By day, Khulile Vilakazi-Ofosu holds down a steady, demanding job as a senior forensic expert at a multinational IT company.
But with her background in auditing and finance, she is perfectly poised to occupy another role out of office hours, by combining her flair for figures with her natural head for business.
Khulile is not just an entrepreneur; she’s a “hairtrepreneur”, the driving force behind a company that produces natural hair extensions for women.
Bounce Essentials was born out of Khulile’s own unexpected hair loss after her first pregnancy, and it stands today as crowning symbol of pride, empowerment, and styling, backed by a range of natural-hair dolls for children who want a reflection of their own looks and self-worth in the toys they play with.
Between her busy days and her fast-growing sideline, Khulile found the time to sit down with Ruda for an insightful chat about ambition, opportunity, and the hair-raising life of a modern business executive.
R: Hello and a very warm welcome to another session of the Change Exchange, and my guest today, Khulile Vilakazi Ofuso. Senior? What did you tell me just now, which I’ve now forgotten?
K: Senior investigations manager at Microsoft.
R: But you also run your own business.
K: Yes, I’ve got my own business as well with my partner, Caroline. Yeah.
R: OK, we’ll talk about that. Don’t sweat. [Laughs] Sorry. What did you study and why?
K: Gees! OK. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher. But when we were growing up, then we were told that teaching doesn’t pay. I’m not sure if that has changed much
Ruda: Where did you go?
K: In Newcastle, Madaneni. Newcastle, KwaZulu Natal. So I grew up there with my great grandmother and my grandmother. Yeah. So …
R: Sorry, may I ask why, were your parents?
K: So my mom had me when she was 16 years old. Both my Mum and dad were 16 at the time, so they were just babies themselves and um, my mum gave birth in January, she had to go back to school and kudos to my grandmother for allowing her to do that because most kids would then, you know, stay at home and look after kids. They’re babies. So my grandmother was quite progressive and I say … So, she then took care of me. At the time, her mother was still alive, so my great grandmother took care of me and she passed on when, when I was seven years old. Then my grandmother …
R: And did your mum finish school?
K: She did … She did.
R: Sjoe, that is an example.
K: Yes. that’s why I’m saying kudos to my grandmother because, um, those days, um, you know …
R: It wasn’t really the done thing.
K: Nope, not at all. Not at all.
R: And so did you grow up with the idea of I will go to university, I will get a further education.
K: Absolutely. And um, I think growing up with mom, with my grandmother, I always felt when kids at school talk about their mom and dad, I didn’t have that. I only first met my dad when I was in matric and then he’s passed on, but I’ve got … My mom got married when I was, I think three years old to my dad now, who is my stepfather, but I never call him that because he’s the only father that they really know. A wonderful man. And so …
R: Growing up, growing up, did you, did you think you would go to university? Was that always the plan?
K: Yes. No, that was always the plan. Um, the plan was, um, I wanted to be better than my circumstances. I have always had how that. How I going to do that I didn’t know, but I think at a very young age I knew that education was probably the way there and I was heavily influenced by my aunt, Nonhlanhla, who at the time was a lecturer at the University of Zululand and I got to, um, to stay with her and her husband. So the whole family unit that I observed living with them, in the whole education, what education can do for you. So she was um, they very, even today they are very big influences in my life. And you said you thought about teaching, but then you decided …
K: I love teaching and I’m still holding on to some hope that I will be one day a teacher or a lecturer in my old age. I love teaching, but um, I mean growing up again, and I’m not sure whether it’s changed that um, the teaching profession is not known to pay well. And, um, I mean my grandmother was a nurse and she had seven kids of her own and now as the eighth kid now because my mom was just a baby when she had me, so, um, I could see how difficult, how difficult things were. Um, so I was naturally drawn to something that would pay more quicker and everybody’s said that it’s finance. So that’s how I ended up in finance. And little did I know that I would really enjoy it that much, so …
R: You worked in finance and auditing at the oil firms? At Castrol, at BP. at. was it Total as well? How did you experience that as a young black woman 20 years ago?
K: While, um, I think when I started my career I actually started at NBS corporate bank. It was still NBS then, um, I went in as an intern, um, uh, doing my practical training and then they offered me a role as a head office bookkeeper. And so, um, that was my first real taste of what finance was like, um, then worked for Castrol as an assistant finance manager. And that’s where I really started thinking, you know what, I’m really not enjoying this. I really didn’t enjoy finance. Um, luckily for me, I think I was there for like three years and then BP bought Castrol. So with that whole transition, there was an opportunity for me to go into auditing when when I joined BP and …
R: Internal auditing?
