South Africa - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

We are a small organization based in a small township in the East Rand called Tsakane. We are a company that resells our branded cleaning chemicals, however the primary focus is our washing powder. The gaol is to manufacture cleaning chemicals.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

So, labubbles was started because of a really sentimental reason. We grew up in a home where both of our parents were unemployed, meaning that we would sometimes lack the most basic things such as cleaning detergents. I saw the emotional impact that had on my parents, so, I came up with a solution. Firstly, I employed my mom, giving her a source of income and some form of stability. secondly, I would give people cleaning products on credit and they would pay on SASSA grant dates. So, because most of my clients are unemployed, I gave them a referral opportunity. For every 10 referrals, R100 is earned. So in a nutshell, I started this to make a difference in peoples lives, and the only way that made sense at the time was to identify a need and satisfy it while helping others. Not only do we supply household, we also supply small businesses with products.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

First problem, unemployment. Second problem, Shortage of goods mid-month Third problem, Offering quality goods at a discounted price Fourth problem, supplying businesses with quality products

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Advantages. Availability, Affordability, High quality, Feedback is taken seriously and we empower our customers. Disadvantages. Launching a new brand is not easy as people don't trust it as yet, getting our product in retailers

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The target market includes the following; people with aged 18-35 at entry level jobs People who are unemployed and have more than 1 child and earn a relief fund Grannies who depend on SASSA and are raising grandchildren Car washes, laundromats, funeral homes, fast food spots

01.05 When was your company established?

2023-10-17

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Unfortunately I am the sole owner of the organization. I am currently studing EMS with UNISA as well as completing my marketing diploma with the Ekurhuleni East TVET College.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://labubblesptyltd.savvy.site/ ; https://www.instagram.com/p/C7vWvVvI6Y4/?igsh=YzljYTk1ODg3Zg== ; https://www.instagram.com/p/C7vWvVvI6Y4/?igsh=YzljYTk1ODg3Zg== : https://x.com/LabubblesL62132?t=ERXin3Lj7rnro9qvPEtTMQ&s=09

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

We started this organization as a counterattack to poverty. We want people to have a source of income and afford food and basic things. When our goal of manufacturing becomes a success, we will hire more than 500 people in Tsakane. That will have a much greater impact than what we do to give back currently. We give 5kg washing powder to an orphanage in Tsakane every month, it is not a lot, however, it is the only thing our business can afford to do at the moment.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

Our organizations aims to give people the funds to purchase food, however, we are not in any agricultural or food related industry.

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Our organization helps people save and make money, therefore allowing them to have additional funds to take care of themselves. Our staff, when the time comes, will have a subsidy that will assist them with gym membership and gift cards for nutritious food.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

All of our staff is encouraged to enroll in TVET colleges where they will receive their diplomas and graduate. The TVET system will allow us to host N6 students for their in-service training this will give them both work and an education.

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

We are planning on hosting an event that will be sponsored by different individuals. This will allow us to provide inventory to women who are in toxic situations regain their power.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

5

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

We have different sponsorship programs that will be helping children in high schools with sanitary towels and related. We however cannot do more than that.

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

We want to ensure that people make a living through honest means. The store that we ae currently working on will allow us to hire sales people, receptionist, cleaners... and more.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

We are planning on building a factory in the township. A factory that will manufacture cleaning products and resell them to the public. We want to build a factory that people can buy directly from and resell to people from other areas.

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

We want to ensure that there is no inequality in our organization. Making sure that we include people of ages 18-59, both male and females, members of the LGBTQIA as well as people living with disabilities.

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

We want to take care of the mmunity to CSR as well as through providing employment for people.

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

We sell our products in quantities that are sustainable and at an affordable price. This prohibits people from over purchasing products.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

We do not use any chemicals that emit harmful gasses, we use recycled materials and we do most our deliveries through public transport.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

We use recycled materials for our packaging, therefore meaning that we prioritize keeping our oceans clean, even though we can do more.

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Well, we might not contribute to this here movement currently, however, we are willing to participate in any way that will make a difference.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

Our organization makes money through sustainable and responsible ways. We are then excellent ambassadors for this here partnership. We are excellent examples of what the partnership stands for.

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

4

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

3

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

3

06.08 Justification for my startup

I will put it out there that our product is not entirely unique or completely new, the main goal behind creating this business was to hire people and satisfy a need. The only thing that we want to see, is 1 person employed in every household, whether in sales or packaging or in manufacturing in the long run, people having access to clean clothes and people having access to affordable cleaning products.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Yakgona washing powder UWash washing powder We are working towards getting our product in retailers as well as wholesalers, we have a personal relationship with our customers, we hire our customers to be sales people, we collect payment on the days that are convenient for our customers.

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

Yes, we are planning an event where female entrepreneurs in the township can learn about how to register a business as well as share the little information that we have on how to run a business. Women in our township are sometimes subjected to domestic abuse and they stay because they cannot afford to leave those relationships, so giving them tools as well as education will allow them to break free. We are also planning to find sponsors that will fund women who are in toxic environments to start their own businesses.