Blended Inc.

Kelello Trevor Lehoka
Aug 27, 2017
6 min read

Mathari Nozibusiso Apasha Manyisa @thari_manhissa @blended.IncSa (Instagram) blended.IncSa on Facebook

Tell us about your background?

I Grew up in Mpumalanga, I was born and bred there, as a child I lived in Matsulu with my grandpa and my mom (she spent a lot of time away working and studying though). I later moved to town with her and lived with her since then to date. I went to a primary school called St.Peter's Primary School and I attended Hoerskool Bergvlam for high school. I Grew up middle class but very happy, I've never really lacked anything as a child, my family is one that is close knit and rooted in Christ. My grandpa always kept us together so I grew up in a stable home, with a loving and strong family.

What are the most difficult things you have had to endure in business thus far?

Starting the business and getting it off the ground must have been the hardest thing I had to endure, I had nobody to give me a headstart or a plan so I had to capitalize on what I had and start where I was, with the little that I had. It was not an easy task. I had many doubts and many more reasons not to start.

What influences your work?

I have an idea of how I want my life to be, I have a vision of where I want to be 10 years from now, I never want myself or my family to struggle, my mother is such a hardworker and everything she has worked for is for myself and her family. I guess I admire that about her. I found something that I really love and I decided that my passion could be my paycheck and well, here I am now.

What made you decide you want to be in the Hair industry?

I'm black, I am magic and I have a voice, nobody can hear your voice or see your magic if you don't step out of your comfort zone and leave your shell. Too many black children need powerful black men and women who will teach them how to love their black skin and "unmanageable" "hard" "coily" "unprofessional" hair, the way I see it as a black person our hair defines beauty, and our roots.

This industry is perfect for me.

I see myself changing the way black children see themselves, we have beautiful hair we just need to embrace it and learn how to take care of it.

What are your career goals?

I aspire to be a lawyer, that's one thing I will become. Perhaps even a Judge, who knows?

How do you define success and how do you measure up to your own definition?

I think success is not really so much about how much money you have, cars or houses (the universe is still aligning me with that) but I think it is really about how many people's lives you touch.

Well I can say I already consider myself successful because in one way or another I have touched a few people and that's all I aspire to do.

Can you tell us about a situation that was difficult and you were able to overcome it?

A difficult situation for me was during a time when I was in search of myself, it wasn't so much of a situation because situations usually don't last long. It was more like a process or a journey, it took me roughly 3-4 years and I was just looking for myself everywhere but not looking in myself. I didn't know what I was doing, I couldn't figure out what I wanted from life, my purpose was not clear to me and I was easily influenced by worldly things, I went through a lot those were tough times. I lost a few people and made a lot of bad decisions but I got myself together when I realised that everything was a choice, that I was always ONE decision away from a completely different life.

I made that decision. It's simple really, I started to live for myself.

Tell us about the most exciting project that you worked on.

Honestly Blended is currently the most exciting thing I've worked on because it's all me. It brings me so much joy.

Besides business, is there anything else you do?

Yes, I'm a full time law student at the University of North West and I also work for the University as a Supplemental Instructor, I tutor Criminal procedure at the university. I'm also a daughter, sister, friend and may be even girlfriend so that's also work right? (haha) I'm joking.

What can we expect from you soon?

Well, a lot but it is too soon to tell I prefer that you wait and see.

What is your most memorable moment thus far?

I have lots of those really but I think after I had my first radio interview about BLENDED and it dawned on me that this was actually happening. I was so pleased with myself, It really made me happy, but not as much as my mother and uncle were happy for me. Those two people are my greatest pillars of strength and that was just a great moment for me, hearing them tell me how proud they are, that was a great feeling.

Do you get nervous?

I'm always nervous, I have a lot of anxiety attacks but apparently if your dreams don't scare you then they aren't big enough, so yes. I'm constantly nervous but I pray, I believe in myself and I have strong support system so that helps.

Passion, tell us what comes to mind when you think about your passion.

I have this saying that goes something like "find something you love and let it kill you" I'm naturally lazy so I don't do anything that I'm not passionate about. If my heart and my mind is not in it I'm simply not going to do it. So everything I do, including my interactions with other people, it's passion that pushes me. I'm passionate about a lot of things, BLENDED happens to be one of them.

What would you say to an aspiring entrepreneur that would help him/her in their journey?

Start today, where you are with what you have. I pretty much started this business with a 200 rand note and artchar containers, I decided that I was gonna make it work, and of course not everyone will believe in your dream, others will tell you it's unrealistic, ignore those people! YOU CAN AND YOU MUST. Like I've already said ,you are literally one decision away from a completely different life, just decide.

Name one thing you dislike about the industry?

Currently not enough people believe in the natural hair journey, selling hair products in the industry is so challenging because you basically have to begin by changing the mindset and attitude that people have about black hair. It's absolutely mental how many people have given up on their natural hair. It's also not easy being in this industry because there are bigger brands that have been there for years like "Black like me" or "dark and lovely" and then you come as a girl from a small town, trying to tell people 'hey try "Blended.inc" it actually works,' it's tough.

What would you like to change (positively) in the market, and how would you do that?

I've mentioned earlier that there is just so much prejudice involving black people and their black hair. If anything I live for the day black queens and kings embrace themselves, embrace their hair, I live for the day black women wear weaves and wigs because they want to, not because they have been told that straight and silky hair is the only hair type that is beautiful. I live for the day young black females can go to School with their natural kinks and not be told that it looks untidy. That's what I'm here for.

What do you do when you are not working?

I take naps. Long naps. I also spend time with loved ones, go out, eat out, catch movies, or shop. I also read a lot and meditate.

Where do you hang out?

It depends on the mood really. I'm adventurous so I don't have a "spot" I could be anywhere really.

What is something that most people don't know about you?

If I told you then everybody would know my secret now wouldn't they? "Haha" let's keep them guessing. I'm joking, most people don't know that I’m an only child. You know that puts a lot of pressure on you as a person because you really don't want to be an only child and end up being a disappointment, you just really want to make your family proud. As an only child you get so much attention and your parents notice every last thing about you, it is challenging as you grow up, everyone is kind of just relying on you to make good decisions.