K: Yes, I’m there. So I never looked back. I love auditing. Um, you know, every, every audit that you do, it’s like a different project. So there is not that repetitive nature of core finance, which is what I really didn’t enjoy.
R: But once again it must have been difficult because internal auditing by its nature is there to question and here you were young, black, a woman?
K: It is, it is, it is very difficult, especially because you are an employee of the company. So you’re often looked at as a stumbling block and to whatever the business wants to do. Um, so I really learned it very early on, in my career for me to really have the desired impact, I need to understand the business and be able to be seen as a trusted business advisor rather than a police, which is what normally auditors are looked at as you know – we do a policing function. But in the business today, for you to be relevant as an auditor, you need to be a trusted business advisor and so that the business knows that you are on their side and whatever advice you’re giving them, it’s for the benefit of the company. It’s not that you just being a stumbling block.
R: Auditing is under such pressure in South Africa, at the moment.
K: World wide, actually.
R: How do you keep that distance? How do you … Because it sounds like a balance. How do you, on the one hand, you do work in the interest of the company, but on the other hand you have to keep a kind of a skeptical distance.
K: You do. Yes and no. And the fact that you know that you are part of the business. So whatever advice that you’re giving is, um, advice that you would any way adopt yourself because your paycheck depends on, on the livelihood of this company. Right? So again, gaining the trust of the business and working as part of a team rather than as a policing function, really earns you trust and, and it makes your job a little bit easier. Um, when you do have to put up the, you know, the policing function …
R: And raise the red flag, ja, ja. How did it happen that you started your own business? Bounce Hair?
K: Oh Wow. So, fast forward, I’m 38 years old. My first pregnancy. Um, I had my daughter, six months after having my daughter. I lost my hair. All of it. I was bald. Um, and I’ve always had a very thick head of hair. Um, so that came with a lot of really, I must say I was depressed for being a part of, of, of, um, you know, that year when that happened, um, so I spent a lot of time researching on the Internet to find out, you know, cause I didn’t want, I’ve never been one for weaves, really. Not that there’s anything wrong with, with um, but I, um, I wanted something that when somebody looks at me they won’t really see that that’s fake hair. So and I got it in my head that surely there must be somebody somewhere that can turn Indian hair into, to look like black, African hair. So when I was doing my research I bumped into my partner now online and she had just started bringing in the Afro Hair into South Africa.
So I bought a wig from her and it came and it still was the wig that, you know, wigs have those columns that you need to attach them to your head, but I didn’t have hair so there was nothing to attach it to. So I went to doctor Google and to um, to, to see what I can do, you know, to, to, to, to make it user friendly for the person that doesn’t have hair and then come YouTube and a lot of videos of people teaching you how to make wigs. So long story short, I took that hair, that my partner Caroline had started bringing into South Africa and made my own wig with it. And then I told her, I said, you know, look at this, most people especially, um, black ladies, I don’t know why somehow our hairline recedes so, and you will find that we need to be adaptable to that because we don’t have hair to then be attaching the combs into. So I said, you know what, this could be something that could really, you know, go a long way in South Africa, especially not just for people that cosmetically, um, they don’t have hair, but maybe for cancer sufferers, for, you know, so it can help a lot of people. And I’m Caroline actually was like, you know, this is brilliant. Um, would you be interested in a partnership? So that’s how the business started and we’ve traveled all over the world. Really just trying to perfect the co, um, to what we have today.
R: Hair is a, is a huge issue for black women, which I think, white women just don’t get.
K: Yeah. Yeah, I think um, because when growing up we were never taught how to take care of our hair and also growing up the only real measure of beauty, were the Barbie dolls, right, with a straight, hair, that’s all we knew. So I’m, I can bet that there is no black woman that has never tried their hand into relaxer. Unless maybe the millennials maybe. But um, yeah, the, that was the standard of beauty and because we saw hair as problematic because we didn’t know how to take care of it. So we then went to use chemicals that damage our hair.
R: So the same idea led to you starting the doll series.
K: Yes. So my daughter, my daughter’s turning four for a couple of weeks. My daughter’s hair is like shoulder, shoulder length already. Uh, it’s all natural. So, um, when she was about to turn three, she came home from school one day and said, mommy, I want hair that flows, you know, cause obviously she goes to school, her friends have long, blonde hair, what would, brown hair, whatever. So, um, I can remember very well where I was sitting when she said that. And how it struck me, just like, I mean, you know, make my hair because I do her hair, say mommy make my hair flow, I want flowy hair
R: What did it make make you feel?
