This archive report was first published on 16 August 2019.
Friday, August 16, 2019, marked a significant milestone for Lucy Kimani, the founder of Dona by Dawn, as she shared her inspiring story of creating oil for dry skin.
Lucy's journey began with her own struggles with dry skin, which she had suffered from since childhood. Despite trying various lotions and concoctions, she found that they often failed to provide the desired moisturization.
It was during her time working in Malaysia for a pharmaceutical company that Lucy discovered the key to creating a product that worked for her dry skin. She began experimenting with different ingredients, eventually developing a unique blend that combined shea and cocoa butter with cetomacrogol cream.
After two years of research, Lucy commercially manufactured her first Dona by Dawn body lotion in 2014. The lotion quickly gained popularity, thanks to its effectiveness in moisturizing dry skin.
Lucy's success story is a testament to the power of innovation and determination. Despite facing challenges such as high manufacturing taxes and limited retail chain support, she remained committed to her vision of creating high-quality, natural beauty products.
Today, Dona by Dawn offers a range of products, including hair food, hairspray, and curling butter, all of which are made with natural ingredients and cater to the diverse needs of African women's skin.
Lucy's advice to women who are hesitant to become entrepreneurs is to start with whatever they have and be prepared to take risks. She emphasizes the importance of planning, courage, and self-belief in achieving business success.
As for her own skincare regime, Lucy is a minimalist, using a moisturizing shower gel, body lotion, and petroleum jelly to keep her dry skin hydrated and healthy.
