By Juliet ETEFE
In the realm of hair care, where profit often eclipses innovation, Aretha Forson’s story stands out as a beacon of authenticity and purpose.
Her deep passion for hair care led her to discover that certain products on the market contain harmful chemicals that are unsafe and unhealthy for textured hair.
Recognising the potential risks these chemicals posed to both hair health and overall well-being, she was resolute in her determination to rewrite the narrative. Join us as we journey alongside Aretha, delving into the roots of her inspiration and her mission to redefine beauty, one strand at a time.
Background
Aretha Forson, a graduate of the Ghana Institute of Journalism with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications, specializing in journalism, characterizes herself as kind, sweet, and affable. Her interests include reading, fine dining, and traveling. Although she always saw herself potentially working in either the fashion or agricultural industries, she eventually found her footing as an entrepreneur. But how did she navigate this path?
Inspiration
Motivated by her desire to provide safer and healthier alternatives in hair care, she took the initiative to educate herself on the nuances of hair care formulation, with a specific emphasis on plant-based ingredients.
She embarked on a journey to develop a range of plant-based hair care solutions, each carefully formulated to nurture, protect, and empower. This decision stemmed from her conviction that natural, plant-derived ingredients not only address consumers’ concerns but also promote their long-term health.
Through dedication, extensive research, and an unwavering commitment to quality, Aretha transformed her passion for hair care into a successful business. Her clear mission was to develop products that not only met the specific needs of textured hair but also prioritised the health and safety of consumers.
Her journey
She reflected on the origins of her business, which began during her final year at the Ghana Institute of Journalism. “I began testing the market with a few products, selling a few products from friend to friend and within hostels around me. Interestingly I had so many positive feedbacks from the products I had made and decide to turn it into a full-blown business.
“This prompted my decision to learn and formulate plant-based hair care products that cater not only to the pain points of the people but their overall health as well. Today we have a whole line of products to complement each other, to say the least we are more than grateful to satisfy our consumers with that,” she reiterated.
She added that the brand bears the name Aretha, a six-letter word that means excellence. “We are a plant-based hair care brand that has the heart of the textured hair community at heart. We hand make all our products with care and love to meet the demands of the textured hair community,” she said.
How work experience and education has helped?
After graduating from the university, Aretha worked as a radio anchor, covering business and entertainment news as part of her national service. She seamlessly integrated this role with her startup, balancing her professional responsibilities with the demands of her growing business.
Balancing her role as a formulator at night with her duties as an anchor during the day epitomized her unwavering determination. Though challenging, this experience fortified her resilience and honed her multitasking skills, ultimately enabling her to realize her ambitions.
Expatiating further, she said: “Personally I believe anyone can be an entrepreneur, passion is one of the essential ingredients in becoming one, and passion has nothing to with a degree. However, in my four years in university we had so many aligned courses that equip you to be an entrepreneur.
“I recall reading courses like marketing and advertising which at some point has become very useful to me. Majoring in journalism also taught me about storytelling, this is an aspect a lot of small businesses or entrepreneurs don’t pay much attention to but is vital. Mastering the art of storytelling defines and provides a unique connection from you to your target customers and puts you on a pedestal as to why the world should know and choose you”.
Aretha Forson was among the start-ups chosen by Kosmos Innovation Centre (KIC) and Mastercard Foundation to participate in The AgriTech Challenge Pro, a five-month accelerator programme aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs in launching and scaling commercially viable solutions to address key challenges in the agricultural sector.
The programme is also provisioned to drive technology and innovation as a catalyst to enhancing productivity, improving yields and creating more jobs within the agricultural sector.
Challenges
Commenting on the challenges start-ups face, she observed, “Based on personal research and my own experience, one of the major hurdles that leads to the premature demise of many startups is limited access to capital. To ensure a business thrives, it’s crucial to invest sufficient capital to sustain operations and increase visibility among the public.
“Truth is, while we all want the zeal to become entrepreneurs or move our future business from ideas stage into the market, not all will have the opportunity to make that a reality especially when generational wealth is light weight in most families. The Ghanaian economy has a much brighter outlook if the youth like me with much potential are invested into- that’s my expectation”.
The space
When asked about her perspective on the hair care industry, she expressed that she views it as more breathable than competitive. She highlighted the presence of numerous local brands like hers, emphasizing the opportunity for them to thrive and develop products tailored specifically to meet the needs of textured hair.
Vision
Over the next five years, Aretha aims to establish her brand as one of the foremost leaders in the Ghanaian hair care industry, offering top-quality products tailored to the needs of the textured hair community.
Advice to other entrepreneurs
As a burgeoning brand that grows with each passing day and learns invaluable lessons along the way, Aretha emphasises the importance of ongoing exploration and strategic planning to enhance past achievements and ensure sustained success.
Women empowerment
“Someone once said to me a financially educated and independent woman is a confident and liberal woman. I find empowered women take up space more in diverse fields in society when well invested into,” she holds.
Contact details
Instagram: Arethaorganics
Contact: +233 50 660 9026
