I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with entrepreneur and social influencer Jabu Stone at the launch of their exciting new African Black Soap collection in Sandton. The event, called "Coil Conversations," created a meaningful space for discussions about natural hair care, personal wellness, cultural identity, and modern beauty standards. During our chat, Jabu shared insights about this latest addition to their product line.

Congratulations on your new African Soap collection - what an exciting launch! I'm really curious about the story behind it. What inspired you to dive into traditional African soap-making techniques

When developing the Jabu Stone African Black Soap collection, I was inspired by the wisdom of West African women who have long trusted Black Soap for their skin and hair care routines. This traditional soap has earned its reputation through generations of use, offering incredible cleansing, moisturizing, healing, and anti-aging benefits.

What makes this soap special is its natural antibacterial properties, thanks to its rich blend of protective oils. Our research team made an exciting discovery - right here in our own backyard, we have similar beneficial plants that help control Sebum production. Sebum is that natural oil your body produces to protect and hydrate your skin and scalp, keeping everything in perfect pH balance.

I've been inspired watching your path to success and admire how you've broken barriers as a Black professional - What does black excellence mean to you?

To me, black excellence means pushing boundaries and staying innovative. It's about stepping out of your comfort zone, finding smart ways to grow, and running an ethical business. Stay sharp by understanding your market, seizing opportunities, and creating positive change through mentorship and job creation.

Some people always say that it's better  supporting white-owned businesses over Black-owned ones! What's your take on this?

I believe you can support any business that follows professional ethics and standards. The key is delivering excellent service and presenting your products with integrity and care. When you run your business professionally, it naturally attracts customers from all backgrounds. Just look at Jabu Stone products - they've successfully crossed over to reach a diverse customer base by maintaining high professional standards.

Where to from here?

Through our Coil conversations, we gain valuable insights into the challenges and concerns facing today's hair industry. Based on feedback from previous discussions, we're actively developing solutions to address these issues.

We're expanding our reach by introducing leadership programs, sharing product knowledge, and teaching new trends at TVET colleges - all designed to empower the next generation of hair professionals. Plus, we're growing globally by organizing missions to different countries and exploring new market opportunities.