Meet the women behind Umhlanga beauty brand, Simply Summer.
Some business ideas are born in boardrooms. Others arrive in the middle of the night.
For best friends René Naidoo and Miona Naicker, the spark behind Simply Summer came from an actual dream. Now, that dream has grown into a proudly South African beauty brand with a loyal following, a growing product range and a big vision for the future. But before there was a business, there was friendship.
The duo have shared more than a decade of life’s biggest moments together, and that bond has become the foundation of everything they create. They credit their friendship, built on trust, honesty and plenty of laughter, as the secret ingredient behind the brand.
“Simply Summer has always been something we’ve dreamed about together,” they explain. “We’ve always shared the same vision, even though we each bring different strengths to the business.”
Those strengths couldn’t be more complementary. Miona, with her background in chemistry, leads the product development, skincare innovation and marketing side of the business, even formulating their products herself. René keeps everything running behind the scenes, managing finances, logistics, customer care and the countless moving parts that customers rarely get to see. And there are plenty of those.
While social media often showcases beautifully packaged products and polished campaigns, the reality involves late nights, delayed shipments, packaging headaches, endless customer messages and more than a few moments of wondering if it’s all worth it.
Like many small business owners, they wear every hat imaginable, packing orders, solving problems and pouring almost everything they earn straight back into the business.
That commitment has helped shape a brand that feels exactly how its name suggests.
Simply Summer isn’t just about beauty products. It’s about bottling that carefree feeling of sunshine, confidence and those little everyday moments that make you smile. Think soft colours, glowing skin and products that feel approachable rather than intimidating.
For René and Miona, beauty should be enjoyable, accessible and make you feel good from the inside out.
Looking ahead, the pair have no plans to slow down. Following a recent rebrand, exciting collaborations and new product launches, they’re expanding their beauty range while working towards an ambitious goal of becoming a household South African beauty brand stocked in retailers across the country.
Their advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is equally uncomplicated.
Start before you feel ready.
“You’ll never have all the answers, and your first vision won’t be your final version,” they say. “Progress will always beat perfection.”
Quick favourites:
Coffee stop: Pause Matcha Bar
Can’t-live-without beauty product: Simply Summer Lip Combo
Skincare must-have: Pink Peptide Milky Toner and facial oil for glowing skin
Dinner date: The Baron or The Chef’s Table
A trend they’re leaving behind: Unrealistic beauty standards
