Life growing up for me was beautiful and fun. My upbringing was like any other child my age. I come from a very big family, where I had the support of my parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts. The support system was amazing in every sense of the phrase. In retrospect, I have never encountered many problems growing up. It takes time for a person to fully develop quite instinctively with a host of grooming habits involved. Teenagers and young adults alike, may think that they are set in motion, however that is not always the case. People need to search and explore who they are in a more intellectual manner. Some old and young people even realise that it is never too late to learn life’s new lessons, and even change one’s way of thinking. It is all about finding meaning in life and spreading beauty throughout the world. This journey is quite unique to each and every individual to embark on. As we grow up, we quickly realise that things are as easy as they seem to be. I had the same privilege and learned to stand up for myself, and that is why I started everything I am doing now. "Mpho Ledwaba said"
Accademic achievements
I studied quite a few things:
*Public Relations
*Management Assistant and film&TV Production
Fashion inspiration
I started having interest in fashion when I was only just 12 years old. Normally, the youngest child in the family is always considered to be the “favourite.” For my siblings and I, our mother treated all of us the same and would equally spend in terms of buying clothes and other things for us. Whenever we were playing house together with my peers, I preferred wearing my clothes, or maybe pick one or two items from my aunt’s wardrobe and do fashion parades. Boy! What a time to be alive. To this day, I still love matching my outfits, dress up, make-up and look good.
Has fashion always been your passion?
Most definitely, I always had a good fashion taste, mind-set and tips. Because I was still young and in high school, I didn’t know how and where to reach audiences from broader platforms. While I was in Braamfontein doing my first year MSC Business College in 2016, I came across many influencers and celebrities. They all played a vital role and lifted my spirit up to venture into the fashion world. I then decided to open an Instagram account just to hype and get my style out there. It wasn’t really easy at first, as you know patience is everything when you are always trying your best to fulfill your dreams.
Mpho Ledwaba's favorite designer
My favourite fashion designer is Dazy Ray from Kolkata West Bengal, India. His work in the fashion industry is so much to rave about. He is a legend in his own right and a household name too.
When and how Mpho's business started
Until March 2021 when I started my online selling business(Bettie’s Boutique), I used to purchase clothes online from one lady who also has an online store. She sells most of her stuff to celebrities across the country. Seeing the great change she has made in the market, I also felt inspired to start my own online store as well.
Advantages and disadvantages of selling online?
1.Advantages
• Convenience is the biggest advantage.
• Stores open 24 hours a day.
• My corporate culture as I put on my fashion stylist skill, mostly I pair my clothes myself and come up with codes looking at the colour and structure of the product, including bags and accessories.
2.Disadvanateges
• Logistics and distribution problems (clients are very concerned about how long they can receive the clothes they ordered.)
• Fitting problems (in traditional clothing, purchasing mode customers always need to go through a trial wear and touch fabrics before buying, so in this case without a real review, they actually buy something they have never seen. Sometimes it becomes a problem if they receive what they have not expected in terms of quality and colour.
Is the business of selling clothes online generate enough income?
Looking at the time I started this business, I think the income is little enough because my business recently picked up and slowly but surely making good profit. It is still a small business simply because there are many things which I still need to include to improve its standard.
Where do you see yourself in the fashion industry in years to come?
I would mostly love to see myself being a fashion expert that others come to me for ideas, help and strategy. In future and dreaming of this moment, I would also like to take a lead and style TV personality Luthando Sosha also known as Lootlove. She is my biggest inspiration and someone I look up to. To get that opportunity of a lifetime, I will work my way up the ranks and reach heights that the fashion industry has to offer.
For more information get in touch with:
• Bettie’s Boutique
• Call or WhatsApp Mpho( 0646519757)
• Instagram_ @Mphowza_tee