Mathebe Molise’s story is a powerful example of following your passion and taking calculated risks to create something meaningful. What started as a successful career in accounting evolved into her becoming one of South Africa’s leading beauty entrepreneurs, balancing two flourishing businesses: Beauty on TApp and Pastry Skincare. Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of perseverance, discipline, and passion, and it serves as an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs everywhere.

Mathebe’s transition from accounting to entrepreneurship wasn’t a sudden leap but a carefully planned and thought-out decision. Initially, she pursued her accounting career, working as an Executive Assistant to the CEO of a major bank. However, towards the end of 2021, Mathebe realised her passion was no longer aligned with the banking industry.

“I wasn’t really passionate about banking anymore, given my passion for Beauty on TApp and Pastry,” she explains. After weighing her options and ensuring she would remain financially stable, she made the bold decision to resign and run her business full-time. That decision marked the beginning of an exhilarating journey, one filled with learning and growth.

While the world of beauty and skincare might seem like a far cry from accounting, Mathebe attributes much of her success to the skills she gained during her time as a Chartered Accountant. “Little things like building processes and controls to avoid errors, ensuring the business runs smoothly, and cash management make a huge difference in a business’s success,” she says.

This structured approach, coupled with the discipline and hard work she cultivated through years of long hours and tight deadlines, set the foundation for building efficient and profitable businesses.

Beauty on TApp first emerged in 2015 as a service-finding app, helping users locate beauty services across South Africa. However, like many start-ups, Mathebe and her team soon realised that monetizing an app was more challenging than anticipated. A shift was needed. After receiving valuable feedback from users, they saw an opportunity to transform the platform into an e-commerce store. In 2016, Beauty on Tapp [shopbeautyontapp.co.za] was born, evolving into a full-fledged marketplace where customers could shop local and niche beauty brands.

Today, Beauty on TApp boasts over 1,000 products, offering a mix of small independent brands and larger, more well-known names. For Mathebe, it was essential not only to stock big brands but also to give smaller businesses the visibility they deserve. “We focus on educating consumers, teaching them about ingredients and how to use products. This has helped us build a community that trusts us,” she says.

The e-commerce platform has become a launchpad for South African beauty brands, helping smaller players break into a competitive market. By stocking a mix of local, niche brands alongside bigger names, Beauty on TApp provides exposure and opportunities for these brands to shine. “When we market a product from a small brand, our community trusts it’s a good product, and that trust translates into sales,” Mathebe explains.

In 2019, Mathebe took her entrepreneurial journey one step further by launching her own skincare line, Pastry Skincare. The idea behind the brand came from a recurring question: Why were people using small serums designed for the face on their bodies to address blemishes? Inspired by this need, she developed a body care range with active ingredients. 

The brand’s first product, the Niacinamide Body Butter, was an instant success, setting the stage for what has since grown into a comprehensive line of body care products. But beyond the science, Pastry is a brand deeply rooted in Mathebe’s personal philosophy on beauty and skincare. “Pastry is about making you feel delicious in your own skin. It’s a celebration of natural beauty and bringing out your natural glow.”

The name Pastry reflects Mathebe’s love for baking and the artistry involved in combining simple ingredients to create something extraordinary. “When you bake, you mix ingredients to create something delicious. Similarly, Pastry  is about using the right ingredients to help you feel amazing in your skin,” she shares.

Her vision for Pastry Skincare is clear: it’s not just about skincare products but about embracing one’s natural beauty, promoting self-confidence, and offering quality products that work for every skin type.

While e-commerce continues to be a driving force behind Beauty on TApp’s success, the company recently expanded into brick-and-mortar retail. For Mathebe, opening physical stores was a dream come true. “I never thought we’d venture into brick and mortar, so seeing it succeed has been amazing,” she says. The stores offer customers a high-touch shopping experience, something online platforms may not fully replicate.

Her vision for the future includes further expanding this model, creating a seamless blend of online and in-store shopping experiences.

Running two successful businesses is no small feat, but Mathebe has learned some valuable lessons along the way. One of the most critical? Taking calculated risks. “I wish I had opened our first store sooner, but I’ve learned to back myself. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t, and I’m okay with that,” she says.

Another lesson – timing is everything. Mathebe stresses the importance of not leaving a corporate job too early. “If your business doesn’t need you full-time yet, don’t leave your job. I only left when I couldn’t manage both,” she advises. Having a stable income from her accounting job allowed her to fund the business’s growth without putting unnecessary financial strain on it.

To those thinking of leaving their corporate careers to start their own businesses, Mathebe offers words of wisdom. “Take your time, and don’t rush into entrepreneurship unless it’s absolutely necessary. Your salary can help fund the growth of your business. When you start relying on your business for income too early, you’re robbing it of future success.”

Looking to the future, Mathebe has big plans for both of her businesses. For Beauty on TApp, expansion is the next step. “We want to open more stores and grow our product offering, hopefully reaching 2,000 different products in the near future,” she reveals.

For Pastry Skincare, international expansion is on the horizon. “I’d love to see Pastry sold in stores in the USA and UK. When the time is right, we’ll get there,” she says with excitement.

Mathebe Molise’s journey from banking to beauty is nothing short of inspiring. Balancing two businesses, empowering small beauty brands, and expanding into new markets, she has not only reshaped her own career but has also played a role in transforming the South African beauty industry. Her unwavering commitment to excellence, paired with a thoughtful approach to business and a deep passion for empowering others, makes her a trailblazer in the world of beauty and entrepreneurship.

As she continues to scale new heights with Beauty on TApp and Pastry Skincare, Mathebe’s journey serves as a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs, reminding them that with passion, discipline, and the courage to take risks, anything is possible.