K: At that moment I paused and I looked at it like, do you know how beautiful your hair is? Do you know how it’s an an envy of many people and for you to already at this age, this is the conversation I was having with myself, obviously, I mean she was three. She wouldn’t, you know, take all that in. And so as for, for her at this age to already be thinking. And I’m not sure whether that’s what she was thinking and she’s three years old but to, to, to, to aspire for something more than what she has … I remember very well, I know something has to be done at that moment. I can actually feel the feeling that I felt then. And um, so I thought, OK, something has to be done. So I went around the market to look for black dolls. And basically what I found were Barbie dolls that were painted black, they still had their sharp noses, they were skinny as anything, um, with their straight hair. My brother-in-law lives in the States and I was like, Fred, can you find me a really representative black doll? He also couldn’t.
R: Short answer is no.
K: So he couldn’t. He got me some dolls, but still they were not, their hair was not. So like, you know, I spoke to my partner, Caroline, who is just honestly a godsend. I spoke to her, said, you know, what we know about hair now, you know, why don’t we find a manufacturer that can design a doll that looks like our kids and speak to our manufacturer, hair manufacturer to then, uh, you know, with the hair, the hair part.
R: And what was the response when you went to, when you tried to find manufacturers?
K: So we had this thing because everybody manufacturers in China, right? Everybody will go to China. So we went to the Hong Kong Toy Fair thinking that’s where we’re going to find a supplier. They turned to us down. They were like, they don’t do black dolls, black dolls are ugly, black dolls don’t sell and they were busy pushing Barbie dolls, because they can be painted black. So they didn’t understand what we wanted, you know, the whole, because it’s just, it’s bigger than us, it’s our kids it’s the future generation. So we …
R: It’s the ideal of beauty.
K: Exactly, exactly. And it has to change. That’s why you have so many issues with, with women these days, you know, um, you know, uh, anorexia all such eating disorders because we’ve got this ideal of what beauty is, you know, so we really wanted our kids to be comfortable in their own skin, you know, and, and one of the things that we wanted was even the body, you know, it shouldn’t be the skinny and also Barbie is not a baby, right? So, so I don’t know. I mean, Kudos to them, they’ve been there for a hundred years, plus,
R: I must say that if Barbie were a real person, she would fall flat on her face because she’s far too heavy.
K: Exactly. So, um, and I mean this is no criticism of Barbie, but, but we wanted something authentic, something that really represented an African Child. Um, and we, we decided to venture into Europe and we found and we found our manufacturer there.
R: And how has it been going?
K: It’s been brilliant. It’s really, uh, really the response has been so overwhelming. Positive. Um, it’s not only in South Africa and it’s not only the black market, by the way, I’m about 20, 20, 22 percent of our sales go to white mothers. Yes, some of them have adopted black kids, but some just want, you know, diversity in toys. They want their kids to grow up knowing and appreciating and embracing diversity. So markets have really opened up far and wide and we’re really grateful for that.
R: How do you juggle a full time job and a business.
K: So we’ve been very lucky. I’ve always said, you know, I’ve done my hard labour growing up so I really don’t want to really work very hard and I wanted to work smarter. So Caroline and I have really built a business that runs on its own. We’ve got a three dedicated people that manage the orders and shipments and stuff like that. So all that it requires from both of us is, um, you know, some strategic direction. So we meet on Saturday or on Sunday or I mean she’s in London on Skype and then we do the week’s review and also the, the, the look forward to the next week. What do we need to do? Um, you know, three months from now, what do we want to do? So it’s not that labor intensive on our side. I mean, I’d be lying if I say I’ve never sent an email or two during Microsoft hours, but really it is, um, it is a business that runs on its own and it’s an ordering business. So it’s not that we physically do anything with our hands.
R: You’ve also got two ladies who make the clothes because the clothes are part of the thing. They’re beautiful!
K: So we have a lady that, um, one lady, uh, in, in Pretoria that does our clothes, that make the bulk of our clothes, and what’s really, you know, exciting about that is that we found this lady, um, you know, doing like just a small scale operation on her own, where she would do wedding dresses and ad hoc gowns for people, but now she’s got a fully fledged factory that she does where she does our clothes, with help, with machinery and I think she’s got about 12 people now working for her. So I mean we’ve created an employment not only for her, but for six other people that you didn’t have before. So that’s really, really heartwarming for us to see how she has grown her business.
