The world of entrepreneurship is not just for business titans – celebrities are also diving into the world of business, using their talents, spotlight and passion to build successful businesses and brands.
Vutivi Business asked some of Mzansi’s top celebs, who have made a name for themselves in the entertainment industry, to share their secrets to success in the business world.
Singer and songwriter Zama Jobe, also known as Zamajobe Sithole, opened a music and food spot called Ndawo yami Buy and Braai in Vosloorus.
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Inspired by her friend’s suggestion, Sithole took the leap and turned her passion into a business.
“I find that it’s all in one. What I do is still having strong music and art, but now there’s just a strong food element to it as well,” she said.
Sithole’s business offers traditional dishes with a unique twist, showcasing her creativity, attention to detail and love for food.
Despite facing challenges every day, she said the importance of consistency and staying up to date with industry trends.
Gogo Skhotheni, also known as Patricia Tumi Motsoeneng, is a DJ, podcast host and entrepreneur who has ventured into several business initiatives.
From co-owning Cavo Lounge in Johannesburg to opening her club in Frankfort in the Free State, Skhotheni’s journey began in 2020. She plans on growing her brand across different industries.
Skhotheni explained that her work was rooted in creativity, healing and authenticity, providing people with spaces, products and content they could genuinely connect with.
Her biggest challenge was getting people to take her seriously and believing in herself.
She overcame this by showing up every day, no matter how disheartened she felt, building a strong network of support and allowing herself to grow through lessons was her solution.
Musician, poet, bead artist and owner of House of Mobu Online, Ntsiki Mazwai, believes that as an artist, she was called to use her craft and voice to impact society.
She had to learn how to structure and monetise her work to make a lasting impact.
“Focusing on the business side of my art has taught me discipline, budgeting and the power of executing on plans. Once you master these, you won’t go wrong,” she said.
Mazwai said it was important to manage cash flow, meet customer expectations and market, despite limited budgets.
She advised aspiring business owners to start small, build gradually and prioritise self-care and discipline while at it.
Singer Nomcebo Zikode, known for her powerful voice and captivating stage presence, blending Afro-house and other genres in her music, is also the owner of Emazulwini Productions and Projects (Pty) Ltd, which was established in 2018.
Zikode said coming from humble beginnings, she has had to create her own opportunities, with her ambition leading to success in both her music career and business.
However, she finds it hard to balance her roles as an executive and artist. Some business decisions do not favour her art.
She revealed that one of her biggest challenges in growing her business was surviving during tough times.
“I’ve had to use personal funds to keep paying salaries, which can be difficult,” she said. “Sometimes business does require taking a step back to allow the business to regain its strength.”
Zikode shared that investing in emerging talent has paid off.
She encouraged entrepreneurs to take risks.
“I had to purchase a property to run an office and house talent, investing in their careers, and it has paid off so far,” she said.
Regarding funding for businesses, she advises using what one has, to achieve the best results. She also emphasises the importance of networking, as access to resources is often based on who you know.
“For SMMEs looking to break into the creative industry, I would advise you to focus on the process rather than the outcome. Successful businesses in the creative industry know what they’re doing and have a clear plan,” she said.
