Augustina Ephraim graduated from Concord College in 2008 and is the CEO and Founder of ethical cosmetics company Balanta Cosmetics.

We caught up with Augustina to ask a few questions about her business and the journey she took to get to where she is today:

"Balanta Cosmetics is a natural cosmetics brand that uses active ingredients derived from precious oils and herbs from Africa. Our mission is to magnify the natural beauty of our clients while contributing to the sustainable development of rural areas in Africa with zero-waste manufacturing processes.

"Firstly, the idea of creating a natural cosmetics brand came to me when I visited the rural area of Balantacounda in Casamance in the year 2018 with my husband and business partner Moulaye Biaye. I was already making cosmetic products for my personal use back then and was therefore excited to see so many varieties of plants, herbs and oils that could be used as cosmetics ingredients, but which were currently under-valorised.

"The main reason for this is that Casamance experienced a recent 30-year war that devasted many families and livelihoods. This made me and my husband Moulaye determined to contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. I therefore decided to take a diploma in natural skin and hair care formulation, and then spent a year undergoing market research, product development and building strategic partnerships.

"We decided on the brand name ‘Balanta Cosmetics’ to honour the strong relationship we had built with the women cooperatives and farmers in the Balantacounda area.In September 2020, our new haircare line ‘Keep Calm’ was launched with 5 products : Touloucouna oil solid shampoo, Hibiscus conditioner, Hibiscus + Aloe Vera detangler, Shea butter + Olive oil hydrating cream, Moringa Herbal oil mix.

"Since our launch in April 2019, our activities provide revenues to over 100 women from 6 cooperatives in the region of Casamance, south of Senegal. Entrepreneurship offers the opportunity to have a strong and lasting social impact, beyond creating wealth for yourself and for your family. As female entrepreneurs, we are very well positioned to build businesses that have a positive social impact. And it is this impact that Balanta Cosmetics seeks to create in rural areas in Africa."

Balanta currently ships to countries in Europe, the UK and Africa, via its website 

 www.balanta-cosmetics.com

Balanta products use vegan friendly ingredients derived from nature. If you like the sound of these delightful products and would like to support this fantastic business, visit the website to place your order now!