The smart boss @Gorgeous_Mbali (Mbali Sebapu) has done it again. The well-known entrepreneur and influencer is breaking boundaries and continues stepping into her greatness. The founder and CEO of Hermosa Flor recently launched another palette (White Lily), matte liquid lipsticks (Phadii, CEO, Glow Getter, Dreamchaser) and lip glosses (Sparkly + Pink Roses) which made R100k in less than an hour! Hermosa Flor is a make-up line which was launched on the 31^st of October! This Girl Boss has used her plateform to make waves in a short space of time. Its definitely her Phadii, her Rules! Girl Boss interviewed her a while ago and this is what she had to say.

• Please share with me who Mbali Sebapu is – how would you define yourself?

Mbali Sebapu is a young girl from Soshanguve, I’m 29 turning 30 in June. I’d describe myself as fun, loving and a go getter.

• Mbali, where did you start and how did that lead you to where you are today – please share your growth journey?

After matric I went to TUT to do analytical chemistry then I dropped out after I did my first year. I then joined the Navy and stayed in the Navy for 10 years until last year Feb then I resigned to start Hermosa Flor and now I work for Hermosa Flor.

• When you were still employed, how did you manage to jungle being an influencer, a student and an employee?

I worked shifts, so not like your 9-5 every Monday to Friday, so I worked one day 24 hours then I got 3 days off, so I had enough time in-between to do other things. So maybe prepare my content or whatever the brand wants with the spare time I had. I’d work as an influencer yet I was also a student at Stellenbosch. So, because of the off days I got, life was easy because I worked 8 times a month. Only 8 times.

• What did you study in Stellenbosch and what was your role in the Navy?

I studied a BMil in Human Organisational Development, the majors are industrial psychology with public development management and a bit of law. And in the Navy, I was an operations supervisor for Durban.

• You worked in the SA Navy for 10 years, why did you decide to leave?

I think when you start finding happiness outside your work, you realize this is not what I want to do forever, you start checking what you like and what can you do to make sure you achieve your goals and go to that dream job that you really want. Being in the Navy was good and enjoyable but it was not for me. I realized I like beauty, I like all things beauty and not the military.

• However, what did you learn from the Navy, there are certain value within the Military, so what did you take from that?  

I’ve learnt discipline, time management and not to procrastinate therefore do your work at the right time. I’ve learnt a lot of things; my 10 years were worth it. I don’t regret anything.

• Are you still happy with the decision to leave and did leaving change your life?

Yes, leaving changed my life. Yes, I am happy, I’m doing what I love now. So, my time is spent on my dreams and goals every day and it’s been great. My journey with Hermosa Flor has been great so far.

• So how long have you been an influencer now?

Since 2014 and I was 24 when I started. At that time, I called myself Gorgeous Mafia (laughs).

• Do you think being an Influencer in SA is enough or do you feel like it’s necessary to be more than that?

It’s necessary to be more than that, because you can’t just wait for brand. There are a lot of influencers now, so that means you might wait for 6 months to make money.  So why not use your influence to make money at any time and you can control everything yourself. I feel like we should have our own brands since we are capable to influence others.

• How would you advise someone who aspires to become an influencer – how can one tap into this space?

I think a lot of people ask me this question every day. You don’t wake up and say I am prepping myself to be an influencer because if you do that, we’ll see it’s not authentic. So just be you because you will find other influencers don’t want to share certain products because they aren’t being paid. If you are an influencer you must want to share things even when the brand is not involved. You have to be selfless.

• But in a more practical sense what does one have to do?

You need to be consistent, you should post almost every day. At least one post, your content must add value to your audience. E.g. you can’t post a tree, post something that someone can associate with you. It’s important to have a niche, don’t do everything.

• What, would you say, have you done differently from other influencers that has kept you so relevant to your followers?

I always make sure I don’t treat my audience as fans. And I always make sure I’m nice because when you start treating them like fans they feel uncomfortable. You’ll end up losing followers because of that. I also make sure I always keep true to my personality when posting content, I prefer making my own title rather than getting a set caption.

• We noticed, you have a lot of Qs and As on Instagram, does this also take place via DMs?

Yes, you don’t want the restaurant to be one way, you want a conversation. You telling me how you feel and I do the same. People will really see how much you care about them rather just telling them of a product and just leaving it there.

• There is a conception that one needs money to influence? Is this true or false? And Why?

No, it’s a lie. You can influence anything and everything without leaving the house. People think you have to spend 80% of your time in a restaurant, being out with friend taking selfies. No, your OOTDs can be taken at any place, just be creative.

• However, in terms of have products and samples, for you to influence you need to have products especially if advertising beauty. Do you need that new foundation or new skincare line?

No, influence what you have. Work with what you have, work with what you afford. Don’t try Chanel because it’s one of the “in” products. Use what you have.

• What type of influencer would you describe yourself as? Would you say you are a travel, beauty, lifestyle.

Everything, beauty and lifestyle. I’m your girl for everything. However, I focus on beauty and skincare.

• You’re a striving business woman now, in a few words, how would you describe this journey towards entrepreneurship?

Challenging but you learn every day. You make mistakes, you learn, it’s a nice journey. You wake up every day and you focus on something that you know the end result will benefit you. Unlike waking up and doing something for someone and they are the ones benefiting. You only getting 5%. So here, you work with an open heart. It doesn’t even feel like you working.

• Do you think a mentor is important?

Yes, you need someone that has a bit of experience. That can teach you, how to do the things you don’t know.

• Why beauty tho? Why a makeup range?

You know I enjoy doing Live stories on Instagram, so when I was doing my face, at the time I was in Durban, a lot of people would ask what lipstick is that, what eyeshadow is that and then I realized I have potential customers. So, if I come up with my own brand, my followers will actually buy the brand.

• Who is your biggest competition?

I don’t feel like there is competition. I’m just in my lane doing my thing. Competition will lead to unnecessary pressure and I’ll start releasing palettes without thought. However, I’m inspired by Huda and Kylie Cosmetics.

• Hermosa Flor is your new baby, what steps did you take to establish it? Name, manufacturing etc.

I left the Navy and took my pension money. I then invested every cent into my business. My 10-year pension. It happened so fast. So, I found a supplier online, she invited me to china to test all the products, quality and colours. I approved the samples then after one and half months, they were done with production. They supplier has different sections that concentrate on different factors like packaging, filling, designs. So, it’s a whole process. The brand is named after Mbali and Hermosa Flor is Spanish for beautiful flower.

• What was the time frame because you mentioned it happened fast?

I left the navy around Feb/March and I launched in October. However, started in July. It was just so fast.

• What would you like young women in SA to know or aspire to? (Since 2020 is about Winning and Bossing up).

Take risks, take big risks. Don’t play small. You know the type pf life you want and you know playing small won’t take you there or its going to take you years. You should also learn, be willing to take advice from people who have experience.

• If it wasn’t for your following, do you think you still would’ve launched Hermosa Flor?

Yes, I was going to use influencers to influence because you can still do that. You don’t need a huge following, as long as you have a good marketing strategy, you can do it.

• How will you be Bossing Up even further this year?

This year I’m launching a few new products. Adding to what exists. Bringing in new lip colours and eyeshadows. So, ladies be on the watch out!