We are all familiar with the famous idiom “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade” this is exactly what Thumeka Mcobothi, founder and managing director of Black Queen Pty (ltd) has been doing with her innovative business ventures.
Born in Marina, a small village in Bizana in the Eastern Cape the ambitious young entrepreneur has been an inspiration to the youth in her village with her business venture that have been breaking boundaries in the small community. The mother of two who was forced to drop out of college to take of her ailing mother was faced with the daunting task of heading her family after her mother’s passing. She had to find had to find a job and in 2017 she was hired as a Beauty Therapist at the renowned Mangwanani Beauty Spar and from there she found her calling, entrepreneurship.
Inspired by Sbusiso Ngwenya, the founder of the luxury socks clothing label, Skinny Sbu she started her own clothing line, Black Queen Clothing, “After the passing of my mother, as the eldest in my family I had to find a way to ensure that my siblings are taken care of. Starting and managing my own business has been rollercoaster ride that has taken me to places that I have never imagine” Said Thumeka. The bubbly entrepreneur who refers to herself as the Black Queen in reference to her dark skin recently started a Still Water brand, L’aQua Joyce as tribute to her late mother, Joyce Mcobothi. “I draw my inspiration from different business leaders but Sbusiso Ngwenya has been top of my list” she continued laughing.
She says her mission is to grow the economy in her community through her businesses, offer employment to the youth and make a positive change. “inspiring change in the youth around me and possibly in the world is what I am aiming for. We all know the challenge of job creation in our country so I want to be part of the youth that changes that” she concluded. Her products are currently available through her Facebook pages, Black Queen and LaQua Joyce.
