Startup Story
Born in the town of Kanye, Botswana, Refilwe Mongwaketse is the vibrant, energetic, and passionate founder of Thuma Mina Personal Shopping in South Africa. While her career background lies in Architecture and the Construction industry, Refilwe’s heart has always been drawn toward the captivating world of Personal Styling and Interior Design. Based in the bustling city of Johannesburg, South Africa, she has embarked on a journey fuelled by her unrelenting entrepreneurial spirit. For Refilwe, the transformative power of clothes has always been undeniable. She firmly believes that when we look good, we also feel good, allowing us to show up as our highest selves and perform at our peak level. Through Thuma Mina Personal Shopping, Refilwe has been able to ignite that fire within others and that has helped them to fulfil their dreams.
LoA spoke to founder Refilwe Mongwaketse about her vision and mission for her business and what the future holds for her own entrepreneurial journey.
What does your company do?
Thuma Mina Personal Shopping offers a range of services including: Interior Design, Styling, and Personal Shopping.
“Through Thuma Mina Personal Shopping, my aim is to ignite the fire within others and help them fulfill their dreams. Drawing upon my extensive career experience, I strive to empower individuals to be the best versions of themselves.”
“Empowering both men and women is at the core of my work. From Kanye to Johannesburg, my firm belief in the power of influencing and changing people’s lives propels me forward and gives me the ultimate satisfaction.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I started Thuma Mina as a way to assist individuals and businesses located outside the borders of South Africa. People who have an interest in shopping in South Africa but either don’t have the time to travel, aren’t able to navigate the streets of South Africa, people looking to save on travelling costs or simply aren’t able to, due to many other reasons, among them being the Covid-19 pandemic. Thuma Mina was founded in 2020 and has since evolved in the past years due to the then-imposed travelling restrictions around the world.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Thuma Mina’s service has garnered a loyal following, as individuals from all walks of life turn to me for their shopping needs, be it wardrobe makeovers, personal styling, interior design, or general shopping needs etc. This service has empowered so many people in their professional and personal journeys by providing them with access to supplies as well as convenience. The Personal Shopping helps individuals source and locate items that are hard to find, Personal Styling has transformed so many people through the transformative power of clothing and the Interior Design aspect has improved and enhanced my clients personal spaces, especially during the time of “work from home.” Thuma Mina Personal Shopping has provided convenience to people who have never even stepped outside their own countries because of fear of travelling. It has saved clients travelling time and money and they have managed to achieve that by shopping from the convenience of their homes.
Tell us a little about your team:
My team consists of myself and Bernard Tshuba. He serves as our Logistics Manager. As such, he oversees the logistics and distribution services and advises on all matters concerning logistics support. He has a deep passion for providing exceptional customer-focused service, so I have collaborated with him to ensure that our business model delivers on its value proposition to our clients.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I was born in a family of entrepreneurs, so entrepreneurship has always been a journey I knew I would partake in at some point in my future. However, growing up I had been actively avoiding it for the longest time because I thought having a 9-5 would allow me more time to spend with my family. Needless to say, I was very wrong because now as an entrepreneur I work even more than when I had a 9-5.
“I was born in a family of entrepreneurs, so entrepreneurship has always been a journey I knew I would partake in at some point in my future.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Through Thuma Mina Personal Shopping, my aim is to ignite the fire within others and help them fulfill their dreams. Drawing upon my extensive career experience, I strive to empower individuals to be the best versions of themselves. I am driven by the knowledge that by helping others, I am continuously empowered along this beautiful journey we call life. With Thuma Mina Personal Shopping, I endeavor to create a fashion-forward community where personal style becomes a form of self-expression through Styling & Interior Design, bringing about positive change in both individuals and their communities.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Empowering both men and women is at the core of my work. From Kanye to Johannesburg, my firm belief in the power of influencing and changing people’s lives propels me forward and gives me the ultimate satisfaction.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Believe in the magic of your dreams because if it’s your calling, it will continue to call you, until you answer. And when you do answer, give it your all, you will be pleasantly surprised as to what you can achieve when you believe in yourself.
Find out more:
Email: shopping@thuma-mina.co.za
Website: https://thuma-mina.co.za/
Facebook: http://ww.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063648037109
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thumaminapshopping/
Why LoA loves it….
Finding success as an entrepreneur is always easier when you follow your passion, and that is certainly the case with Refilwe Mongwaketse. Her passion for helping others to become confident versions of themselves through personal styling is reaping rewards. Her clients love both the convenience her services bring to their lives, and also the expertise and knowledge she brings to any assignment. Refilwe is a testimony to the power of building a niche business that knows its client segment and grows it through successful delivery of services that meet a need. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa