Kemi using natural healing power of oil

By ANTOINETTE POIVI
KEMI Rafael, who believes in the power of nature to nourish, heal and protect our bodies, is running a small skin and hair care business selling natural oil.
“I started this business in 2022 after seeking advice from village leaders. It focuses on quality skin care and hair care products. I started by producing and selling a multipurpose oil in my home. The product has been frequently ordered and bought by customers for skincare and hair care purposes.”
Kemi, 26, is the older of two siblings born to Michael and Dorah Rafael of Vunamami village in East New Britain.
His small business is called CareMe – similar to the pronunciation of his first name.
He graduated with a Bachelor in Biology degree from the University of PNG in 2020. He currently is employed by the Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK) and runs his small CareMe business on the side.
The natural products he sells can also be used to help hair growth, anti-dandruff, removal of head lice, scalp cleansing, stop pain, rejuvenate muscles, and stops itchiness. He claims that they also improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation that causes pain.
More than 5,000 customers around the country have been ordering the natural products since he began his business 15 months ago.
The products include the CareMe soap, Magic Rasta shampoo, CareMe sport athlete’s oil, Tropical Sensation (scrub) and the CareMe natural oil.
Kemi works with virgin coconut oil producers and conducts the quality assurance checks. On top of that, he also promotes coconut oil and coconut by-products in the province.
He realised the potential in coconut oil for skin and hair scare in 2021 when he joined the Rabaul Toboi Coconut Mill owned by Coconut Products Limited.

“ I started this business in 2022 after seeking advice from village leaders. It focuses on quality skin care and hair care products.”

The CareMe natural products has agents in Port Moresby, Kokopo, Kimbe, Mt. Hagen, Lae, Madang and Tabubil. The agents are selling CareMe natural oil for K20 a 100ml bottle.
“The testimonies from our loyal and trusted customers have been tremendous. This is the motivation behind the continuing production.
“We have seen ladies’ hair grown thicker and longer. Bald people also have hair re-growth, athletes with torn muscle, joints and ligaments healed and baby with rashes are healed.
“The business is in its initial stage of establishment and we are planning to add new products to our catalogue.”
His advice to young aspiring people wishing to run their own small business is to use the available resources at their disposal instead of waiting for someone to come and help get it off the ground.
The business has a team of five people who are very committed and dedicated.
Kemi is proud of the team and hopes to reach higher goals.
“I also appreciate (commentaries from) followers on social media platforms and promise to continue producing the cosmetic products plus new products.”
Hippocrates, dubbed the father of medicine, once quipped: “Nature itself is the best physician!”