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GLAMOUR Women In Charge: Meet Babygirl 24/7 Founder Daphney Phogole

Launching in September 2023, Babygirl 24/7 promises to redefine luxury in the beauty industry, setting new standards of sophistication, exclusivity, and impeccable service. Located in the heart of Cape Town, this exclusive destination is poised to become one of the most sought-after beauty havens in the city.

At Babygirl 24/7, clients will be treated to a range of high-quality beauty treatments encompassing nails, lashes, waxing, make-up, skin treatments, and hair styling. Each experience is carefully crafted to transport clients into a world of indulgence and refinement, where every visit becomes an unforgettable escape. This sounds like the perfect beauty escape and we can’t wait to experience Babygirl 24/7 once their doors open.

In the meantime, we chatted to the beauty and brains behind Babygirl 24/7 on what Women’s Month means to her.

GLAMOUR: What does Women's Month mean to you?

DP: For me, the meaning of Women's Month has evolved in many ways in conjunction with my growth over time. I look at it now as an opportunity to honour the millions of brave women who have come before myself and our present generation, the women who have pushed boundaries on the world stage and behind the scenes in our households; it's a time to admire and pay gratitude to the present and current day women, acknowledge how much progress we have made and how much longer the journey is, it's a time to revisit our objectives and refine them to match our ever-evolving needs. Lastly, Women's Month is also an opportunity for the young boys and girls of South Africa to cultivate acknowledgement of gender equity. Hopefully, that acknowledgement will later translate to actions that contribute to a more equal and peaceful society in the future.

GLAMOUR: Why is it important to celebrate the women of South Africa?

DP: As a nation, we have a complicated history. The onset of Women's Day came about as a tribute to the 20 000 + women who marched to the Union Buildings on 9 August 1956 in protest of extending Pass Laws to women. Four painful decades later, we had apartheid, and there was much hope for this new chapter for previously marginalised groups; fast forward to 2023, women in South Africa of all skin colour are still receiving some of the worst consequences of a broken society. Domestic violence, discrimination and harassment in the workplace, unequal pay, and access to opportunities and education are still significant and ongoing problems. These barriers, coupled with the historical disadvantages women have faced, can significantly impact the ambitions of the girl child in today's world. When all that we read about women in our communities is negative, it can have a stifling effect on our dreams; celebrating the women of South Africa sheds light on what is possible; I feel inspired and motivated when I see the success of the likes of Thuso Mbedu, Masali Baduza, Candice Swanepoel and Gugulethu Nyatsumba just to name a few. That's why I believe it is essential.

GLAMOUR: What inspires you to be successful?

DP: Love. Love is the most significant source of inspiration in my pursuit of excellence. I bring love to everything I do; my love and respect for people inspire me to give my best efforts to my work. From my personal experiences, I understand the sacrifices people make in their everyday lives to become the best version of themselves. I feel privileged to have the opportunity to own a business that is aligned with my passion for beauty and cosmetics, which keeps me motivated. When I do my best, I feel a soothing sense of accomplishment.

GLAMOUR: What is the most significant barrier to female success?

DP: The most significant barriers to female success in South Africa are closely linked and thus can't be singled out as one exclusive factor. From limited access to finance for turning our dreams into reality, gender bias and or discrimination, and lack of skills training or access to opportunities to foster those skills. Ultimately the most significant barrier is the lack of a fundamental support system that caters to our needs to facilitate growth. There is still room for improvement concerning empowerment.

GLAMOUR: Your biggest motivation?

DP: My biggest motivation is seeing how much my success impacts other people's lives and how much people are growing dependent on me by following my dreams and succeeding. Making it now is imperative because it's not just about you but also changing the lives of people around you and many others you don't get to see or talk to.

GLAMOUR: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?

DP: Firstly, it is essential to surround yourself with people who enrich and improve you. I cannot emphasise the importance of having positive role models to look up to, and spending time with friends, family and associates who make you better. Make time for people who prioritise your goals and reciprocate that. Always be hungry for knowledge, see curiosity as a strength and be yourself unapologetically; the pressure to conform is rife; your identity is your superpower.

GLAMOUR: Which women are on your radar and why?

DP: Aside from the ladies I mentioned earlier, I look up to Rabia Ghoor, founder of Switch Beauty. I draw a lot of parallels from her story, and I admire her bravery in setting out to do what she does at such a young age. I see much of what I am trying to achieve in her story. Being in the beauty and cosmetics industry, I see her as a worthy role model, even though she is young like me. I love how she has managed to cultivate a genuine community of clients, and that sometimes reminds me that as long as I keep my clients happy, I deliver my services with love. The sky is the limit.

GLAMOUR: My message for women in business?

DP: – build a strong support system around you; it's imperative for your emotional and mental health and the growth of your business.

GLAMOUR: The best advice I received to date?

DP: It's wild, but I'm my most prominent advisor. I believe I'm good at filtering all the information consumed daily and coming up with a way to apply it in my daily life; my best advice is instead put effort into your goals and dreams, creating the life you want than spending the rest of your life wishing you could have, either way, you're making a choice.

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