Mirriam Ngomani has strutted and sashayed on some of the biggest ramps as South Africa’s supermodel. As the first black woman to be the face of Nivea, she still commands respect both as a model and actress. These days the Pretoria-based glamazon is carving a unique and personal path in entrepreneurship with grace and panache. As a pageant and runway coach for Miss Soweto and Miss Supreme Queen, she is grooming new models and beauty queens through her agency K Mile Model which she founded in 2011 and her Ultimate Modelling Masterclasses.
She speaks to Lesley Mofokeng about her amazing journey and reveals her business secrets and what makes her tick
Lesly Mofokeng (LM): How has your entrepreneurship journey been like so far?
Mirriam Ngomani (MM): It has been one interesting roller coaster ride of highs and lows, challenges, wins and celebrations. Overall, it has been very rewarding. I learn something new every day and I thrive on the success of my models and clients.
LM: What has been the toughest business lesson you learnt?
MM: The toughest business lesson I learnt the hard way is not to get into business with your partner. It is a murky environment fertile for conflict of interest and other unpleasantries that will pose a risk to your relationship.
LM: What business principles do you live by?
MM: I live by the principle of integrity. I believe in conducting business with my clients and models with utmost transparency and honesty.
LM: How has the business of modelling, beauty and pageants evolved since you started and how has that impacted what you offer?
MM: The modelling industry has undergone significant changes since I started back in the 1990s. We have seen the rise of social media and body positivity movements and these shifts have created new opportunities for diverse models, influencers, and entrepreneurs.
LM: What are the 3 things every entrepreneur needs to survive business?
MM: Resilience to bounce back from setbacks and failures. Loads of patience…and vision, vision, vision.
LM: How has your faith influenced your decision-making?
MM: My faith has significantly influenced my decision-making process. It provides me with a moral compass, which guides me to operate my business. My faith also gives me the courage to take calculated risks and trust in the higher power. I am God’s favourite princess.
LM: What have been the challenges and opportunities of running K Mile Models?
MM: I have had to adapt to a rapidly changing industry where everybody is a social media model. It was also important that I maintain a strong reputation so that I can attract brand opportunities, which would have led me to expand into new markets as well as the space of influencers. I have also collaborated with innovative brands through my work. I am
encouraged by how we have managed to empower diverse talent and promote inclusivity. A lot of things have changed.
LM: What has been your lowest point in business and your highest?
MM: The COVID-19 pandemic was my lowest point because we couldn’t operate under the strict lockdown rules and that hit businesses really hard. My highest point has been transitioning into the beauty pageant space and starting K Mile Models Academy which has transformed
so many people in so many ways.
LM: What are your projections for the future? What are you working towards for K Mile Models as a business and yourself?
MM: I have grand plans for my business. We will be launching new services and divisions that will enable us to continue to promote diversity, inclusivity, and body positivity in the industry. On a personal note, I’m focused on doing what I love with all my heart and that’s
mentoring and empowering the next generation of models. I am continuously innovating and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of the modelling industry.
