Queen Posh
N
omathemba Primrose Ndebele is a Fashion Entrepreneur, a mother and a partner who runs a luxury fashion line, POSH based in Harare Zimbabwe with an online shop serving clients in major global cities. On the social media circles Nomathemba is whoever you ask of her. Basically, her personality depends on how she has been approached. Some find her intimidating while others have grown to love her inspirational talks about life, business and relationships.
2. Noma, at what age did you discover that you wanted to become your own boss and what really transpired prior to that decision?
Like most people, I have always wanted to be my own boss but lacked the courage and will to take that “huge leap of faith”. It took years of dancing in the mud for me to learn the business skills I have today. After having worked as a shop attended in one of Harare’s leading boutiques for years, i finally gathered the strength to venture into my own business when I was 30. It took a lot of disciplined planning and just grabbing every opportunity as it came. Starting from selling clothes at Avondale stall to selling off the boot of my car to opening our current flagship store at Joina City and launching our global online store. During my years as a Shop Attendant I discovered the potential and gift I had for fashion and all the clients where always happy with my service. This pushed me to the next
stage: Creating my own line with all things POSH, spiced up with a vintage charm and unmatched personalized service.
EVERYONE. If you haven’t discovered yours, make an effort. Find yours! Follow it to the end and all good things will happen.
3. How did you manage to establish such an amazing brand and how was the journey like?
6. Noma, as much as you’re a darling to a lot of people, there is still some people who dislike and criticize you. How do you deal with criticism?
Posh has been built on the values and ethics I naturally believe in: Convenience, Quality and Integrity. This has made it easy for me to start and carry a great brand and keep it genuine through the years. The journey has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride, the mad highs and the sad lows but in the end that’s what has made the journey worth it and i would never give it up for anything.
4. Where do you derive your motivation when you begin feeling like quitting? I have been fortunate enough to gain local and international support and have had a lot of wins since starting the business. It’s the “wins” I have encountered over the years which have kept me alive and going on during my down time. The thought of the “wins’ i have had has painted a permanent picture in my head that all things are possible and quitting is never an option.
5. Noma, you’re an inspiration and many people aspire to be like you and beyond any doubt, they see you as a role model. What’s your advice to everyone who sees you as an example?
A gift is something you do with the least effort, better than most people. Everyone is born with a specific gift.
Over the past years I have discovered that I can never please everyone or stand in the right light for everyone. It’s impossible. Even the biggest of blue-chip companies or super star celebrities the world over have many negative reviews and reports about them. The moment I learnt that, I discovered the power to staying true to myself and letting those who love me and my work cherish me. Also, taking criticism maturely and selecting all positive criticism has brought great growth to my personal life and business.
7. What are your plans in years to come as far as Posh is concerned? My team and I are busy on an expansion drive to open Posh outlets around developed and emerging markets and the pandemic (Covid-19) has slowed down our plans. However, we are surely looking forward to announce great expansion news during the beginning of 2021. The pandemic has also however strengthened our e-commerce department and we have managed to triple our online sales during the COVID-19 era, lessons which we looking at applying post the pandemic for the global growth of our fashion line.
24
