38. Theo Mothoa-Frendo
Vital Stats:
- Business: Uso
- Established: 2017
Up-and-coming fact:
In an industry dominated my multinationals, the pharmaceutical expert and doctor launched a brand that earned her the nickname ‘the doctor of melanin-rich skin’.
After spending 10 years as a medical director for sub-Saharan Africa for pharmaceutical firm Roche, Mothoa-Frendo developed Uso during her MBA studies at the Gordon Institute of Business Science in Johannesburg. Uso was launched in 2017 with a week-long pop-up shop in Sandton City where women were offered skin consultations with qualified skin therapists. Her time in sub-Saharan Africa has earned her contacts she intends on leveraging as she grows her brand. Mothoa-Frendo already sells Uso in neighbouring countries through its online store.