, often known as bales, to resell in Windhoek.

Why skincare?

Jesaya said she opted for the skincare sector because it resonated with her personal skin concerns. She narrated how her hypersensitive skin prevented her from using several of her favourite cosmetics, particularly ones that were perfumed.

She then recognised an opportunity to fill the void by creating products that appealed to her preferences — organic skincare products.

She emphasised that her organic skincare products are manufactured with ingredients that fulfill the same requirements as organic food. This means no harsh chemicals, insecticides or fertilisers. Many chemical substances used as fillers do more harm than good, she said.

Her products are suitable for all skin types: Dry, oily, sensitive, and so on. Her unisex products are also suitable for those who suffer from hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone and other skin problems.

She also caters for everyday usage, not just for individuals with skin issues.

On duty

Hamukwaya asserts that she appreciates what she does and is accountable for her company's actions. "As the CEO, my main responsibility is to keep the business afloat."

Being a CEO means reporting to yourself and showing up for yourself for your own good, and every habit and move you make will determine the success of your business."

I need to ensure that my clients have access to high-quality products.

“Attending to clients is a typical day in my life. Like most people, I have trouble juggling work and school because I am currently pursuing an honours degree, so my days can be chaotic.”

Further, she noted that overseas shipping can be a battle and a nightmare, one that is demanding and never-ending, given that her manufacturer operates outside of Namibian borders. Nonetheless, she perseveres despite these difficulties.

"Some days, I'd say language barriers are the challenge, because we are not always able to communicate in all languages. We occasionally have misunderstandings with clients. To circumvent this, we occasionally send photographs to consumers so they can choose what they require. On other days, we ask for clients' images so that we can offer the best things for

them."

The company raises brand recognition through social media and hopes to expand into other forms of marketing in the future. She offers her products as an influencer, which is a real testament to how well they work.

"Our products are available at Otjomise 4, Hanover Street. They may also be accessed on our social media via @livorganiccosmetics".

A few facts about me:

I am a combination of an introvert and an extrovert.

My favorite colour is black.

I love dancing.

I dislike cabbage.