R: And plans and dreams for the business? And professionally for yourself?
K: The business part, we’re really excited. I wish this interview was like a month or three weeks later … We’re launching new products and we are opening our first concept retail store and the plans are just, yeah, I’m excited about them, but I don’t mind to give out too much, but um, we really want to entrench the Sibahle brand, as you know, the go-to brand for a black child, and more so for kids in South Africa being the Rainbow Nation so there are products where we will be including that embrace and celebrate that diversity.
R: And where’s your first store going to be?
K: In Bryanston, hopefully. Just concluding the contract at the moment.
R: But you’re also a wife. That is another role that takes time!
K: Yep! It’s like I’ve got two kids!
R: You’ve been married for seven years. How did you meet and how did you decide he was the one? William, nê?
K: Yes. So I met, we met at a friend’s drinks. Um, I mean it was like my first week in Johannesburg after living in Cape Town for almost four years. It was his first week in Johannesburg after living in London for about three years. So we met at a friend’s drinks and, um, we started talking and arguing, actually. Not talking! Arguing. And the first thing that striked me about him was the fact that he could hold his own against me. Right?
R: Were you not used to that?
K: No I really wasn’t. And we had the same interests. I mean, we read a lot and we found out that we were reading the same book at the same time, um, you know, which was like, OK, maybe I should look at him with, you know, more serious eyes. And then there’s, … Yeah. So, so that’s how we met. And um, it’s been 14 years. Yeah.
R: But two busy careers, kids the whole lot. How do you maintain your closeness?
K: Um, so we’ve got a very good support structure, but we’re very hands on parents. So we’ve got the one child Ayesha, so we, um, we’ve never been very outgoing people. We really like our, we were secluded, we really like reading, music and traveling. So that hasn’t changed much and I think that also allows us the opportunity to be like just a close knit family. Um …
R: You spend your free time together.
K: Together. So nothing has changed. I think Ayesha hasn’t brought in a very different dynamic, you know? Um, so I think that’s just, it works, it really works. And we’re still individuals, in the relationship as well, which I think that’s what has sustained us. He’s got his own interests, and I’ve got my own interests. We really allow each other to grow that. So it’s not just, it’s William and Khulile and that’s Ayesha and that’s it. I’ve got my friends that I’ve got my own interests with and we pursue and he’s, he’s also the same. So …
R: And how did you, how did Ayesha change you inside. Because children do.
K: Oh they do, they do! She, she’s, yeah, she’s, she’s really turned me upside down in a way. She’s so much like me. She really, really is like me and that frustrates me a lot. Really. Um, she, she has taught me to be able to, to be fine with not being in control, right. Um, all along ….
R: Why? Because you can’t control her?
K: I really cannot, not in a bad way that she’s an unruly child and stuff like that. But she’s just, she has her own mind. She reasons. Um, yeah. So sometimes I say Ayesha, you know, just do it. No mommy, but mommy. I’m like, no, actually there is no but and she be, no, there is a but. But Ayesha when I say something just don’t question it, but my daddy says I must question everything. So you know, you’ll kind of just, when we were growing up, our kids, well, I mean our parents will be like, you know enough do and you do. But she brings in the challenge. Why must I do it? Why, why can’t I do it an hour later. You know? So yeah, she’s um, she’s, she’s really teaching me to be OK with not being in control.
R: And tell me a little bit about your home, what made you choose it? What … Big windows? A big tree outside?
K: It was the space. So growing up I lived in the typical township, um, house. A four roomed house, exactly not four bedrooms – four roomed house. And my grandmother, as I said, had seven kids. I was the eighth one. Um, so the sleeping arrangements were difficult.
R: So you never had any personal space.
K: No, no. So I treasure that. I really, really treasure. Even in our house when I’ve got my own room where, I can just go and be. My makeup can sit the way that it wants to sit. There’s nobody saying I’m taking up too much space and stuff like that. So I really, really value space. So that’s what, that’s what attracted me to our house. The space and the possibility of it.
R: And is Joburg home and will be? You’ve lived in KwaZulu-Natal, you’ve lived in Cape Town.
K: I’m really stuck on a place. It’s just where William and Ayesha are. Yeah, so I’m easy. I’m really, really easy. I’m not stuck on a particular place.
R: Well, I can only say all of the very, very best and I look forward to seeing your shop. It’s going to be so exciting.
K: Thank you so much and thanks for inviting me.
R: Thank you for being our guest. Until the next time. Go well.
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