For Women’s Month we are profiling inspiring women who are making a difference in Africa. In keeping with the theme of #makeithappen we’re bringing you one woman a day for the entire month –innovators, creatives, entrepreneurs and influencers.
Today, we meet music entrepreneur Dominique Some from Johannesburg.
Tell us about your first job.
I got my first job when I was 16 working at a perfume counter at a retail store that my mom hooked me up with. I remember feeling such a sense of liberation having my own money and being able to spend it all on myself.
What was the journey for you in becoming a creative entrepreneur?
Currently Weheartbeat is my main focus. We are about to launch a record store at 27Boxes in Melville and that’s been taking up most of my time. Stepping into retail is a whole new ball game for me and I’m quite excited about the challenges that lie ahead. We plan on centralising a lot of our events to the store, creating some sort of home for urban music in South Africa. I’ve spent most of my life in Jozi which has played a huge part in shaping my knowledge and understanding of hip hop and South Africa’s musical landscape as a whole. One of my biggest inspirations came from the Black August Tour that happened back in 2001, where my passion for curating live musical events began. I’ve learnt many things in the past from different experiences that have directly contributed to my current role and where I’m at right now.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Coffee first everything else after.
What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career?
Exercising new behaviour patterns, discipline and self-belief. I’ve spent most of my career going against the grain and not conforming to what society regards as normal which often had me questioning my own self-worth and purpose, whether what I do really adds value in the bigger scheme of things. I’ve come to realise that we can become our own worst enemy if we allow our thoughts to get the better of us, so I have to constantly remind myself to think more positively. Everyday comes with its own challenges but it’s really about the energy that you put out into the world that determines your reality. Once you unlock the door to your true potential the possibilities become endless.
What has been the best moment in your career?
I’ve had many great moments throughout my career but one that captures my immediate attention is the Weheartbeat Young Fathers ConnectZA Tour that happened earlier this year. Watching the guys perform live on stage was a surreal and proud moment for me that struck quite an emotional cord inside. I remember crying and thinking that all the stress that comes with organising an international tour is well worth it at the end of the day when you get to see such magic come alive on stage.
How do you measure personal success and how do you stay motivated?
My number one source of motivation are my children and partner. They keep me grounded daily and constantly remind me of gratitude and knowing what’s most important in life. It’s easy to get caught up in hype and all the material aspects of the world we live in, we tend to measure our personal success on how rich we are, what car we drive, where we live and so on, but it’s important to never compare your growth or success to anyone else. We are all running our own race at our own pace and the only person you can compete with is yourself.
What advice would you give women trying to start their own business who aren’t sure how to begin?
Be brave enough to step out into the big bad world and pursue your vision unapologetically. No one is going to do anything for you before you help yourself first so don’t expect the road ahead to be easy. There is no wrong or right approach and like anything else business has certain aspects to it where passion is everything and when you find a real love for what you do the rest flows easily from there.
Being female in South Africa means…
…being able to identify that anything is possible if you really want it. There are so many opportunities right now and the world seems to be looking to Africa for inspiration in many things – art, music, dance, fashion and so forth. Our time is now!
The theme for women’s month is #MakeItHappen, what does that mean to you?
It so happens that the launch of our record store coincides with Women’s Month this year and making this particular dream happen for me has been one of the hardest and most challenging periods of my life. When you are making something happen that is close to your heart you will stop at nothing but perfection to get there and this can either make you or break you depending on how you make it happen.
Follow Dominique:
Twitter: @Weheartbeat
Instagram: @Weheartbeat
The post #MAKEITHAPPEN: DOMINIQUE SOMA appeared first on Elle South Africa.