Africa-Press – Eswatini. A third-year Public Relations student at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology (LUCT) has turned a simple idea into a growing entrepreneurial journey, expanding from liquid soap production into the beauty industry while pursuing her studies.
Nokuphila Mahlalela, an entrepreneur from Bhunya, revealed this during an interview with this publication on December 31, 2025. Nokuphila is the founder of a liquid soap business that began during her first year at university and has since grown to include ladies’ eyelash installation services.
Her journey reflects a young woman’s determination to achieve financial independence while pursuing higher education, turning everyday needs into viable business opportunities.
She initially identified a constant demand for affordable and effective cleaning products within her community and among students, prompting her to begin producing liquid soap on a small scale.
As the business gained traction, she not only improved production and packaging but also diversified into lash installation after noticing a growing interest in beauty and self-care services among young women, particularly students.
Her academic training In Public Relations has played a key role in shaping her entrepreneurial success. Through her studies, she has gained practical knowledge in branding, customer relations and communication strategies, which she applies in promoting her products and services through social media, word-of-mouth and direct customer engagement.
The university environment provided a ready market for both ventures, allowing her to test products, gather feedback and refine her offerings. Students and staff became early customers, contributing to the steady growth of her businesses.
The Initial capital came from personal savings and small family contributions, with profits consistently reinvested to purchase raw materials, improve packaging and acquire professional lash installation tools. This approach enabled gradual but sustainable growth.
Balancing academic responsibilities with business demands has been challenging, particularly with limited capital and market competition. However, Mahlalela has learned to manage her time effectively by delivering liquid soap around campus before or after lectures and offering lash installation services during free periods.
Looking to the future, she aims to formalise and expand both businesses by registering them, strengthening branding, distributing liquid soap to retail outlets and growing her lash services into a recognised beauty brand. Her story highlights the power of initiative and resilience, showing how student entrepreneurship can flourish when education meets opportunity.
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