What inspired you to write the book?
I wrote this book as a way to let people into my world. I wanted to tell my story and give people a better understanding of who I really am. The book is a tool to empower those who want to follow in my footsteps as luxury brand influencers. I also wanted to inspire anyone with a dream, and let them know that it is possible to achieve it even if the odds may currently be stacked against you.
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What was the writing experience like?
Collaborating with Lebo Grand made the process of telling my story easy and pleasurable. There was chemistry right from the start, and I felt that he understood where I was coming from, and the message I was trying to share with the world. I've never written a book before, so having him on board made the experience delightful. I enjoyed every minute.
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What is the book about?
The book shares my personal journey: from humble beginnings in Soweto, all the way to the world’s fashion capital, Milan. I start the book by sharing my early memories of a little girl growing up in Soweto. I talk about experiencing bullying in school, and then gradually progress into my early working life. I candidly share about the wins and losses in my entrepreneurial journey. There are tips and insights on how you can build a digital brand, particularly on Instagram. I also go into detail about what I regard as one of my biggest career highlights – an invitation to the Ferragamo show in Milan, Italy. And, there are other things that will help readers know me better.
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What are your three tips to someone building their brand?
- Find out what you are passionate about or enjoy doing with your time.
- Choose your target market
- Be consistent in serving that target market. Remember, reputation (or brand) is not built on what you’re going to do, but on what you’ve already done. So, get to work and be consistent.
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You posted a snippet from your book with the title “What hurts you essentially motivates you”. Elaborate on this quote.
I’ve encountered my fair share of haters. The motivation I got was in the form of anger. But, not the destructive “I’m gonna kill you” kind of anger. Rather, the kind that makes you want to prove a point. You’re still killing them, but doing it softly. You know the saying “kill them with success”. Now, that’s the best revenge. Instead of acting nasty towards them, I chose to channel my anger or hurt into something positive – growing my business and building my digital brand – it eventually paid off.
