Mimi’s Organics

Success Story 15 February 2017

Information about Aeroplas
Region/Nation	South East
Sector	Health & Social Care
Programme	Start Up Loans

Rumbi Serima-Fowler started her business Mimi’s Organics in 2014 after struggling to find products to suit the skin of her son, who suffers from numerous allergies.

She also found difficultly in sourcing skin care aimed specifically at black women. She saw a gap in the market and decided to launch her online organic skincare line.

Rumbi was born and grew up in Zimbabwee, but has been living in the UK for 15 years. She decided to study for her law degree and worked part-time as an Office Manager to fund her studies. Alongside this, she also cared for her autistic son and then decided to run her business full-time to allow her to fit her work around the needs of her son. It was actually her son who inspired her to start the business as she needed the products, and flexibility of working for herself, to work around her son.

The business has changed since launch; Rumbi has actually reduced the size of her product line to focus on women’s skincare. She would like to expand and launch more products but is limited by lack of available funding; she is not eligible for a bank loan and was told by Crowdfunder that she required a turnover of over £50k before she could find funding from this source. She would like to find investors but feels that they would really have to embrace the brand and become an advocate in order to understand the business. The challenge she currently faces then is this lack of funding, as she cannot expand or launch new products without it.

Mimi's Organics product

Rumbi regularly receive orders on Amazon as far away as Hawaii, the USA, Korea, China and Africa and has received interest from investors in these areas but lacks the tools and resource to negotiate a deal. She does plan, in the future, to launch more products to widen the range, but is happy to continue selling online to reduce costs.

Rumbi has been nominated for several awards, including the Mentor Magic award, the Green Parent Award 2015, and has been shortlisted for a Leadership Award.

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