Profile Feature: Michelle Expert The Entrepreneur.

By Phumzile Mavimbela

Today We get to know Michele Expert a young entrepreneur residing in Joburg. Her background of entrepreneurship has served as s stepping stone to cultivating the power house she is today. There are so many social ills which have entangled young people, so when we see positivity we always want to give honor where it is due. Today we shine the spotlight on this phenomenal young women .

Who is Michelle, where did you grow up?

Michelle is a Zimbabwean born 25 year old woman who grew up in cape town during her younger years and later in Johannesburg. I was raised by entrepreneurial parents who ran a family business called “ Creative Crafters” that made art sculptures with wires, beads and wood. Growing up I have always been an ambitious fire ball that just wanted to do more. From selling sweets in high school, to starting a small mobile hair salon in my teenage years, I have always had a plan to get out there and be in business. Most of my family members are entrepreneurs and have always been. I guess as a 2nd generation entrepreneur, I can easily say its something that was embedded in me. Some of my teenage weekends were spent at my parents shop either selling the artwork or helping the employees make some of the sculptures they were making. I've always been really great with working with my hands and using my skills to make money.

Growing up in a household that was run by entrepreneurs gave me the push I didn't realize I needed. This is because like any other business person, life has a lot of up and downs. One moment you live in a mansion eating every single thing you can ever imagine, the other you are living in a very crowded and disadvantaged community with the frustration of not having the lifestyle you used to have. That was my life. This subconsciously gave me a push to always want to go hard in everything I do because of the fear of those up and downs.

Business Interests and Ventures.?

In high school I used to do hair in the community that I lived in that turned into a house call business. I remember at some point an old friend and I opened a small salon at a taxi rank so we could get more clients. That didn't end well because our parents weren't so excited about 2 young teenage girls standing by a taxi rank underneath a small shelter they called a salon waiting for people who want to get their hair done.

I have always been passionate about beauty and making things beautiful, Which explains my very first official business that still runs to this day.

I started an events and décor company at the age of 18 in 2015 after working as a wedding and events coordinator in Muildersdrift for a number of years called Lavish Decor & Events. This company went on to expand as a marketing and events creative agency because of my marketing qualification and some years of experience in corporate while running the events company as a side hustle. My passion has been to always make things beautiful and being part of peoples experiences while I do that was a dream come true.

In 2020 Feb I went on to pursue a childhood dream of mine which is opening a beauty salon called Lavish Beauty Bar. Currently I am running both the events and marketing creative agency and the beauty bar.

what inspires me and what makes my craft unique?

I'm inspired by seeing people being impacted whether its by being made beautiful through the beauty bar, given an experience through an event or business transformed. I'm driven by seeing the change in others and making an income while at it.

I think what makes my craft unique is that its ME that's doing it. its my ideas and my passion. That's what I think is my superpower. the fact that i give all of me in a project and it comes out to show you Michelle, her heart and what she works hard to present to the world. There is no other Michelle but me and i think giving myself to world is the most unique thing i can ever do.

What grounds you and keeps you focused ?

My faith and vision grounds me, I have an idea of where I want to be and that's something that i always keep in mind no matter where I go and what I have to do, That's something that keeps me focused and helps me navigate through any time of my life.

Who do I look up to in my field and why?

I am inspired by Ester Laude story. a woman who built an empire from her passion. step by step building a business with what she had and her influence. she's not necessary in my field but her story inspires me and i look up to the work she's done.

If I were to wake up and see myself achieving my greatest dream, what would it be?

It would be owning and successfully running the biggest beauty business in the world with a beauty school what teaches women to start their own and groom themselves. Since dreams can be endless i would go ahead and tour the world to speak to different business leaders on supporting and building businesses in developing countries. I would also speak and share on my personal development journey.

Top business tips to upcoming/young entrepreneurs

Don't try do it alone. There is someone out there whos done what you want to do and similar to what you want to do. seek help, advice and counsel from people.
Trust yourself. Walk and do what you do with confidence and not doubt. If you make mistakes, that's fine! you will learn from them and become better, just don't be scared to fail and make mistakes. Trust yourself even when it doesn't make sense, trust yourself
Learn as much as you can. Take courses and advance your skills to level up your skills development
Learn as much financial literally as you possibly can in your personal life and for your business
Emotional intelligence is key. this will determine the longevity of the decisions you make today and their impact

Article Tags

Michele Expert

Entreprenuers

Business

Young Women in Business