Wilmie's work life revolves around her love for networking, collaborating, and following the latest trends. At home, she loves spending quality time with friends and family. As Women’s Month draws to a close, we chat to Wilmie on how important it is to celebrate Women in South Africa.
GLAMOUR: What does Women’s Month mean to you?
WILMIE VISSER: For me, Women's Month is a time to spotlight the remarkable achievements, creativity, and resilience of women. It's a month where we recognize the strides we have made in shaping trends, breaking barriers, and redefining beauty standards. But also, if you look into the reasons why we celebrate Women’s Month, it’s not just about celebrating the remarkable achievements of women but showing how ordinary women can make exceptional contributions to change when they stand together.
GLAMOUR: Why is it important to celebrate the women of South Africa and why do you feel we need a special month to honour women?
WV: Celebrating women in the beauty industry is vital because we have been at the forefront of innovation and inspiration. From makeup artists and hairstylists who experiment with new looks to entrepreneurs who create groundbreaking products, women have transformed how we perceive beauty. A dedicated month allows us to not only acknowledge these contributions but also celebrate them.
GLAMOUR: Who is the most influential woman you know?
WV: SKOON CEO Thandi Mbulaheni stands out as a true trailblazer. Her revolutionary approach to skincare has reshaped the industry. Uleen Fourie owner of Health-e App a Nutritional guidebook helping thousands of women live a healthy motivated lifestyle. Nadia Jaftha, an influencer turned CEO at Ace Labs, her business is making waves from SA to Dubai. Another one of my favourites is Andriana Cronje owner of Burnt Activewear, this brand has taken South Africa by storm and is on the verge of going global!
These women are truly inspirational to me. Not only do I love and support their businesses, but I also truly value what they stand for and how hard they work to achieve their goals.
GLAMOUR: What are some of the biggest challenges that women face today?
WV: On top of the demands of being a “modern woman” - where you are balancing running a business, caring for children, and developing yourself - women live in constant fear… In South Africa, many women feel unsafe in our country.
We face continual threats to our physical and emotional well-being, making it difficult for us to live freely and without fear. We are forced to limit our mobility and we must alter our daily lives for our own safety, which restricts our full participation in society.
It is crucial to address these issues and ensure the safety and empowerment of all women in our country, to allow us the space to flourish in other aspects of our lives.
GLAMOUR: Which achievement made by feminists are you most thankful for? Why?
WV: It’s difficult to pinpoint a precise achievement or moment, as empowering women has been a long process (and certainly one that is still ongoing). Although it is still an ongoing fight, I am thankful for the thousands of South African women who stepped up and advocated for their sisters in the 2018 Total Shutdown Movement, which led to the implementation of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide National Strategic Plan. It’s vital for women to advocate for change and to empower one another. A brilliant example of this is the Unbreakable Campaign, by Demi Tebow.
The Unbreakable campaign by Demi Tebow is a confidence-building conference that educates, empowers, and equips women to overcome challenges, break barriers and realise their full potential. Through hands-on workshops and advice from experts in areas like psychology, self-defence ,and more.
The Unbreakable movement strives to foster women’s personal growth and resilience so we will be ready to face whatever challenges might come our way.
GLAMOUR: What are some important contributions women have made to our world that are important to you?
WV: Not only do businesses owned by women contribute greatly to the economy, but they also create community. Numerous women across the country are salon owners, creating spaces that cater to the diverse beauty needs of all women.
Their salons have become safe havens, where women gather to share stories, seek advice, and uplift each other, creating a strong sense of empowerment. These women have skilfully transformed their salons into more than just places for hair care; they have created sanctuaries where women can embrace their unique beauty and celebrate their strength while having gorgeous hair thanks to Mycro Keratin and Moyoko Professional.
GLAMOUR: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self about achieving your goals?
WV: I'd tell my 18-year-old self to always be confident: Show up early, take pride in your personal appearance, don't be afraid to ask questions, and most importantly, surround yourself with positive uplifting people.
GLAMOUR: What’s your message to women in business?
WV: To all the aspiring women in our industry: Embrace challenges as opportunities to learn, build a supportive network, and always stay true to your creative voice.
GLAMOUR: How are you celebrating Women’s Month?
WV: I am currently navigating the new world of motherhood. But over at Moyoko Professional and Mycro Keratin, we are proudly donating 10% of all online profits to a Women's Charity for the Month of August. We have also participated in the Converse and Fenty Women's Day activation held earlier this month: A fun-filled day with different workshops, motivational speakers and of course Hair and Makeup.
GLAMOUR: Your favorite beauty moment?
WV: The anticipation and enthusiasm surrounding our product launches are my favorite moments. The team's collective input and diverse backgrounds contribute to the creation of our products which address the real needs of women’s haircare. From the initial concept to the final design, these products were developed by the remarkable women at Mycro Keratin and Moyoko Professional, who poured their expertise, creativity, and passion into every aspect of the product's development.
