BY TEWODROS KASSA
She had served as a flight attendant at the Ethiopian Airlines for a couple of years. Following this, she had the opportunity to visit various countries and gain local and international experiences to reach her current position.
Being a flight attendant always requires more readiness to serve guests with a welcoming look. Thus, she is always ready for learning and cultivating new ideas in her profession. She uttered that joining this profession immensely helped her to open a new chapter in her current life.
She was always at work and ready to welcome Airline’s customers with a bright face and heart-warming greetings. Her international travel opportunities also helped her to collect and use the latest hair and face cosmetic products from different countries.
However, the type of cosmetic items she used to beautify herself did not give her comfort for the reason the products were not suitable to her. Gradually, she started feeling and seeing some side effects on her skin as she continued using the cosmetics. At this point, she had to make a decision. Then, she investigated the causes with her own and decided to quit consuming any cosmetics in order to save her natural beauty.
And Meron Nega, former member of the Ethiopian Airlines; but now Owner and CEO of Ennet Earth Organic Beauty Products, did it. She quits using cosmetics that are made from a range of industrial chemicals immediately.
As Meron told to the Ethiopian Press Agency, she recalled that the cosmetic products that she used to buy had a negative effect on her skin. In the past, when buying and using cosmetics, she did not give any attention to the ingredients/chemicals/ added in them. As a result, they caused side effects on her skin; which in turn inspired her to shift into organic products.
After she quit using such cosmetics, she has come up with a new idea of switching to naturally made cosmetic products. Prioritizing organic products becomes her final decision to sustain her magnificent beauty as it is. To implement her new decision, she first started reading and researching more about organic cosmetic products. She then learned that, these organic products have many health benefits if properly prepared and used. In the same way, she prepared her own cosmetic products for the first time and tested it on herself. She noticed that, the results were amazing and that her skin had changed through time. As there is a solution to all problems, she solved her problem in this way. But after solving her problem,
she did not want to stay silent about her new finding. Instead, she understood that the solution she came up with for herself would be useful for others too. Then, she decided to produce natural cosmetic products as her full-time career. She resigned from her job as a flight attendant at the Airline; she dedicated her full time and attention in producing organic cosmetic products.
Since 2018, she has been producing and supplying various organic beauty products to the market. Currently, a few ladies who understand well the benefits of natural products are using her products. She is confident that, numerous Ethiopians will give recognition to organic products; and prefer her cosmetic products in the future.
As she stated; she prepares these organic cosmetic items from various plants. She explains that, she noticed an immediate change in her skin as soon as she started using her organic cosmetic products. Following the encouraging improvements on her skin, she began to think that she needs to empower herself through training and scrutinize other international experiences.
Accordingly, after taking different trainings, she strived to get an international certificate in the area; and learnt how to prepare safe, effective skin soaps naturally. She began producing facial soaps in 2018 using domestic raw materials, especially bamboo. In the process, she has been able to produce various liquid beauty products from carrots, avocados and cactus plants.
The wide availability of an exotic Moringa plant that sought to alleviate numerous diseases in the country motivated her to produce more organic cosmetic products from this plant and supply to the local markets.
Currently, she is witnessing a good progress in the organic cosmetic products and the business is promising to her. However, it took her a long time to create awareness among consumers and to make her products acceptable in the market. She pointed out that, those who understand the benefits of organic beauty products are using her products.
She said that, the organic cosmetic products are produced right here in Addis Ababa, Lafto Sub-City, and displayed them in her medium cosmetic shop at Bole Medhanialem Mall for local customers.
According to her, the products are also available in Bambis Supermarket, inside Entoto Park, and distributed in different parts of the country. Although various machines are used to produce the cosmetic products, the final products are mostly produced by hand to keep the organic processes. She employs more than 12 people to be involved in this production process.
Currently, her organization produces three types of soaps. One of these is a soap made from bamboo, which is turned into charcoal and then added with avocado oil. This is very useful for removing pimples
on the face. It also removes unnecessary impurities from the skin. The second is a type of soap made from the Moringa plant and; as to her; helps maintain the health of sensitive and delicate facial skin. The third type of soap is made from cinnamon and is used for acne and especially for people with two types of facial skin. There are also other organic cosmetic products that are used as skincare treatments- to soothe sun-damaged skin, prevent premature skin aging, soften hair that are free from any chemical and rich with various vitamins. As the products are mostly prepared from edible oil and plants, they do not contain any harmful chemicals and do not cause any harm. For this, the products have been tested and certified by the Ethiopian Standards Agency.
Meron has now created job opportunity for citizens. She also aspires to penetrate widely in the cosmetics market. Most importantly, she dreams to witness “women’s can do attitude” and become influential in her journey.
In sum, having such products gives new insights towards other entrepreneurs to start creative businesses. Moreover, creating awareness on the value of organic products is important to promote such businesses.
Currently, availing organic products to the market is gaining momentum in the country following the need to avoid any harmful impacts of industrially processed products.
The Ethiopian Herald December 15/2022
