Behind the Brand Series – Luno Organic

Behind the Brand is a series where we introduce you to the people, stories and passion behind the local brands listed on We R Local.

Every brand has a story to tell, and we believe our local brands deserve to be celebrated. Through this series, we hope you’ll get to know these brands on a more personal level, discover what makes them special, and see the real difference you can make when you choose to support local.

The first brand we are excited to introduce is Luno Organic, owned by Divhani Rasalanavho.

The brand was founded in 2021 as a side hustle, initially selling just Shea Butter and African Black Soap to earn some extra income.

But it was the feedback and results I received from customers that made me fall in love with the products. Seeing the difference they could make inspired me to focus on helping people, from newborns to the elderly, restore their skin and hair naturally, while keeping the products affordable.

I started researching the common challenges people experience with their skin and hair, and this helped shape the products we offer today. Our products are processed directly from the fruit or seed and applied directly to the skin or hair, helping customers achieve maximum results.

Running a small business on your own comes with its challenges. When you are an all-rounder, you are responsible for everything from finances and marketing to ordering stock and managing the day-to-day running of the business. At times, it can feel overwhelming.

One of my biggest challenges has been introducing a new product to test the market, only to have it sell out almost immediately. At that point, I may have only ordered a small amount of the raw materials needed to make more. Many of my products are made using ingredients and products from trees that only grow in East Africa, which makes restocking more complicated.

Another challenge with supplying natural, organic products is making sure I don’t overproduce. Many of the raw materials, such as cocoa beans and shea nuts, have a lifespan of around 12 months. Ordering the materials and getting the cargo here can take up to four weeks, and South African Customs can sometimes take additional time to release the goods. This can add even more weeks to the process, which ultimately means lost sales.

It has been a huge challenge, but I have learned to always order in advance while still being mindful of the products’ lifespan.

What makes it all worthwhile is seeing the difference the products make in people’s lives. I am most passionate and happiest when I help someone grow back their hair or restore their skin to its original complexion. Nothing makes me happier than receiving that feedback — especially when it comes from someone who purchased a product a long time ago and I can barely remember them, only to suddenly receive a message filled with gratitude.

Those moments remind me why I started in the first place.

Thank you for reading my story, Divhani.