In a country where women continue to break barriers across industries,
entrepreneurship has become more than a career path, it has become a
powerful act of self-determination.
South African women are increasingly building businesses that solve
real problems while reflecting the realities of modern life. They are
creating brands rooted in purpose, authenticity and innovation, often
turning personal challenges into products and services that resonate far
beyond their own experiences. Among this new generation of founders
is Cape Town creative and entrepreneur Zakiyya Karim, whose newly
launched brand, Out of Office, embodies a broader movement of women
redefining success on their own terms.
At first glance, Out of Office is a premium locally made duffle bag
designed to move seamlessly between work, fitness, travel and
everyday life. But beneath its sleek design lies a story that many South
African women will recognise: the challenge of balancing multiple roles
while refusing to compromise on ambition, wellbeing or personal identity.
Karim’s journey began with a simple frustration. Existing bags served
one purpose well but failed to accommodate the realities of a busy,
multifaceted lifestyle. Instead of accepting the gap in the market, she
chose to create a solution. The result is a versatile carry-all that reflects
the demands of modern living while championing local manufacturing.
Her story mirrors a wider trend across South Africa, where women are
increasingly identifying opportunities where others see limitations.
Whether in fashion, technology, wellness, agriculture or the creative
industries, female entrepreneurs are building businesses that are both
commercially viable and socially meaningful.
According to recent entrepreneurship research, women-owned
businesses continue to play a critical role in job creation, economic
participation and community development throughout South Africa. Yet
the journey is rarely straightforward. Access to funding, market visibility
and industry networks remain ongoing challenges for many women founders.
From the outset, Refinery’s approach to women was refreshingly considered.
Rather than presenting an ideal to aspire to, the brand chose to reflect reality.
Women were not framed as trends to be chased or perfected images to be
replicated, they were seen, heard, and understood. This philosophy influenced
everything from garment design to storytelling, creating pieces that moved with
women through their everyday lives.
Megan’s influence ensured that the brand’s creative direction never lost sight of
this balance. Under her guidance, campaigns evolved into more than visual
showcases, they became narratives of modern womanhood. There was an
intentional shift away from complexity toward clarity, clean silhouettes, natural
fabrics, and styling that felt accessible yet elevated. The message was simple,
confidence does not need embellishment.
What sets many of these entrepreneurs apart is their determination to
build despite uncertainty. They are not simply launching products; they
are creating platforms for representation, empowerment and change.
For Karim, Out of Office became more than a product. It evolved into a
philosophy centered on self-belief and intentional living.
“Out of Office represents the courage to keep going, even when things
feel uncertain. It’s about backing yourself, pursuing your goals and
creating the life you want, not just the life that looks productive on
paper.”
That message resonates deeply in a society where women are often
expected to excel professionally while simultaneously managing
personal responsibilities and maintaining social connections. The
pressure to do it all can be overwhelming. Increasingly, women are
rejecting outdated definitions of success and choosing to build lives and
businesses that reflect their own values.
The rise of women-led brands like Out of Office also highlights the
growing importance of supporting local entrepreneurship. Every locally
designed and manufactured product contributes to a broader ecosystem
of skills development, job creation and economic growth. When
consumers support female-owned businesses, they are investing in
more than a product; they are helping to create opportunities for future
generations of women entrepreneurs.
Today, South African women are not waiting for permission to innovate.
They are identifying gaps, challenging conventions and building
businesses that reflect the realities of modern life. Their ventures are
proof that empowerment is not always found in grand gestures.
Sometimes it begins with a simple idea, the courage to act on it, and the
determination to keep moving forward.
In many ways, the story of Out of Office is not just about a bag. It is
about freedom the freedom to move, to create, to dream bigger and to
define success independently. It is a reminder that the future of South
African entrepreneurship is increasingly female, purpose-driven and
unapologetically ambitious.
And as more women continue to build brands that serve both function
and meaning, they are carrying far more than products into the market.
They are carrying a vision of what is possible.
By: Mpumi Brown