São Paulo – After spending almost ten years taking cosmetics by assorted brands from Brazil to Lebanon, the Brazilian entrepreneur Ana Zakhour launched her own hair products brand for Arab women.
“I launched it in early May. The idea to get my own brand out there came up after ANBA ran a story on me. Several suppliers got in touch and asked how I felt about having my own brand,” explains Zakhour. The news piece from February 2016 told the story of the Niterói-born executive who went to live and do business in Lebanon, her grandfather’s homeland.
Zakhour’s new brand is named after her preexisting company, Annaz. It makes items including straighteners, blonde and red toner mask for hydration and color enhancement, protective mix for streaking, protective spray and hydrating mask.
“The merchandise is made and packed in Brazil and comes in ready to use,” she explains. The factory is located in São Paulo. According to Zakhour, since the business is getting started, she keeps a stockpile in Lebanon and makes new orders to Brazil as new sales are made.
“I went to Brazil and tested out a number of formulas. The ones I approved got sent for manufacturing,” Zakhour explains. The lead-up to Annaz product launch took a year.
For the time being, the cosmetics are getting sold in Lebanon alone, but Zakhour plans to take her cosmetics to other countries in the region. She believes the most promising ones are the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, and Egypt, but she’s open to doing business with any Arab or European country.
“I’ve succeeded in combining quality and competitive, market-compatible prices. My focus is on getting out good products at good prices,” Zakhour claims while discussing her business model. She sells only to beauty salons right now, and says she’s getting in touch with distributors as well.
Zakhour is also considering adding other products to her portfolio. “We are looking into deep hydration treatment,” she reveals. Eventually, she might add cosmetics other than hair products. “I am interested in new things,” she asserts.
Quick facts
Annaz
Phone: +961 338-5600
Email: anna.zakhour@hotmail.com
Facebook page: https://goo.gl/7t0tPI
*Translated by Gabriel Pomerancblum