Lihle Magwambe
Hi, I’m Lihle Magwambe. I am CEO & Founder of Glowa Aesthetics.
I studied BCom Accounting at the University of the Western Cape and graduated. I am a state accountant by profession and an entrepreneur. I started a skincare brand due to the fact that I had skin problems myself, and once I figured out what works for my skin, I thought I could share with everyone.
I believe, “an expert in anything was once a beginner” - that’s my motto. I believe in starting somewhere and working hard to get to the top. I see myself owning a cosmetic shop one day.
Company Name: Glowa Aesthetics Pty Ltd
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Operating since: 2019
Instagram: @glowa_aesthetics & @glowaaesthetics
Tell us all about your company. What products do you offer?
I offer handmade organic skin care products for all skin concerns and hair care products. Whether you’re struggling with acne, dark spots, uneven skin tone or you just want to glow, I’m your girl.
How did you get the idea or concept for your company? What was your mission at the outset?
The mission and goal is to help people who have the same problem as me. I struggled with skin for so long. Now that I’ve figured out what works, I decided to share with people and there’s quite good reviews. It brings joy to my heart to see my products work for people because I know how it feels to have skin problems.
Growing up, did you always intend to start your own company?
Absolutely. I have always seen myself as an entrepreneur. I believe in multiple sources of income.
How have your past personal & professional experiences helped you to run your company?
My past experiences have helped me to believe in myself so much as I have always struggled with self esteem issues due to my skin. Now I have learnt to embrace myself and I understand that acne is a part of me. I need to treat it and be confident. The qualification I chose has assisted me with managing finances and being my own accountant.
What is the biggest personal / professional obstacle you've had to overcome?
Procrastinating. I had a tendency of waiting for the perfect time. I believe there’ll never be a perfect time for anything and you can’t necessarily be ready for anything - you must just do it. Basically, there’s no perfect time, just take any time and make it perfect. As I said in the beginning, “an expert in anything was once a beginner”.
What's your definition of success? Do you consider yourself a success?
Self-belief is success for me. The moment I started believing in myself - that I can achieve absolutely anything, that is when I made it in life.
Have the women around you helped you to rise? How?
My mom and some of my friends motivated me to keep going and they are also business minded.
What are some of your future plans? Are you working on anything else right now?
I want to own a cosmetic shop one day. I am working on having a website as well so that anyone across the world can shop online. I want the products to cross the border.
What advice would you give to a woman starting out in your industry or starting her own company/organization?
Believe that you can achieve anything you put your mind to it. Success is not for a selected few. It’s for anyone who chases it and works hard.
Describe yourself in ONE word. Boss
Complete this sentence: "To be a girl or woman today is..." believing in yourself and your vision.
If you enjoyed reading about Lihle Magwambe, you can follow her on Instagram.