#WIB – Q&A With Robyn Kramer Founder Of The My Abby Range
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. I’m the proud owner of My Abby Abyssinian™ a gentle, 100% natural, clinically supported skin and haircare range. The trademarked, patented and tested range performs exceptionally well and provides you with strong, hydrated, naturally healthy and glossy hair and glowing, healthy skin. My Abby’s active ingredient is the incredibly effective Abyssinian oil.
It’s sourced from the Crambe Abyssinica plant (native to the African highlands) which is renowned for high amounts of naturally-occurring essential fatty acids. This makes it a protective dual-purpose oil for both skin and hair care. This luxurious, lightweight oil has tested extremely well against other traditional oil types and has outperformed them consistently in terms of both quality and results. What sets me apart from other suppliers is that my crucial, non-negotiable point has always been product content – all products have to be chemical-free and completely natural plus provide soothing, strengthening and nourishing benefits for the hair and skin.
The My Abby Range™ comprises high quality products of international standard at the best possible prices. My Abby is strongly committed to ethical practices and uses Ecocert® approved ingredients. All products in the range are of vegetable origin (Vegan), are GMO/silicone/artificial colourant free, contain natural vitamin E and are cold pressed without solvents. No animal testing whatsoever is done on the range. Our essential oil fragrances are also all natural.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. I began developing the My Abby Range™ in 2016 due to my ongoing passion for the Health and Beauty field. In the beginning I developed products in my kitchen! As a one-woman[1]show I set up all aspects of the business, from production, packaging materials, design, website to financials. I then began very actively marketing my product to retailers, the media and social media.
3. What is your role in the business?
A. I am the founder and chief everything. I literally manage all aspects of my business.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. I studied a Diploma in Nutrition followed by an Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine (Naturopathy) at The College of Natural Therapies in Sydney, Australia. Subsequently I’ve completed a business development and social media courses.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. I utilised family finance and raised the investment.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
A. Before I’ve scheduled it, absolute chaos – there are no typical days. I have two under-five children and I’m completely committed to both them AND the business. I schedule each day and then allow a certain degree of flexibility to ensure that both my clients and my family are happy. Invariably I’m interacting with suppliers, clients, service providers whilst actively marketing my brand.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. I prioritise my time and involvement whilst maintaining transparency with both my family and my business network.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. The opportunity to be the master of my own destiny. I love producing a natural product that really helps people gently care for their skin and hair and am inspired by constantly getting great feedback from clients. I’m driven by having the best of both worlds – running and expanding my business and being hands-on in raising my two young children.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. I become inspired whilst in the kitchen at any given time.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
A. I advertise my business via my own website and extensively on social media (Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn). Another vital aspect in my marketing is intangible – word of mouth.
11. What is next for your business?
A. Currently MyAbby Abyssinian™ is available in South Africa and numerous African countries. I’m set on expanding internationally in the future.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. I’d advise them to really think things through and pay attention to the little things. To always respect and appreciate the customer and to always ask questions and learn. Above all I’d like them to persevere and believe in themselves.
For further info please visit www.myabbyrange.com