By Azwidohwi Mamphiswana
At just 20 years old, Busisiwe Mtembu is defying the odds and turning a small online business into a growing success. While most university students juggle assignments and exams, Mtembu is balancing her studies at the Durban University of Technology while running a flourishing handbag resale business, Sacred Handbags. Mtembu’s entrepreneurial journey hasn’t been without its bumps, but her ability to turn setbacks into opportunities is what makes her story so inspiring. “I started my first business back in 2022. It was a wholesale business called YourPersonalAssistant, where I sold clothes, sneakers, and handbags. But it didn’t go well. I didn’t make a single sale after launching it,” Mtembu recalls.
“After a month of advertising, I gave up. But that failure pushed me to start again, this time giving it my all.” That’s when Sacred Handbags was born. Mtembu, determined to find a profitable niche, decided to focus on reselling handbags. “I was on the hunt for a cute handbag but didn’t have a lot of money to spend. Within a week, I couldn’t find one, and that’s when I found my first supplier,” she shared. “It was a lightbulb moment — why not offer affordable, quality bags for people like me?”
Armed with this new idea, Mtembu turned to social media to build her brand. Having previously dabbled in content creation, she already understood the power of platforms like Instagram and TikTok. “I knew how to create a story using pictures and how to showcase products,” she said. “I decided to translate that knowledge into starting Sacred Handbags. My friends and family played a huge role in my early success through their likes, comments, and reposts.” There was one platform Mtembu found particularly helpful. “WhatsApp has been key to my business. It allows me to engage directly with potential customers. That one-on-one interaction helps me understand their needs and provide better customer service. Feedback from my audience is essential to improving my business and keeping up with market trends.”
Balancing studying with running a business that also sells weaves has not been without its challenges. “Time management has been my biggest struggle. I started Sacred Handbags thinking it would be a part-time job, but it quickly became a full-time commitment. “Now I juggle being a full-time student and business owner for two businesses. It’s been tough, but my biggest motivation is that I can’t afford to fail. I’ve come too far to quit now,” she told Vutivi News.
Despite these hurdles, Mtembu has found inspiration in the very thing her business is built on: fashion. “Fashion isn’t just about clothes; it’s a way to express creativity. For me, handbags are a medium to show that creativity. I also love how I can bring value to my customers by offering them high-quality items at affordable prices.” Pricing, she explained, was a delicate balancing act. “Prices are influenced by factors like the saturation of buyers and suppliers. When demand is high, prices go up. When there are too many suppliers offering similar products, we have to lower prices to stay competitive.” Looking ahead, Mtembu has big plans. “Right now, my focus is on sustainable growth. I want to successfully grow both of my businesses while maintaining balance. I’m not thinking about expanding just yet, but I do want to attract a larger audience and increase my brand’s reach.”
