By Founders of Golden Hour Skincare, Bonolo Matjila and Patience Kunene are disrupting the beauty industry with their groundbreaking 4-step offering. Their company creates environmentally sustainable, gender-inclusive skincare kits designed to holistically address targeted skincare concerns.
The beauty landscape is ever evolving, and conversations around skincare are taking center stage as more individuals seek to find visibility within this space. Enter Bonolo Matjila and Patience Kunene Patience; the best friends ventured into the skincare space after they identified a gap in the market. And as the brains behind the inclusive brand, they complement each other perfectly. Bonolo leads the strategic and operational development of the venture while Patience oversees tax, finances, inventory management, strategic growth and development, as well as company compliance.
The synergy between them reflects their mutual determination and entrepreneurial mindset., “I’ve always had a zeal for entrepreneurship,” shares Bonolo who started selling snacks at her school’s tuck shop at just 9-years old. “When I was 15, I channeled my energy into tackling child malnutrition. My team and I created a social venture called Paragon Protein, which sold affordable Spirulina products.” Their mission was to offer low-cost meal supplements to the community and to fund a project that taught students how to grow this superfood in their own homes. Their hard work paid off when they won the 2014 Innovate South Africa contest, and Bonolo was invited to speak at the prestigious 2014 Techonomy conference in San Francisco.” Fast forward to 2021, fuelled by her passion for problem-solving and value-creation through entrepreneurship, she was propelled to co-found Golden Hour Skincare. She spent two years leading the formulation of the company’s first four products, developing the business infrastructure, and raising initial capital.
At just 24, Patience serves as the director of Golden Hour Skincare. Just like her best friend and business partner, Bonolo, her entrepreneurial roots can also be traced back to her early childhood. At just 12 years old, she took a bold leap and founded her very own chip selling business. “Operating within the confines of the school, I strategically positioned my enterprise to cater to my fellow students’ snack cravings.” Through her hard work and resourcefulness, she quickly became the go-to source for delicious treats during school breaks. With a strong foundation in law, she earned her LLB degree from the University of Pretoria, and completed her articles in law. Not limited to law, Patience has also explored the world of business and entrepreneurship. And successfully completed a business startup school course with Investec.
With such an impressive resume, one might wonder how she juggles her priorities. Patience affirms that her true passion lies in her role as the co-founder and director of Golden Hour Skincare. “This venture reflects my entrepreneurial spirit, creativity, and deep commitment to skincare.” Golden Hour Skincare, under her leadership, has become a growing brand known for its high-quality ingredients and natural skincare products. With a focus on innovation and sustainability, she has successfully navigated the complexities of product development, marketing strategies, and sales. Positioning Golden Hour Skincare as a trusted and sought-after brand in the industry.