meet connie brands
When it comes to self-care brands, many of us still believe that “international is better” CONNIE collection aims to change this…
Born out of the passion of renowned actress and businesswoman Connie Ferguson. As an African woman in the public eye, Connie knew from first-hand experience that global personal care products are not specifically formulated to relieve the effects of our harsh South African climate – with its resulting concerns like dryness, scarring, oiliness, sun damage, and pigmentation. Connie’s varied career included a time as a brand ambassador for Garnier, where she developed insights and know-how that were to become the foundations of CONNIE brand. In 2015, she partnered with award-winning marketing guru Groovin Nchabeleng to build an outstanding African self-care brand, for Africans by Africans.
Her passion for sharing the confidence that comes with genuine care saw her personally in-volved in the Research-and-Development phases. Together with her scientific and clinical teams, she crafted a superior collection of quality products that are so effective and afforda-ble that she put more than her face behind it. CONNIE brand is owned by Koni Multinational Brands, a 100% black-owned company that was cofounded in 2013 by Connie and Groovin. Proudly South African, the business has diversified interests in personal and beauty care, as well as the health and lifestyle sectors.
founder roundtable
Connie Ferguson – actor, producer, model, businesswoman, inspiration “Self-care creates positive feelings, self-love and visible confidence. That’s true beauty.”
From humble beginnings to a household name, Connie Ferguson understands how innerconfidence can be nurtured to become the kind of confidence others can see…this is the es-sence of true beauty. Regarded as one of the most beautiful personalities of her time, Connie was voted by Cosmopolitan and Ebony magazines as one of South Africa’s Most Beautiful Women, featured in David Dodd’s Portraits of South Africa’s Most Beautiful Women calendar, and has graced the covers of many local magazines, such as True love, Destiny, Woman & Home, Real, Soul, Drum, You, Move, and Bona.
She was the first South African celebrity to be chosen to represent international beauty brand Garnier, becoming the face of the Even collection. Her interest in branding started in 2002 when she partnered with KDC Opticals to produce the Connie Ferguson Eyewear Collection. She later became the first local celebrity to launch her own fragrance line with True Self in 2007, followed by True Sensation in 2010. Connie was inspired to empower others through her own collection of unique products, all designed to inspire confidence. In 2013, Connie part-nered Groovin Nchabeleng to found Koni Multinational Brands, and within a year launched a collection of flagship body lotions under the holding company.
Groovin Nchabaleng – leader, marketing guru, multi award-winning entrepreneur, visionary “Investing in yourself is not only the way to confi dence, but also the path to greater wealth, health and happiness.”
Few understand the rhythm of the SA marketing industry like Groovin. Over the course of his career he has received numerous advertising, media and business awards and was named AdReview’s Advertising Person of the Year in 2007. Groovin has worked on some of the biggest brands, including South African Airways, McDonald’s, Eskom and FNB.
He is inspired by the idea of sharing his stellar success and transforming the lives of ordinary people in South Africa and beyond. In 2013, he co-founded Koni Multinational Brands, a 100% black-owned company with diverse interests spanning personal and beauty care, health and lifestyle sectors.
our story
With many of the premium skincare products falling outside the budgets of everyday South Africans, proper personal care became a luxury. Connie is all about confi dence ~ she genuinely believes that everyone deserves to look and feel their best.
Over the course of her illustrious career, Connie felt called to create a quality collection that makes luxurious personal care affordable and accessible to all. She began working with the best-in-the business formulation experts, scrutinising all aspects from texture to scent, mak-ing sure every product design met her high standards. The initial body lotion collection was the culmination of her lifelong success, and the best of all worlds: affordable luxury in a bottle. Today, the collection has expanded to include skin and haircare, and Connie has helped a gen-eration feel good about self by taking the best care of self.
our journey
Before now, many premium skincare products were beyond the budgets of everyday South Africans, making proper personal care an unattainable luxury. We genuinely believe that everyone deserves to look and feel their best. Connie is all about confidence within reach.
“Self-care equals confidence.” Connie’s own mantra inspired the fi rst product collection, Connie Body Care, which was specially formulated to target concerns like dry skin, scarring, oili-ness, sun damage and pigmentation. The start of what was to become a head-to-toe collec-tion that is both effective and affordable.
The next step was to create a platform to share Connie’s health and fi tness philosophies and practice called iConniecfi t. Soon after, she was compelled to start an African Haircare collec-tion that focuses on the expert maintenance of weaves, wigs, braids and natural hair.
Today, Connie is expanding her approach to wellness through a holistic collection that sup-ports the well-being of the whole self: body, mind, heart, soul and spirit. The wellness collec-tion includes specially formulated Health Teas, CBD Products, Vitamins and Supplements, and is available on our eStore. The programme includes Fitness Classes, Meal Plans, Life Coaching and Motivational Tips and this is just the beginning…
Timeline
From Connie with love “I have devoted myself to creating a collection of locally made, world-class prod-ucts that provide effective, quality, affordable CONFIDENCE FROM WITHIN. Tried and tested, the collection has been specially formulated to meet the needs of your Self-care routine, and I’m confident you’ll love using these products as much as I do.”
xoxo Connie
2013 – Connie realised there was a gap in the market for a truly effective and affordable per-sonal care brand, which sparked the idea to create her own collection. CONNIE began with a listing of three body lotions on trial at five Shoprite stores
2014 – The CONNIE Brand was first officially launched at Shoprite Checkers Great North Retail stores by the then Minister of Small Business Development, Lindiwe Zu-lu.
2015 – CONNIE was awarded the Shoprite Great North “Supplier of the Year” in the “Upcoming Supplier” category
2015 to 2016 – The collection offerings were extended to include body butters for women, as well as a for him collection including body lotion, body butter and shower gel.
2020 – Additional research and development further improved formulations
2021 – Product innovation is ongoing. Collection extended to include new Active col-lection, Connie Pro; Connie Pro Him, and the packaging got a facelift.
2022 to 2023 – Full collection undergoes a complete rebrand, packaging refresh and relaunch under Connie Classic, Connie Pro Women, and Connie Pro Him. CONNIE haircare collection launches with a focus on maintenance of weaves, wigs, braids and natural hair. Skincare collections expanded to include Brightening and Firming. Health Teas and Supplements developed.
Our journey is ongoing. Look out for new offerings – coming soon!