Since her university days, Michelle Lole has always been fascinated by hair care — mixing natural butters and oils between lectures as casual experiments.

“Since university I’ve always been the kind of girl who experiments with hair chemicals. My academic background is in Biochemistry, so while I was at school, I would mix hair chemicals, shea butters, and oils because I’m a huge natural hair girl. I was just trying to play around with formulas. That’s the background to my inspiration and ideas,” she said.

That spark never left her, and it later became the foundation of Mandida, a brand she created to make beauty accessible to every woman — from young college students and working professionals to elderly women, ana gogo, who also want to feel and look good.

The journey to building Mandida was never planned.
“The Mandida brand started when I was at school. I always wanted to have a hair care brand because I studied in South Africa. When I came back, the job market wasn’t doing so well. I got a job at another company, but hair care was always at the back of my mind as a hobby. One random Sunday, I decided to film myself doing a hair revamp using the conditioners and mixes I had created. 

"The video went viral, and people started asking me to revamp their wigs. The positive feedback I got really motivated me. I think people liked that I was sharing good information, and that’s when I started practically doing hair care for people,” she explained.

From that moment, her passion grew into a movement.

“I always thought wigs were a luxury. They were so expensive, just for certain people, and that messed me up a bit. I told myself one day I want to make sure wigs and hair care products are affordable and accessible. 

"Zimbabwe is a big community with different cities, and if Mandida can train people and provide skills, we can make beauty accessible to so many more,” she said.

Her philosophy is simple but powerful.
“At the end of the day, I know I can’t afford a wig myself, but if we can expand and educate more people, making beauty tools accessible to many, that would be awesome. In terms of legacy, I want people to know: you are enough, you are loved, you deserve to feel beautiful in whatever way you choose. 

"You deserve to spoil yourself. I want Mandida to be a reminder that someone understands, someone can provide solutions. If someone can feel happy or light because Mandida styled their wig, that gives me joy. Everyone deserves that small level of happiness,” she said.

Her story has quickly become a symbol of courage.
 

“I know a lot of people have passions they are not pursuing. Many are scared to live out their dreams. But I hope Mandida inspires someone to realize you don’t have to live according to what society dictates. If you have a dream, you can chase it,” she said.

Consistency and passion, she believes, are what transform dreams into reality.
 

“With consistency and passion, things eventually work out. Mandida is proof of that. Many people have approached me to say, ‘Oh my gosh, you inspired me to start my business and it’s going well,’ or ‘You inspired me to realize that life can be okay even without formal employment.’ That really means a lot to me,” she said.

At its core, Mandida is about self-love.
“The meaning of Mandida is loving yourself, showing yourself care until you truly feel good about it. It’s about investing in good products, like your hair. That’s why I named my brand Mandida. It’s not my personal name but one that embodies love and care. The products are formulated with different hair types in mind but with something uniquely Zimbabwean.

"At first, I didn’t have a grand vision, but I knew I wanted people to have access to good products,” she explained.

“Mandida has grown to accommodate everyone. We listen to people because at the end of the day, I aspire to create a safe space for women where they feel heard. We meet people at their point of need, offering wigs and products so that everyone feels considered,” she added.

But the journey has not been without challenges.
 

“Mandida is mostly supported by women because they feel heard. But as a female entrepreneur, people don’t always take you seriously. Some doubt whether they can depend on you,” she said.

To overcome those doubts, she built systems of trust.
 

“I set up courier systems outside Harare and also work with bikers within the city for deliveries. These were things I had to patiently learn. I also explain product pricing to my clients so they understand the value. That’s how I’ve gained trust,” she said.

Mandida has become more than a brand. It is a voice, a community, and a source of hope that proves self-love and determination can build something powerful enough to touch lives across generations.