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HOMEGROWN SKINCARE; JUST FOR YOU!

By Nokwanda Sibandze | 2024-09-30

Did you know that the biggest organ in your body is your skin?

Well now you do, and what better way to take care of body than to start with the biggest organ you have. Scene this week found a young woman who has a passion for taking care of one’s skin, so much so that she started making her own products to help people take better care of their skin. Meet Karyn Groening, also known as Mama Zen.

A young entrepreneur who is passionate about the creative industry. As the founder of ZenAura and a house-sitting business, she says she thrives on delivering the best service and experience to her clients. Karyn is also the Cultural and Events Coordinator at Alliance Francaise de Mbabane, where she curates memorable experiences through their events.

“I have an insatiable love for self-development and psychology, constantly seeking knowledge about life and our shared experiences. A proud plant mom, my home has transformed into a lush jungle thanks to my friend and her plant-selling business.

Spiritually, I cherish my direct connection with a higher power, which shapes my outlook on life,” she says. Karyn is a woman of many passions as she also has a huge love and appreciation for fashion.

“Fashion is another passion of mine—getting ready for a day or night out with friends is a delightful ritual where I truly shine, curating outfits that express my unique style,” she says. passions After hearing her speak about her love for different passions,

I was eager to find out what lured her into deciding to make her own body products. So, let us dive into the heart of her journey: ZenAura. According to Mama Zen, ZenAura Essentials is an expression of self love through self care. “ZenAura Essentials,

I believe self-care is a profound expression of self-love that transcends gender,” she adds. She says her products offer homemade body scrubs, bath salts and now, luxurious massage oils designed to elevate people’s well-being.

All her products are home-made and hand-made, these include Body Scrubs: which gently exfoliate and rejuvenate ones skin, leaving it smooth, plump, and deeply moisturised.

She says they have three types coffee scrubs, turmeric and orange and vanilla scrub they serve unique benefits for the skin. They also offer bath salts, which are crafted with himalayan salt, she says their bath salts detoxify the body while relieving stress and balancing/ cleansing ones energy.

“We also have massage oils, the massage oils blend almond, jojoba, and grape seed oils with essential oils for a soothing experience. Our most popular blend, rosemary and orange, offers a calming citrus aroma that relaxes the mind and body,” she adds.

She says her inspiration as a dedicated young woman in Eswatini comes from her love for self-care. “As someone dedicated to self-development, I have witnessed the profound impact of self-care on mental health and overall wellness.

I founded ZenAura Essentials to share this journey and to redefine self-care as an inclusive practice for everyone,” she adds. I encourage all individuals, including men, to consciously engage in self-care. It’s not just a ritual; it’s an empowering way to nurture your body, mind, and spirit.

Join us in celebrating the beauty of self-care for all. strive Her other motivation to strive for greatness comes from her sister. “My sister has always inspired me to see things through, and that's the driving force behind my ambition for ZenAura Essentials.

I’m passionate about creating products that help people embrace their bodies and appreciate their skin,” she says. Coming up with such a business requires one to constantly be innovative and strive to achieve more goals.

One of her goals is to encourage everyone to immerse themselves in the transformative power of self-care. “It is a small but impactful step toward enhancing mental, physical, and spiritual well-being,” she adds. So far, her biggest achievement so far is actually starting her businesss and her vision coming to light.

“Launching my business has been my proudest achievement. From crafting the branding to selecting the perfect packaging, every step has been empowering and therapeutic. The entire journey of creating my products from scratch fuels my desire to grow ZenAura Essentials and share its benefits with the world,” she says.

As her business is relatively new, she says she her struggles are more internal. As a new entrepreneur, Karyn says she struggles with procrastination. “My biggest hurdle so far has been procrastinating. I sat on my idea for far too long before bringing my first product to life.

The process of finalizing my logo and branding also took time, as I wanted it to subtly reflect the essence of ZenAura. Financial constraints were challenging, but I’m grateful for my job, which allowed me to save and invest in my dream,” she says. As a young entrepreneur in the 21st century, using social media to promote her business is a given.

However, Karyn says she is still mastering the art of using social media for marketing, but it has been very helpful. “Most of my clients come from the monthly markets I attend, where I can engage with people in real-time.

There’s something special about letting customers see, touch, and smell the products. Social media expands my reach, but nothing beats that in-person connection,” she says.

Using social media has it pros and cons, and most of the time companies and business struggle with negative backlash from customers and other social media users, Karyn says she has been lucky as she has not received any negative backlash on social media.

“The only downside is that I cannot provide the tactile experience my customers crave online. I thrive on those immediate, real-life interactions—it is where the magic happens,” she added. As someone who makes her products from scratch, she believes that it has given her a distinct advantage over other suppliers.

“Crafting my products from scratch gives me a distinct advantage. I can confidently promote them as organic, knowing every ingredient I use. It is an intimate and impressive process, and while it’s not quick or easy, the rewards are immense.

Plus, I grow some of my herbs—nothing beats that freshness,” she says. Karyn has many other goals for her business, including having ZenAura products featured in several local spas next year. “I am actively working toward getting into three, four, or even five spas in Eswatini.

That is the vision I am chasing,” she says. Her advice to anyone considering starting a business, is to use the resources that they have and stop waiting for the ‘perfect’ moment. “That mindset can keep you stuck for years. Just take action! Bring your ideas to life — create that product, sew that dress, or design your marketing plan.

Remember, baby steps are better than no steps. Don’t be the friend who only talks about ideas without ever executing them,” she added. To my lovely Zennies, crafting products for you is not just a job—it is a joyful and healing process.

Your support means the world to me, and your feedback truly brightens my day. To potential customers, I invite you to make ZenAura your go-to companion for self-care. I promise you will not be disappointed!

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