Sometimes giving something ‘one last shot’ is the best shot you end up taking. For Bin to Beauty a wildcard of kindness, deciding it ain’t over ‘till it’s over’ and determination have all turned things around for the small upcycling business, and we couldn’t be more thrilled!

Johannesburg, South Africa (11 October 2024) — Ever felt down on your luck? Like you’ve got this great idea but just seem to be in the wrong place for it to really take off? Considered that your business might end up less of a dream and more of a memory? Kudakwashe Chigariro knows the feeling. In fact, just a few short months ago, she and her small upcycling business, Bin to Beauty, faced all of the above.

Things weren’t looking good for Kuda’s dream. In fact, at the end of July, she had to tell her team that it was time to close shop for good after 5 years of hard work.

It was a heartbreaking moment. Bin to Beauty was the bread and butter for the women part of the team. Together, they were all dedicated to upcycling recyclable materials into fabulous new products like purses, backpacks and accessories. It helped them help the environment and put food on the table. But at the time, it seemed like a breakthrough for the business was becoming impossible, and the business could no longer afford to keep going.

‘But upcycling is all the rage!’ You might protest. While it might be true that sustainable fashion (of which upcycling is a big part) has taken the world by storm, it’s also important to consider that when your resources are limited, so too can be your reach.

Despite coming to terms with the end of Bin to Beauty, life had other plans for Kuda and her team.

Dana Druion from the Rosebank Sunday Market learned of Kuda’s story and immediately knew she needed to get involved.

Dana gave Kuda her ‘last shot’ by offering her a free stall at one of Joburg’s top markets. Beyond this, Dana went above and beyond in trying to connect businesses that produce wrapper waste to Kuda.

When Good Things Guy shared the news of the relaunch, we were all at the edge of our seats.

As Kuda told us at the time, “We are just praying that we have been in the wrong place and praying that we are going to the right place.”

A few months later and the verdict was in: the tables had turned!

“We have been in the wrong place,” Kuda informed us. Those words alone were enough to make our team’s hearts sing.

Kuda added that her client base has expanded to other parts of South Africa thanks to people who learnt about her business through Good Things Guy, and further, that getting to operate at the market is “like a dream”.

While the journey continues for the little business that could, several lessons shine through for all of us: don’t count yourself out until the curtains have truly closed. Be ready to take help when it is given, and if you’re given a ‘last shot’, make it the best damn shot of them all.

Life can certainly feel like being inside a bin at time, but it can also very quickly turn to a thing of beauty.

You can support Bin to Beauty here, or at the Rosebank Market.

Sources: Email Submission

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Bin to Beauty: From Down and Out to Blossoming Business appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Down on her luck and facing the tough decision of closing her business or giving it one last go, Kuda from Bin to Beauty bet on herself one last time. In a heartwarming turn of events, immense kindness came her way from one Good Market Samaritan. Kuda was offered a free stall for her business, Bin to Beauty, at the Rosebank Sunday Market!

Rosebank, South Africa (11 August 2024) — Kudakwashe Chigariro’s business Bin to Beauty hopped on our radars last year. It was a clever means to help women in South Africa make an income all whilst reducing waste by turning recycled materials into new fabulous products. But, despite the many who have been inspired by the women who turn wrappers into creative products like purses and backpacks, Bin to Beauty has faced the same plight many new businesses do—the struggle to keep going in the kind of economy that does no one any favours.

“At the end of last month, I told the ladies that we were closing down. It’s just really been so much. This is now the 5th year, and still no break through,” an emotional Kuda tells Good Things Guy.

In a last attempt to make things work for her and the women Bin to Beauty supports, Kuda decided to move her last piece on the chessboard of opportunities and reached out to Dana Druion from the Rosebank Sunday market.

“Kuda contacted me to find out how to get a stall at the Rosebank Sunday Market…When I asked her to give me more information (my passion is empowerment and social upliftment as I am a social worker by training) she proceeded to tell me her story, on the verge of tears,” Dana explains.

Kuda has been doing everything in her power to keep Bin to Beauty alive, but she is at the point where can’t even put food on the table anymore.

“She was about to tell her staff that she is closing the business and decided to give it one last shot by attending the Rosebank Sunday Market,” says Dana.

