While most university students focus solely on coursework, 20-year-old Busisiwe Mtembu has taken on the demanding role of a full-time entrepreneur.

Juggling her studies at the Durban University of Technology with managing two growing businesses, Sacred Handbags, and Sacred Quality Hair, Mtembu’s journey reflects the challenges and opportunities of youth entrepreneurship in South Africa.

Her first attempt at business in 2022, a wholesale venture called Your Personal Assistant, ended in failure when she failed to secure a single sale.

“After a month of advertising, I gave up,” she recalled. But instead of walking away from entrepreneurship, she used the experience as a learning curve.

Determined to find a profitable niche, Mtembu identified a gap in the handbag resale market.

“I was on the hunt for a cute handbag but didn’t have a lot of money to spend. Within a week, I couldn’t find one, and that’s when I found my first supplier. It was a lightbulb moment—why not offer affordable, quality bags for people like me?” she said.

Mtembu took a more strategic approach the second time around. Unlike her first venture, she saved up and invested in inventory before launching Sacred Handbags.

“I had no choice but to make sure that it sells,” she explained. Once the business became successful, she reinvested her earnings into launching Sacred Quality Hair.

Managing two businesses while pursuing a degree is a demanding task.

“I quickly learned that running two brands wouldn’t be the same as replying to messages and delivering orders after school,” she said.

The rapid growth of her businesses forced her to refine her time management skills, adopting a strict schedule of early mornings and late nights.

“I also had to eventually ask for help as I can’t do business and school all alone,” she admitted.

Mtembu’s business success is closely tied to her ability to market her products effectively. Social media has played a crucial role, though she acknowledges the need to continuously adapt to shifting algorithms.

Her approach involves using TikTok and Facebook to attract potential customers, then maintaining direct engagement through WhatsApp.

“That way, I can market to people who are already keen on buying my product,” she explained.

Mtembu believes the fear of failure often holds young people back from starting their own businesses.

“If you are between the ages of 18-25, these are the best years to experiment. You honestly have nothing to lose,” she said.

“If a business fails, change your strategy and try again.”

On pricing strategies, she highlighted how market saturation affects profit margins.

“If a lot of suppliers are selling the same products, prices can become very competitive. You have to make sure that you provide value, convenience, and affordability.”

For students looking to build a business from scratch, Mtembu stresses three key priorities: maintaining good grades, mastering time management, and studying both the product and the market before launching.

“A qualification makes people trust and believe in you even more,” she noted.

With her businesses growing, Mtembu’s next goal is to scale sustainably while expanding her audience.

“I’m not thinking about expanding just yet, but I do want to attract a larger audience and increase my brand’s reach,” she said.

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