Tanya du Bois turned a family challenge into a South African beauty business

Tanya du Bois, a mother from South Africa, transformed her personal quest for natural skincare products into a thriving beauty business called Naturals Beauty. After nearly two decades in operation, she was awarded the 2026 Nedbank Business Ignite competition, which recognizes entrepreneurs facing challenges and developing solutions.

Initially, du Bois, with no cosmetic science background, researched ingredients and experimented at home, using a 1960s home-remedies book from her grandmother as a guide. Her homemade products initially catered to her family, but friends and other mothers soon asked where they could purchase the same items. This growing demand eventually led to the establishment of Naturals Beauty.

Building the company was a gradual process, with small decisions driving growth. The business expanded beyond homemade formulations as demand increased, finding a reliable cosmetic chemist to create high-quality products. Du Bois learned to seek expertise when needed, understanding that it's essential to know when to back oneself and when to lean on others.

The company has also grown alongside her family, with new product lines inspired by her children's needs. The challenges faced by du Bois, including economic downturns, Covid-19, rising input costs, and supply-chain problems, have tested her resilience. However, these experiences have shaped her leadership style, emphasizing practicality, seeking help when needed, and building strong relationships.

Today, Naturals Beauty offers bespoke product-development services to other businesses, leveraging du Bois's extensive knowledge of formulation, ingredient sourcing, packaging, and compliance. She sees great potential in using her expertise to support other South African businesses in bringing innovative products to market.