Tell us a bit about yourself, your career and what you’re busy with right now?
My name is Lecia Durham and I was born and raised in South Africa. Studied in SA and then lived in the UK for 7 years where I was exposed to the cosmetics retail industry in a big way. I fell in love. I’m now married with two children and live in Cape Town, SA.
I have always had a passion for skincare and beauty products, as well as all things natural and eco-friendly. The idea of combining all these areas and developing a brand of my own has been a long-time dream.
Litchi & Titch started with just one product, our Paw Paw & Baobab Beauty Balm, over 6 years ago. Our balm was very popular and it have me the confidence to develop further products from there. We now have a shop in Franschhoek, are available in several other outlets and online platforms, as well as running our own online store.
I’m very excited to say that we are on the verge of launching our new Skincare Collection – an updated and even more plant enriched version of our current skincare lines. We are focusing on what we know works best for our clients and making it even more powerful for skin. We are also taking this opportunity to refresh some of our packaging as well as the ‘look & feel’ of the brand.
What has been your biggest challenge/lesson in business and life, in general?
Every day brings challenges that need to be dealt with, it’s part of running a smaller business to have to deal with all of these yourself. Our biggest challenge in the beginning was finding the right manufacturer. A company with the same values and people who we could communicate well with. I’m very hands on with product development and it was so important for me to be able to be a big part of this process. We are settled now and so happy with the team overseeing our manufacture and product development.
Who is/was your role model?
There is no one person who I refer to as my role model. I feel like I look up to so many entrepaneurs, artists and women around the world. Maria Shriver, Sheryl Sandberg, Michelle Obama, Shona Rhymes, JK Rowling, Gabriella Bernstein, Brene’ Brown, single working mothers. Artists such as Pink, Aleshia Keys, Harry Styles, Meryl Streep, Reece Witherspoon, Keanu Reeves.
Strength of character and a giving heart!
As an entrepreneur and business owner, what has been the one piece of advice you have received which you would like to pass on to the person reading this right now?
There are so many pearls of wisdom I have learnt along the way, but for me finding the best team of people, who are all excellent at what they do is vital. You can’t do it all, and if you try, it shows. Keeping your mind focused and on track through exercise, meditation or whatever clears your head and feeds your soul.
Finally accepting that there are always going to be challenges and the road is never easy. Actively re-framing these challenges, is a wonderful way to deal with them better or even ‘best’.
What are you most proud of?
I love it when people contact me to let me know how well the products are working for them. Some people really struggle with skin issues and to be able to actually help them is fantastic. I’m also proud that we have made even the smallest dent in the SA natural skincare arena – there are so many great brands out there, that people are spoilt for choice.
When they choose Litchi & Titch again and again – I’m very grateful and proud.
What is the one thing you know now, which you would tell your 16-year-old self, and why?
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
This too shall pass.
Re-frame and move on.
Sorry, that’s three things but they all mush together 😅
Guilty pleasure?
Good wine and cheese and pizza from my local on a Friday evening.
Where can people get hold of you?
Pretty much everything you need to know about us, is on our website and social media pages.
www.litchiandtitchnaturals.com | @litchiandtitchnaturals
#WomensMonth