Female Founder Name: Vuyisile (Vuyi) Zondi

Business Name: Corium Skincare

Industry: Personal Care (Skincare / Beauty / Grooming)

What inspired you to start your business?

Corium started as a hobby / passion business where I had an organic passion and interest in grooming and all things girly. I started making products from the stove for friends and some of my Business School classmates and through encouragement started to offer the products on social media, Twitter.

When did you start?

As a hobby, April 2016.

Why this specific industry?

Skincare or personal care speaks to my girly-girly personality and my interest in things which enhance our confidence and allow us to feel good or better about ourselves. Having been an acne-sufferer myself, I understood the pains and discomfort of skin problems and it was exciting for me to offer something to assist with that.

What obstacles did you face starting up, and how did you overcome them?

Work-life-balance. I used to run Corium as a side hustle alongside my corporate career, which in itself was very demanding. I had very little time for any social life and I wanted to get everything perfect from the start. I struggled quite a bit with capacity initially.

What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since starting your business?

To have a big-picture mentality and still honour the small details of the business. It is important to always start with the end in mind and to support it with good day-to-day commitment.

Why work for yourself when there’s stability in working for others?

I believed that I needed to be hands-on with Corium and to invest myself more in the business, and also to be able to modify its business model while being fully invested. It no longer made any sense for me to continue treating it as a side hustle.

What is the one characteristic that you possess that has helped make you so successful?

I think I have a very strong and positive core and I carry with me a strong sense of self-belief in the things that I attempt and do, that also helps me to show up as my best and to give my best to all of my tasks.

What’s your guiding business philosophy?

Do everything in love; give of yourself excellently to all of your tasks.

At what moment did this venture become real for you?

When I joined Corium as a full-time entrepreneur in January 2019.

What is the most challenging part about being an entrepreneur?

Everything rests on your shoulders, whether you are having a good day or a negative day, you have to be committed to the business and make real-time decisions.

What makes it all worth it?

The positive advocacy which exists around Corium. The way people love and vouch for the brand. My goodness, that touches me.

What advice do you have for someone just starting out?

Do as much research and environmental scanning as possible.

How do you define success?

Loving what you do, being excellent at what you do and leaving a positive impact because of how you do it.

What did you do differently from the rest of us?

Lol, I am not sure. I wake up super early while the rest of the world is still asleep.

What do you believe is the female founder effect?

An ability to evoke positive advocacy and positive attitudes about women entrepreneurs.

What do you believe is the most impactful and immediate action society needs to move closer to Generation Equality goals?

We need to shed our imposter syndrome, as a whole, as women in all parts of society so that we can be recognized for our worth, paid our worth and seen as value-adding.

Which woman has positively impacted you in your career/business? And what is the one lesson she taught you?

Many. To single out one, my former boss and CEO, Luizet Ruzow, my goodness, she was a bold leader and not easily intimidated by the world of business. A strong performer with an equally strong presence.

What is your superpower?

My way with words. I am an incredibly adept and good communicator. I am able to shape my thoughts and world views in a way that evokes positivity and is inspirational. I do not take for granted the gift I have been given with words, spoken and written.

What centres you?

My faith and moments of peace and serenity.

What is your next adventure?

REST. Haha, honestly, I need to develop other aspects of my personal life to have a more holistically rounded life.