The Sunday News
Valencia Ndhlovu, Sunday News Reporter
MOST people change professions as time changes for known and unknown reasons which may be impacted by different exposures.
One might realise that a person who hoped to be an engineer becomes a nurse, while one who wished to be a teacher moves into business instead. People find different interests depending on who they meet; what they see as well as experiences they encounter. Some people discover their purpose after realising a gap in society hence, leading to entrepreneurs of different works.
Sunday News recently caught up with a young budding Bulawayo-based entrepreneur, Ms Mercy Mabiza (27) who graduated with an Honours Degree in Applied Biology and Biochemistry from the National University of Science and Technology (Nust). However, instead of pursuing a career in Biochemistry she went on to establish a custom-made handbags business, launching the label, Royale Infinity. The change in profession was driven by a gap she realised in society, lack of designers in the country.
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“I draw my inspiration from the fact that there are a few women from Bulawayo who are making it in the business space and from the few most of them have left, so I told myself that I want to be one of those who make it here and stay relevant here and that’s what makes me want to get up and want to be the best version of myself,” she said.
Ms Mabiza describes herself as overly ambitious, strategic and goal-oriented person as she has managed to build a thriving company, Royale Infinity which ventures in making custom-made handbags. She is also into tourism, running a catering company and soon will be venturing into cosmetics.
She revealed that it was not easy for her to desert her hard-earned degree and focus on being an entrepreneur but, she took the risk, with a lot of pressure from society that felt her career choice was flawed.
“I celebrate problems as I tell myself that I’m going to bring the solution or be the solution. I have several projects at hand and as much as the road may be bumpy, I’m not giving up without a fight,” she said.
On her journey in the business world, Ms Mabiza said it has not always been easy but attributed her success to hard work.
“In June 2020 I launched my own company Royal Infinity bags which specialises in branded handbags. I am the creative director and creative designer, meaning I’m the one who registered the company.
“The name was inspired by the fact that I wanted people to feel like queens when carrying the bag, I registered the company and every design is from my head. Most people would think I studied business management because I’m very aggressive in business as I told myself that I didn’t study for this like other people. I got into the industry and put my foot down so I could be taken seriously regardless of whether I had certificates or not. So, I can say I am a self-made entrepreneur and most of my knowledge I have is from books I read as I am also a bookworm,” she said.
Ms Mabiza is also a director for Taba Tinted camps in Hillside Dams, she owns a catering company called Royalty Catering and has also ventured into an initiative called Making Money Mondays where every Monday people with businesses who need the exposure they then assist in marketing their businesses.
Ms Mabiza is also moving into cosmetics where she says she will finally put into use her Biochemistry qualification through the formulation of treatment strategies for people with skin conditions that need attention.
