ZeeA Fragrances, a Namibian oil-based perfume, began on a quiet evening in a small sitting room. Perfume bottles lined the shelves, essential oils waited to be mixed, and Tertisia Nghipondoka was carefully crafting scents by hand.
What started as an effort to cover everyday expenses has grown into ZeeA Fragrances, one of Namibia’s fastest-growing multi-level marketing companies, with over 4 000 members.
“I started ZeeA Fragrances from my sitting room. That was also our warehouse. We mixed the perfumes ourselves and sold them to customers who could walk in and buy. I funded my first stock with my salary,” said Nghipondoka.
The business, named after her daughter, Zelda Andreas, began generating additional revenue.
“Initially, it was just a side hustle to help me manage everyday expenses,” she said.
In September 2025, ZeeA Fragrances transitioned to a multi-level marketing model. Members can now earn commission on their own sales and on the sales of recruits.
Nghipondoka explained the move was inspired by foreign MLM perfume companies such as AVON and INUKA.
“Namibians responded very positively. In just four months as an MLM company, we have grown to over 4 000 members,” she said.
Running a business while completing a PhD has been challenging.
“At first, I could not even travel on weekends because I had to manage business operations and read for my thesis. But now we have an experienced team handling orders and queries, so I do not have to be in the warehouse all the time,” she said.
Nghipondoka added that the business’ personal impact on members is a rewarding endeavour.
“Daily, I receive heart-warming feedback from our members. They tell me how ZeeA perfumes help them stop borrowing for electricity or petrol, or how they can now provide food for their families. Sometimes I get emotional when paying commissions, knowing how far they have come,” she said.
Like many SMEs, ZeeA Fragrances faced challenges during COVID-19.
“Sales dropped because people were staying home and weren’t buying perfumes. But once the country returned to normal, sales picked up again,” Nghipondoka said.
Despite these challenges, she says the business has been rewarding.
“I like motivating young professionals that a job alone might not be enough. Use your salary to fund your business capital,” she said.
Nghipondoka has not yet received government support but plans to approach authorities for assistance with new business ideas.
A growing industry
The fragrance industry in Namibia has been steadily growing over the past decade. While imported perfumes remain popular, local brands like ZeeA are carving out a niche by offering affordable, high-quality oil-based perfumes.
As urban consumers seek unique scents and entrepreneurs explore small-scale manufacturing, the industry has seen a rise in homegrown perfume businesses. MLM models, previously dominated by foreign companies, are also gaining traction locally, creating opportunities for Namibians to earn additional income.