Employee Story | From the First Handshake to the Signing of the Order: The South African Market has Unlimited Potential

Every international trade team has a moment when a newcomer takes the first step of independence - and for S, one of our youngest sales managers at Focusfreda, this moment happened in a crowded exhibition hall in Shanghai.

Two years ago, S had just passed the induction training with excellent results and had been quietly preparing for his first exhibition event: the world-renowned World Pharmaceutical Ingredients Exhibition-China Station. He mastered the product knowledge and factory information, but was not sure when he could really use it. Before leaving, he practiced English expressions in front of the hotel mirror and memorized the characteristics of our sodium hyaluronate powder and solution on the high-speed rail.

At the booth, S was surrounded by a constant stream of exhibitors, and he spent most of his time assisting experienced colleagues. For two days, he had been standing near the reception desk, observing the interactions, handing out brochures, and quietly looking forward to a chance to talk alone.

The third day arrived.

A woman quietly appeared, her eyes sweeping over the hyaluronic acid powder in clear dropper bottles and vials neatly arranged on our stand. S looked around—each colleague was busy and excited around other customers. He took a deep breath and walked forward. "Hello," he said, "I'm S. Where are you from? Are you interested in sodium hyaluronate?"

"I'm from South Africa and I want to know more about Hyaluronic Acid," the woman replied with a friendly smile, her English was not very good. Their conversation was slow.

The woman's response was just the encouragement S needed. S introduced Focusfreda, explained his position, and invited her to try our hyaluronic acid solution. S's voice was trembling from time to time, but enthusiastic. S carefully guided the woman to experience the different viscosities of the product—one was thick gel-like, the other was thin liquid—and encouraged her to feel the texture on the back of her hand and observe the fineness of the sodium hyaluronate powder.

The lady was curious, so she stayed longer. Before leaving, she asked for some samples to take back.

That moment—when she handed him her business card—was the first time S had truly interacted with an international person on his own. He was no longer just a spectator, but stepped onto the stage to conduct business, no matter how insignificant the spotlight.

Two years passed.

They never met again at the show—until one day, during a Focusfreda TikTok live broadcast, a familiar name appeared in the chat. It was her.

“I still remember the dropper bottle,” she left a message. “It’s not an easy journey from Africa to China. But I’m glad we always remember each other.”

Now, S is no longer the unknown newcomer. He has become more confident by serving transcontinental clients. At that moment, he remembered everything: the lights of Shanghai, the crowded booth, the transparent liquid and powder in the bottle.

A few weeks later, the lady’s first order was confirmed by email.

She told S: she had finally created her own skincare brand.

For S, this was more than just a transaction. It was a full-circle moment – a reminder that in international trade, every handshake, every sample, every heartfelt conversation counts.

At Focusfreda, we believe that every product carries a story. Some products begin in a lab. Some begin with a hesitant greeting. But in the end, it’s all about people.