Local markets give new life after retrenchment for local artisan
Selling her innovative line of homemade beauty products at local markets helped woman find herself again.
Life does not just kick her down and she stays down. After being retrenched at 46 years old, Leigh-Ann Harris did not give up on life. She saw this as an opportunity to grow and start something that would become a legacy. Something for her to look back on and say I achieved a lot.
Harris started making beauty products which she sold at markets, something she credits for changing her circumstances and giving her a new outlook on life.
“Interacting with different people and listening to their stories reminds you of how lucky you are to have the things you have. I started making my products for myself and later realised the kind of impact they have. I then started selling them to my friends for a living.”
She did not only want to sell beauty products though, but she also wanted to sell products that are eco-friendly, natural, and vegan.
“I make these skincare products because I wasn’t seeing any benefits from the expensive commercial products I was buying. I started with a simple oil-based product that I could just mix. I eventually studied for a Diploma in Skincare Formulation at the School of Natural Skincare.”
Her plant-based products have no artificial colourants or fragrances. “I formulate with butters such as cocoa butter and carrier oils. Other ingredients are botanical extracts, essential oils, and functional ingredients like hyaluronic acid, fruit acids, vitamins A, B3, C and E.”
‘Lightworks’ has been her bundle of joy since she began, and she has never looked back. She has poured her heart and soul into it and markets are the kind of platform she wants to sell her products.
“You interact with people and tell them what is special about your product and the support I have received helps me a lot. It is like having a family away from home.”
One of her favourite markets is the Fourways Rustic and Gourmet Market as it is a vegan vegetarian market. “I also really want to start being at Cedar Square. Hopefully, I will open there at the end of the month.”
She later realised that being retrenched was a blessing in disguise. “I never thought I would have my own business. I am succeeding now and doing what I love. I would not have it any other way.”
She said her family members are her biggest supporters. “Especially my brother. He comes to the markets with me and sees what I do. I appreciate all the people who support me through this little dream that will one day hopefully become something even bigger.”
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