SALM TEAM 
The story of PerfumeCo Africa starts in Bathabile’s Pretoria home, where she began experimenting with different perfume formulations. However, Bathabile’s vision extended far beyond the pursuit of beautiful scents. Her dream was to start making small income which lead her to build a business with a purpose—a business that could uplift others. I wanted to do more than just sell a product after I saw the impact of covid-19 to many families,” Bathabile explains. “I wanted to create opportunities for people, particularly those who have been marginalized and don’t have access to formal employment.”
The heart of The Perfume Co. Africa lies in its unique approach to entrepreneurship. Bathabile has created a model where individuals, particularly women and young people from underprivileged backgrounds, are trained in perfume making, sales, and marketing. Once equipped with the skills, they can run their own small perfume businesses under the PerfumeCo brand, earning a sustainable income. “I wanted to make entrepreneurship accessible to people who didn’t have the means to start big,” Bathile says. “With PerfumeCo, you don’t need huge capital. You just need the willingness to learn and a passion for growth.”
Bathile’s business model has already impacted hundreds of lives across South Africa. Through her training programs, many individuals have been able to break free from the cycle of poverty. The program offers not just financial opportunity, but also a sense of dignity and empowerment.
Bathabile reflects on the importance of the emotional transformation that comes with economic empowerment. “It’s not just about making money,” she explains. “It’s about seeing people regain their confidence, realizing their potential, and feeling like they have control over their lives. That’s the real reward for me.”
One of the key aspects of The Perfume Co. Africa is its focus on mentorship. Bathabile understands that starting a business can be daunting, especially for those who have never been in such a position before. To address this, she has developed a support system where new entrepreneurs are guided through their journey by experienced mentors. These mentors help them navigate challenges, from product development to marketing strategies, ensuring that they are not just equipped with skills, but also with the confidence to succeed.
“The biggest challenge for many of the people we work with is believing that they can do it,” Bathabile says. “Many have been told their whole lives that they don’t have the ability to achieve something significant. The Perfume Co. Africa is not just about perfume; it’s about breaking those mental barriers and empowering people to dream bigger.”
In a country like South Africa, where youth unemployment remains one of the highest in the world, Bathabile’s initiative is offering a fresh perspective on how entrepreneurship can be used as a tool for social change. She believes that small businesses, when nurtured and supported, can become catalysts for broader economic growth. “We can’t all wait for big corporations or the government to solve these issues,” she says. “Sometimes, the solutions lie in small, community-driven initiatives like ours. We have the power to create change, one step at a time.”
The feedback from participants in the *Perfume Co Africa* program has been overwhelmingly positive. Many who joined the program with no prior business experience are now running profitable perfume businesses and supporting their families. One such success story is that of Thandi, a single mother from Soweto, who joined PerfumeCo Africa in 2022. After completing her training, she began selling perfumes in her community and now earns enough to support her children and pay for their education. “I never thought I could own a business,” Thandi says. “But Bathabile and PerfumeCo gave me the tools and the belief that I could make it happen.”
For Bathabile, these stories of transformation are the driving force behind her work. She sees the ripple effect of economic empowerment, how one person’s success can lift an entire family or community. It’s this vision that keeps her motivated, despite the challenges that come with running a business. “There have been times when it’s been tough,” she admits. “But every time I see someone succeed, it reminds me why I started this journey.”
Looking ahead, Bathabile has big plans for The PerfumeCo. Africa. She aims to expand the business model into other African countries, bringing her vision of economic empowerment to even more people across the continent. “Africa has so much untapped potential,” she says. “Our people are innovative, resilient, and hardworking. We just need more platforms like this to help them realize their potential.”
As she continues to grow her business, Bathabile remains grounded in her mission to make a difference. “At the end of the day, it’s not about how many bottles of perfume we sell,” she reflects. “It’s about how many lives we change. That’s what matters most to me.”
Dj Chilu 
