Thobile Wana | Resell Programme | Johannesburg
My name is Thobile Wana. I am 31 years old and I live in Diepkloof, Soweto. I am the founder of Thobis Lifestyle Boutique.
Fashion has always been my way of helping people feel confident, and running my shop has taught me how much I love business. I am hardworking, I learn fast, and I am not afraid to start small and build up. Right now, I am focused on growing myself so that I can grow my business and create opportunities for others.
Being selected for this opportunity means a lot to me. It means that someone believes in my potential, and that gives me even more drive. It is a chance to gain the skills and mentorship that I did not have when I started Thobis Lifestyle Boutique. I see this programme as the bridge between where I am now and where I know I can go.
What excites me most is learning how to manage money in my business properly, improve my marketing, and scale my business. I want to better understand stock management, pricing, and how to use social media to reach more customers beyond Soweto. I am looking forward to learning practical skills that I can apply immediately.
My vision is for Thobis Lifestyle Boutique to become a trusted name in Soweto and beyond. My goal is to open more stores, employ young people from my community, and eventually start my own clothing line. I want to build a business that lasts and gives back.
Financial independence is everything to me. It means being able to take care of myself, support my family, and make choices without fear. It also means being able to reinvest in my business and create employment opportunities for others. I do not want to simply survive. I want to build wealth that creates freedom.
If I grow, my family grows with me. This opportunity means I can become a better provider and a real example to my siblings and younger relatives. I want to break cycles and show them that with skills and discipline, we can change our story.
Graduating from this programme would prove to myself that I can finish what I start and that I am ready for the next level. It would mean that I have the tools to run Thobis Lifestyle Boutique professionally and the confidence to expand. It is not just a certificate. It is a new chapter.
My advice to others is simple: start where you are with what you have. I started Thobis Lifestyle Boutique without all the answers. You will doubt yourself, but do not stop. Ask for help, keep learning, and take one small step every day. Your situation is not your destination.
My future feels brighter because I am choosing to invest in myself, and programmes like TCB are giving me the tools to turn my hustle into a legacy.
Taking Care of Business (TCB) is a nonprofit social enterprise. We are empowering unemployed South Africans and their families to escape the cycle of poverty through small business opportunities, mostly within the circular economy.