Elena Rojenco from Tiraspol city is transforming hibiscus, rose, sage and other plants into organic cosmetics. She started to create the first organic products for her own use, when she understood that she suffers from allergy and commercial cosmetics were not doing any good to her. In this way she discovered her passion for bio cosmetics and launched the “Fenia” brand.

“The wide-scale use of chemical substances in cosmetics industry determines a lot of consumers to focus on handmade organic products produced from plants, without artificial additives. The ingredients of natural origin are much healthier and safer! That’s why business with natural products becomes more and more attractive,” says Elena Rojenco.

The entrepreneur calls the products created in her workshop “live cosmetics”, as they are made of natural ingredients, such as freshly pressed vegetal oils, extracts from plants, fruits, beekeeping products, aroma-therapeutic natural essential oils – all of them serving as basis for shampoos, bath bombs, and spa teas, produced by Elena according to some old recipes, improved with innovative elements, that she has gathered and tested over the last 20 years.

One of the most demanded products is the creamy paste obtained from herbaceous plants and clay and used as skin cleanser – a 3 in 1 substance which replaces soap, scrub and nourishing mask. “The majority of cosmetic products have a validity period of at least 6 months, while ours – up to 3 months, because afterwards essential oils lose their effect,” says Elena Rojenco.

To be able to develop her business and improve the storage and packing conditions for her products, the entrepreneur called upon the assistance provided by Sweden and UNDP. Thanks to a grant provided under the “Advanced cross-river capacities for trade” (AdTrade) Project, she procured various equipment for making and preserving cosmetic products. The procured modern equipment and specialized window displays provide optimal conditions to preserve the nutrients’ value and quality of “Fenia” products. “It is easier not to organize and monitor the production process. Thanks to the financial support, training, and consultations provided within the project, we decided to launch new products, made of coffee beans and seeds,” mentions Elena Rojenco

This assistance has opened the window of new opportunities. Now, the entrepreneur plans to sell her cosmetic products in a shop in Tiraspol city, and to export in future in several countries, including in the European Union.

Elena Rojenco is one of those 21 entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru river, who obtained financial assistance from Sweden within the UNDP/AdTrade project to launch and develop a business. Besides the non-reimbursable financial support, entrepreneurs also benefit from counselling and mentorship for two years of activity. All this assistance will help the entrepreneurs from both banks of the Nistru river to overcome the crisis induced by COVID-19 pandemic, to adjust their business models to the new realities, and to create about 60 places of work.