Meet the Absa Small Business Friday featured Small Business of the week – Gifted by Matte.
Launched in May 2022, Gifted by Matte is committed to creating products that not only enhance the ambience of your personal space but also promote sustainability, use natural ingredients, and develop eco-consciousness.
Gifted By Matte was born out of Keabetsoe Matshediso’s personal love for spaces that smell beautiful. She has always believed in the transformative power of scents to create ambiance, evoke emotions, and make memories. Beautifully scented spaces have the ability to uplift, relax, and inspire, and she wanted to bring this experience not only to herself but to others as well. Keabetsoe realized that fragrances have the unique ability to leave a lasting impression, and she wanted to create signature scents that would not just be appealing to her but would also resonate with people from all walks of life.
With her savings, Gifted by Matte began as a small, home-based venture, driven by a commitment to craft high-quality, natural, and eco-conscious scented products that could transform any personal space into a haven of beauty and tranquillity.
They started with a modest selection of scented candles and have expanded their product line to include mould candles, diffusers and body care items. Currently an online store, they hope to have a brick-and-mortar store in the future.
With their dedication to responsible entrepreneurship, they ensure that they use eco-friendly practices in the production of their products. They use soy wax, cotton-based wicks and recyclable packaging.
Keabetsoe Matshediso’s entrepreneurial journey has been filled with dedication, perseverance, and a deep commitment to the business’s vision and values. To ensure growth in her journey, she has stayed informed and open to new ideas. She also believes resourcefulness is a key to her success as she has had to navigate some challenges in unique ways.
Keabetsoe has faced many of the common challenges that entrepreneurs face. Two of the most common being facing competition and maintaining product quality. To stay ahead of her competition, she has to be continually innovating. This has meant introducing new product lines, introducing new fragrances and experimenting with package design.
As for maintaining quality, Gifted by Matte has to maintain a rigorous quality control process, source the finest ingredients, and prioritise craftsmanship.
In the future, Gifted by Matte envisions significant growth and expansion that combines both the physical and online presence to better serve our customers.
Gifted by Matte was chosen to receive a Top 5 Startup Award at the South African Small Business Awards 2023.