In the vibrant city of Pretoria, a young girl named Pontsho Dibakwane first cultivated her dreams amid the rich tapestry of South African culture and community. Today, she stands as a pioneering entrepreneur, the founding director of Curly Crowns, a natural hair care brand that has become a beacon of empowerment and innovation within the black community. Her journey is one of resilience, passion and unwavering commitment to redefining beauty standards and creating opportunities for women.
Roots and Early Life
Born and raised in the Mamelodi area of Pretoria, Pontsho’s early years were marked by her mother’s nurturing care of her hair.
She recalls: “As a child, my mother always took care of my hair in a very unique way. I remember how I was always complimented that I had the most beautiful hair.”
Her mother’s meticulous approach instilled in her a deep appreciation for natural hair and its inherent beauty. However, as she grew older, societal pressures began to impact her perception of beauty.
Pontsho describes the transition vividly: “As we grow, we succumbed to the pressures of European beauty standards that later damaged and left me frustrated.”
Like many young women, she faced the harsh realities of conforming to Eurocentric ideals, which often meant altering her natural hair through relaxers and other chemical treatments. Her experience in the corporate world further compounded these challenges, as maintaining natural hair became increasingly difficult due to time constraints and the high costs of salon visits.
“Relying on local salons became very expensive, and relaxers were damaging and painful,” she explains.
A Personal Epiphany and the Birth of Curly Crowns
Despite her professional success, Pontsho’s personal struggles with her hair became a catalyst for change.
“During my employment, I was struggling with my hair, trying different products but nothing worked,” she reveals.
This daily conversation among her and other black female colleagues highlighted a common challenge: a lack of understanding about their own hair. She realized that many black women did not fully comprehend their hair’s nature, leading them to conform to mainstream beauty standards to validate their appearance.
The turning point came during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In 2021, after my company closed down, I had my Eureka moment,” Pontsho shares.
Recognizing an opportunity to make a difference, she decided to formalize her passion into a business. Thus, Curly Crowns Hair Care was born, a brand dedicated to creating natural, botanical-based hair products that nourish, strengthen and celebrate black hair.
“We manufacture natural hair care products using natural botanical extracts that nourish hair and address challenges most black women face, like hair growth, length retention, moisture retention, softness and shine,” she says proudly.
Today, her company employs a team of five, each committed to her vision of empowering women through quality hair care solutions.
Business Evolution and Market Adaptation
Since its inception, Curly Crowns has evolved significantly. “The journey has been illuminating,” Pontsho notes. The natural hair care industry is dynamic, with trends constantly shifting. To stay relevant, her team continuously conducts feasibility studies and engages actively with their consumers.
“We don’t just address what we want. We listen to our customers to provide the best products that meet their evolving needs,” she emphasizes.
This commitment to adaptability ensures that her brand remains at the forefront of the natural hair movement. By staying attuned to consumer feedback and industry trends, Pontsho’s business can innovate and introduce new solutions tailored to her community’s needs.
Learning Business Fundamentals
Like many entrepreneurs, Pontsho faced hurdles along her journey. One of the primary challenges was understanding the fundamentals of compliance and good business practices. “I was new to the industry and didn’t understand much about having good practices, policies, and certifications,” she admits candidly.
Navigating regulatory requirements and establishing quality standards required her to learn and adapt quickly.
Nevertheless, her resilience and willingness to grow helped her overcome these obstacles.
“Attending entrepreneurship programs and furthering my studies at Nelson Mandela University in Cosmetic Formulation has been instrumental,” she states. These educational pursuits have not only enhanced her product development capabilities but also cemented her commitment to delivering high-quality products.
Achievements and Milestones
Among her proudest achievements is the formalization of Curly Crowns. “Getting our business and concept fully formalized was a significant milestone,” she asserts. This process provided her with legitimacy and opened doors to new opportunities. Attending entrepreneurial programs further shaped her both professionally and personally, fostering leadership and strategic thinking.
Her dedication to continuous learning led her to study cosmetic formulation at Nelson Mandela University, which elevated her product quality and innovation. “This has advanced our product development, enabling us to produce high-quality, effective natural hair care products,” she explains.
Women’s Empowerment and Community Engagement
Beyond business success, Pontsho is deeply passionate about women’s empowerment. She believes that entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for transformation and upliftment. “I am passionate about women empowerment, and we have recently collaborated with community projects that enable us to give back to young and old women,” she shares. Through these initiatives, she offers business consultations and mentorship, aiming to help women establish and grow their own ventures.
Her belief in collective upliftment is rooted in her own experiences. “Most young people in South Africa own a smartphone and have access to data,” she notes. “It’s what you do with it that matters.” Pontsho encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage available resources, do their research and take bold steps toward their dreams.
Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Pontsho’s journey is an inspiring testament to perseverance and proactive learning. She often advises her mentees, “Start, start, start… advertise, and don’t be afraid to take that first step.” She emphasizes the importance of resilience and the willingness to learn from every opportunity, big or small.
“Most importantly,” she says, “do your research, follow the right institutions on social media, and empower yourself with educational materials.”
Future Plans and Exciting Developments
Looking ahead, Curly Crowns is poised for significant growth. “We are excited to announce that we will be officially trading on Takealot and Makro,” Pontsho reveals. This expansion into retail platforms will increase accessibility for customers across South Africa. Negotiations are also underway with other retail stores and the company plans to commence school visits to empower young girls with knowledge about natural hair care.
Her vision extends beyond sales growth. “We want to inspire young girls to embrace their natural hair and see it as a symbol of beauty and confidence,” she affirms. These outreach initiatives aim to foster a positive self-image and promote natural hair acceptance.
Lessons Learned and Words of Wisdom
Pontsho attributes her entrepreneurial resilience to core values of discipline, commitment and resilience. “Discipline, commitment and resilience have been my biggest lessons,” she reflects. She emphasizes that “there is no such thing as a small opportunity because every opportunity that helps your business grow is significant.” Her journey continues to be one of growth, learning as well as giving back.
A Vision for the Future
Pontsho Dibakwane’s story is a compelling narrative of her transformation from a young girl admiring her natural hair to a formidable entrepreneur championing natural beauty and women’s empowerment. Her journey underscores the importance of self-acceptance, continuous learning and community upliftment.
Through Curly Crowns, she has created a platform that not only offers high-quality products but also fosters confidence and pride among women. Her dedication to empowering others and challenging societal standards positions her as a trailblazer and a true embodiment of resilience and purpose.
As she continues to expand her brand, Pontsho remains committed to her core mission to celebrate natural hair, empower women and impact her community positively. Her story inspires countless others to pursue their dreams relentlessly, reminding us all that with passion, perseverance and a clear vision we can transform challenges into opportunities and dreams into reality.
