At Tomy, we believe that women are a major driving force for change. That’s why we launched an initiative during Women’s Month 2023 that gives local, female-founded businesses a platform to showcase what they do and why. Since then, we’ve had the privilege of highlighting two inspiring women-run and owned businesses, and continue to donate a portion of every Tomy Takkies sale to organisations that empower women and girls across South Africa.

Tomy’s latest spotlight is on Kayla Kim Meiring, a 30-year-old fashion design graduate, former fashion buyer, content creator, and entrepreneur from Cape Town, South Africa. In 2022, she founded Afrocurl, a natural hair care brand that is designed for curls and coils but formulated to benefit all hair types.

As a natural hair enthusiast, Kayla is an inspiration to young girls who are learning to love and accept their natural hair. She says, “I wanted to create a range that is not only organic and vegan but one that is affordable and accessible to women with curly hair. Afrocurl is environmentally friendly, vegan, cruelty-free as well as paraben-free. All of our natural resources are sourced right here in Africa. We aim to keep your crown happy, and we hope that this stirs up the bold character within you to be proud of your natural hair.”

What makes Kayla’s journey so inspiring is her unwavering belief in herself and Afrocurl, no matter the challenges that arise, “One of the struggles I faced when I started was capital,” she says. “It can be hard to run a business that is fully-funded by myself. We do not have any investors, and it’s a great achievement to be recognised worldwide despite it.”