By Mulemwa Kusemwa

When Natasha Msukwa graduated from university, she faced a problem many young women know too well — she couldn’t find affordable, high-quality hair for her special day. Determined to look her best, she sourced hair from Vietnam, wore it proudly, and shared her graduation photos online. What followed was unexpected: countless women began asking where she got it. They too struggled with overpriced products, limited options, and a beauty industry that didn’t fully cater to them. From this personal experience, Tash Classy Hair was born.

Natasha joined the BongoHive Women in Tech Zambia Accelerator with more than just a business — she carried a purpose. While her brand was growing, it lacked structure. There were challenges with pricing, compliance, and understanding her customer base. The programme became a turning point. Through mentorship and expert-led sessions, Natasha refined her business strategy, built investment readiness, and gained the confidence to scale. Even though she was not among the grant winners, she didn’t let the outcome determine her journey. Encouraged by mentors and peers from the programme, she pitched to the Zambia Business Angels Network and successfully secured investment to expand her business.

With renewed clarity and support, Natasha opened her first physical store in the Copperbelt, making her brand more accessible beyond Lusaka. Her team grew from three to seven employees, creating jobs and empowering young women. She implemented a digital inventory management system to better manage stock across multiple locations, improving efficiency and customer satisfaction.

As her vision evolved, so did her brand. Tash Classy Hair transitioned into Tash Cosmetics — a reflection of growth beyond hair products into a complete beauty brand. She launched her first cosmetic line, starting with lipstick, designed to make women feel confident and seen. Today, Tash Cosmetics serves customers not only across Zambia but also in Europe, the USA, and other African markets.

Natasha’s journey is not just about building a business — it is about resilience, innovation, and community. During the programme’s close-out session, speaking to entrepreneurs who did not receive funding, she shared a powerful reflection: “Winning is more than the prize. The real value is in the growth, the learning, and what you choose to do with it.”

Her story mirrors the true spirit of BongoHive — that success is not defined by a single moment, but by the courage to keep building, learning, and evolving.