We love featuring Black Female Business Owners so meet Mary Blessing Ramodisa. Lingerie and Plus sizes are her callings. Here’s what she had to say about Hugs&Intimates.

What do you do?

I am the Managing Owner at Hugs&Intimates. We offer a variety of undergarments to curvy women and women who struggle to get sizes, e.g., bigger bra cup sizes.

We believe in body positivity. That every woman should have a bounce in their step in their everyday lives, irrespective of the size.

We consult with women on suitable products to achieve an everyday smooth silhouette in their unique shapes.

What made you leap forward to make the first step to becoming an entrepreneur?

As a big girl, I have always struggled to get clothing sizes and underwear that looked great. In most cases, I would get a mismatch of underwear, and it saddened me. No matter how much money I could afford to spend it was never a readily available service for retailers to assist. After speaking to a few friends, I noticed I wasn’t alone. I then saw that gap in the market.

How did you know this what you wanted to do for sure?

I just knew I needed to help myself and others with the same problem. I wanted to make a difference, and this was a perfect way for me.

So after getting set up, what were the setbacks and what did you do to improve?

Starting a business is a learning curve. Setbacks include deals that do not work out, but I believe that one has to look for better opportunities and negotiate better going forward.

Do you have any other work, or new projects – etc.? Tell us about them and what inspired them?

I aspire to manufacture my undergarments myself. A proudly South African product. This will assist my customers who still struggle even with my specialized service to source their sizes for them. Women beyond a DD cup size struggle and if I eventually get to have a manufacturing factory, I will be able to close that gap.

Tell us how you persevere in such a competitive industry.

Hope, courage, and faith. Almost synonyms but needed interchangeably for different circumstances.

My customers and their stories drive me. The fact that I want women not to think something is wrong with them. Breasts are just part of our physiology. They are natural and can get in the way our everyday business if not taken care of.

That makes me persevere.

What is your advice to people having a fear of launching their businesses?

You will never know until you try. You owe it to yourself to try.

Where and how can people find you?

Facebook, Twitter, etc…

Email: moukanmm@gmail.com

WhatsApp: 0764579816

FB page: Hugs&Intimates