KIMBERLEY – A Kimberley entrepreneur is taking the Northern Cape onto the national stage after being selected among the ten top finalists in the MTN Women in Digital Business Challenge.
Through Phaveau Beauty, a technology-driven beauty venture Charmonè Blennies is building with her business partner, the partners are exploring how technology can be used to make beauty services more innovative, convenient, time-efficient and accessible.
The concept was born from a belief that the beauty industry should continue to evolve alongside technology. Phaveau Beauty is particularly focused on introducing technology into the beauty experience, including innovative nail solutions, whilst creating a modern offering that responds to the way women live and engage with beauty today.
Although the business is still in its early stages, the vision extends beyond providing beauty services. The partners aim to create opportunities for employment, skills development, training and entrepreneurship, whilst demonstrating that innovation and technology can thrive beyond traditionally recognised technology industries.
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A platform for growth
Being selected as one of the ten finalists in September has provided an important opportunity for Phaveau Beauty to gain exposure, knowledge, mentorship and networks that can help strengthen the business and move its vision closer to reality. The selection also came with business funding.
For the Kimberley entrepreneur, the recognition carries a deeper significance: showing that innovative ideas can be developed from smaller cities and communities and still have the potential to reach a national platform.
She expressed her appreciation to MTN Foundation and the EBL Institute of Business and Technology for creating a platform that supports and develops women entrepreneurs and provides them with access to opportunities that can help turn innovative ideas into sustainable businesses.
The journey ahead for Phaveau Beauty is one of growth, learning and continued innovation, with the partners focused on building a beauty business that demonstrates what becomes possible when technology and creativity intersect.
Fifth edition
This year’s edition was the fifth Women in Digital Business Challenge, supporting black women-owned ICT and digital businesses through business-development support, mentorship, skills development and market access opportunities.
Delivered in partnership with the EBL Institute of Business and Technology, Datacomb Development Hub and the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the programme has supported 40 businesses since 2022. Collectively, participating businesses have reported creating or sustaining 173 jobs and generating more than R14.7 million in revenue.
Staff reporter
novanews.co.za
