In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, few stories capture both heart and ambition quite like that of Karabo Molebatsi, founder of Scented by Karabo Pty Ltd. What began as a personal passion for home fragrances has blossomed into a thriving business, offering high-quality, handcrafted scented candles, reed diffusers, wax melts, and linen & room mists. Driven by a love for the calming power of fragrances and a strong belief in sustainable, eco-friendly products, Karabo has built a brand that brings tranquility into homes while staying environmentally conscious.
Origin and Inspiration
A Passion Turned Business
Karabo Molebatsi, the founder of Scented by Karabo Pty Ltd, didn’t set out with a traditional entrepreneurial journey in mind. By profession, she is a Human Capital Business Partner and a certified change management practitioner. With a BCom Honours degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, her background equipped her with a deep understanding of human behavior—an expertise that would later influence her business.
Karabo’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a personal passion. “I started my business because I turned a passion into something I could gain revenue from,” she says. A regular buyer of scented candles and diffusers, Karabo’s interest piqued when she decided to learn how to make these products herself. Once she mastered the craft for her household, she researched how to transform this hobby into a business. This marked the inception of Scented by Karabo, a business dedicated to bringing tranquility and quality into homes through handcrafted home fragrance products.
The Power of Scent
Karabo’s background in psychology gave her a unique perspective on the power of scent and its impact on human behavior. “There is a lot of influence that scent/fragrance has on a person. For example, a eucalyptus or tea tree fragrance has numerous health benefits; it can assist one in breathing well. For a calming scent, one could try out Ylang Ylang or anything with vanilla,” Karabo explains. This understanding of the psychological and physiological effects of fragrances became a cornerstone of her business philosophy.
Business Overview
A Vision Rooted in Quality and Sustainability
Established in 2021, Scented by Karabo Pty Ltd is a 100% black female-owned South African business. Karabo’s company is committed to producing high-quality, luxury handcrafted home fragrance products, including scented candles, reed diffusers, wax melts, and linen & room mists. What sets Scented by Karabo apart is its dedication to using environmentally friendly raw materials, ensuring that their products are not only luxurious but also safe and sustainable.
“We utilize environmentally friendly raw materials to produce our products,” Karabo emphasizes. “Our candles are made up of 100% natural soy wax, which is a non-toxic material, making it safe to use around kids in your home. It burns much slower, offering longer usage of your product, and the scent throw is much stronger.” The recyclable jars used for the candles and diffusers, along with vibrant and bright labels, add an aesthetic touch to any space while promoting eco-friendly practices.
Empowering the Community
Karabo’s vision for her business extends beyond the products themselves. “Our vision is to be well recognized countrywide for our exceptional products, to empower, and to grow the community,” she says. With a mission to bring tranquility into homes through superior quality products, Scented by Karabo is not just about selling candles and diffusers; it’s about making a positive impact on the environment and the community.
Challenges and Overcoming Them
Funding and Space Limitations
Like many entrepreneurs, Karabo faced significant challenges in the early stages of her business. “The first challenge I experienced when starting my business was funding,” she recalls. With a clear idea and thorough research, Karabo started small, using her savings from her 9-to-5 job to purchase the bare necessities. For months, she reinvested every bit of revenue back into the business, gradually acquiring more machinery and better packaging.
Another challenge was space. “I needed to start working from my home, which I currently still do,” Karabo explains. Although she plans to move to a larger space as her business grows, working from home was a practical decision to avoid the high costs of renting a warehouse or showroom.
Persistence in a Saturated Market
Breaking into an already saturated market was another hurdle. However, Karabo’s passion for her craft and her drive to achieve more kept her going, even during tough times. “Reflecting on how far I have come really gives me the much-needed push to carry on during those times when things might seem not to go well,” she says.
Business Strategy
Self-Funding and Strategic Marketing
Karabo’s journey is a testament to the power of self-funding and strategic marketing. “I am self-funded, so everything from when I started the business solely came from my own pocket,” she notes. Leveraging social media has been a crucial part of her marketing strategy. Through reels, live sessions, and promotions to boost adverts, Karabo has successfully grown her brand’s online presence and attracted more customers.
Word of mouth has also played a significant role in her business growth. Additionally, Karabo attends markets to interact with customers face-to-face and increase brand awareness.
Learning and Growth
The Importance of Research and Networking
For Karabo, continuous learning and research have been key to her success. “Research, research, research—don’t be lazy to do research because this will open up a lot of doors for you,” she advises. She intentionally follows young entrepreneurs and brands she resonates with, learning from how they handle their pages and gaining access to valuable information.
Karabo also emphasizes the importance of networking. “I am a Proudly SA member, and they hold a lot of different webinars throughout the year. Attending these helps me keep up with trends in the market,” she says. By investing in business seminars and building a network within the entrepreneurial community, Karabo continues to expand her knowledge and grow her business.
Balancing Life and Work
The Art of Prioritization
Balancing a full-time job, being a wife and mother, and running a business is no small feat. For Karabo, prioritization is key. “Most of my time during the week is dedicated to my 9-5. However, after hours and weekends, I balance my hours between the business and personal life,” she explains.
Karabo also highlights the importance of having a strong support structure at home. “Having a good support structure at home plays a vital role in the success of your business,” she says. She believes in giving herself permission to relax with family when needed, as this helps her unwind and refresh.
Advice and Vision
Starting Small and Being Prepared
Karabo’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: “Start with what you have and be willing to do research and put in the hard work.” She emphasizes the importance of having your paperwork in order, from formal business registration to keeping up with taxes and BBBEE status. “There is a saying that goes, ‘Luck is when preparation meets opportunity,’ so let that be you—always be ready because your big break can come knocking at any moment in your journey,” she advises.
Looking ahead, Karabo’s long-term vision is to have a warehouse or showroom where her business will operate. She aims to employ youth, offering them not just jobs but lifetime skills, ensuring that the quality of her handcrafted products is maintained throughout.
Reflection and Impact
Recognition and Community Contribution
Reflecting on her journey, Karabo is proud of her achievements. “I am proud to have become a Proudly SA member. I am in the running for an award for the 2024 She Big 4 Awards under the category of Founder of the Year,” she shares. Karabo’s business has also earned her nominations in the Foya Global Awards 2024 and the Bosslane Dare to Be 2024 Awards.
Beyond personal accolades, Karabo is committed to contributing to the community. “I would like to contribute to the community by fighting the unemployment rate among the youth. The more people I can hire, the more families can be impacted positively,” she says. She also hopes to educate people about fragrance and its impact on human beings.
No Regrets, Only Growth
If given the chance to start over, Karabo wouldn’t change a thing. “The journey I have walked so far has taught me the importance of working hard and believing in myself,” she reflects. Karabo’s entrepreneurial journey is a powerful example of turning passion into profit, persisting through challenges, and striving for growth both personally and within the community.
As she looks to the future, Karabo is determine to do more and achieve greatness, driven by her favorite quote: “Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself” – Roy T. Bennett.
What’s Next?
Karabo’s journey with Scented by Karabo is far from over. With exciting plans to expand her business, including launching her products on the Proudly SA eCommerce site and eventually moving to a larger business space, Karabo’s future looks bright. Her dedication to quality, sustainability, and community empowerment ensures that Scented by Karabo will continue to grow and leave a lasting impact.
For those looking to indulge in luxurious, handcrafted home fragrance products, Scented by Karabo is a brand that not only delivers exceptional quality but also embodies the spirit of resilience, innovation, and social responsibility.