It was at that point Dana decided to help give Kuda’s ‘last move’ its best chance by offering her a whole free stall at the market—a huge relief to Kuda.

In addition to this kindness, Dana went several steps further and also tried to connect Kuda to companies that produce the majority of the wrapper waste, albeit without luck. But, she was successful in getting Kuda a mentor from the Craft and Design Institute.

This is not the Good Market Samaritan’s first time going out on a limb or sparking such significant impact for someone in need, either.

“In addition to hosting different charities every week, we assist a number of traders with free stalls or seriously reduced fees. One of them is Abigirl who was a disabled single mother of 4. She arrived every week to run a free stall in agony,” Dana shares.

Through Dana’s network, Abigirl was able to get a hip replacement which has not only changed the trajectory of her business, but her entire livelihood.

“Other traders have also assisted her by supplying her with wool, school clothing and supplies, and even food at the market when her 16 and 14 year old sons ran her stall for the months she was in recovery.”

As for Kuda, the opportunity to get a stall is nothing short of a saving grace.

“I am ‘relaunching’ at Rosebank Sunday Market this coming Sunday. Despite all the stress, somehow we have new products. A cooler bag and a backpack. I will keep pushing as much as I can,” shares Kuda.

Kuda’s push isn’t just for herself and her children, but for the women who rely on the business as a source of hope, and a more environmentally savvy South Africa.

“We are just praying that we have been in the wrong place and praying that we are going to the right place,” she adds.

“I hope we can assist Kuda to rebuild her business and keep her staff from losing their jobs,” adds Dana.

You can support Bin to Beauty at the Rosebank Sunday Market from today, or get in touch with her to find out how to assist on info@bintobeauty.com

Sources: GTG Interviews 

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Kindness Gives Kuda Her Big Break for Bin to Beauty at Last! appeared first on Good Things Guy.

Bin to Beauty turns wrappers into innovative accessories as part of an upcycling movement that also puts food on the table for women in South Africa.

Johannesburg, South Africa (25 August 2023) — Kudakwashe Chigariro’s Bin to Beauty doesn’t believe that wrappers should go to waste.

Like many upcycling innovators in South Africa doing their part to make our world less trash-plagued, Kuda believes that the lifespan of wrappers and packets doesn’t end in the bin.

So, in November 2021, Bin to Beauty was born to share the message of second chances for non-recyclables, where the likes of chip packets and cool drink bottle wrappers become satchels, purses and even pencil cases.

But the real heart of Bin to Beauty lies in its sense of community.

For Kuda, what sets the company apart is its vision for upskilling women and empowering them financially through its Upliftment pulse.

“I teach each lady every stage of making the products, right from when the packets come out of the bin, up until they are a complete product. In turn, the ladies then pass their skills on to the next lady that is learning.” 

“My vision has always been to empower women, and this product has helped my dream to be realized. I want to empower women so that we can make a change for one another,” Kuda shares.

The products are sturdy, handmade and longlasting; making them even more sustainable.

But packets don’t flow to the business nearly as much as they could when one considers how many packets and wrappers end up stuck in unhelpful bins.

“Believe it or not, we have often run out of packets, but we have some great supporters who spread the word, and help us by collecting,” Kuda shares before thanking Tops &Tags for Wheelchairs and Recycle Drive as well as market supporters and the larger Bin to Beauty community. 

While headquarters currently reside in Kuda’s garage, this sustainability legend believes wholeheartedly that the idea will continue to flourish, no matter how long it takes.

On encouraging a greener South Africa, Kuda shares that is is important to know what is recyclable and what isn’t.

“Chip packets are not accepted by recycling companies because of the materials that were used to produce the packets so it just leaves a huge question of where the chip and chocolate packets end up after the waste has been graded.

“Don’t throw it in the bin!” she adds. 

So, where can it go? Bin to Beauty, but of course!

Collect your packets and wrappers and get in touch with BTB on social media. Currently, there are outlets in both Joburg and KZN where BTB distributes.

 “The sales from the products afford us to pay wages and keep our bellies full, but I want us to get to a stage where every lady who is part of Bin to Beauty is financially free, and has a savings account,” Kuda concludes. 

Sources: GTG Interview

Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google. 

Have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

The post Bin to Beauty: Wrapper Waste Becomes Empowered Fashion Statement appeared first on Good Things Guy.