When I got divorced, I packed it all in and moved to Cape Town, but it wasn't just a change of scenery - it was a complete life reset.

I literally came with nothing but the essentials: our beds, fridge, washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, and a bench. I had to give up my home and everything else in it, and start from scratch.

The decision to leave everything behind was daunting. I felt like I was stepping into the unknown with nothing but the bare essentials and my children by my side. It was a humbling experience, but also incredibly liberating. It taught me the value of resilience and determination. With little to no support from my past life, I knew I had to rebuild from the ground up.

Those early days in Cape Town were challenging, filled with moments of doubt and fear about the future. But they were also filled with hope and possibility. I realized that with every challenge comes an opportunity for growth, and I was ready to take on whatever came my way.

Starting from scratch taught me the value of every single step on this journey, and how sometimes, shedding the weight of material possessions is the first step towards gaining true freedom and independence. It was in this period of struggle that I discovered my strength, my purpose, and my passion for empowering other women to find their own paths to success.

My move to Cape Town wasn't just a geographical shift; it was the beginning of a new chapter—one where I decided to write my own story and create a life filled with meaning, financial freedom, and empowerment for myself and others.

I had been through 10 years of abuse and needed to heal. Coming to Cape Town was a literal life-saver. The move represented a chance to break free from my past and create a new life for myself and my family.

However, I soon realized that my business model wouldn't work in Cape Town. The fashion sense and target market were completely different from what I was used to. When I moved here, I didn’t even own a pair of sneakers or a hoodie—honestly, I’m not sure I even knew what a hoodie was! I had to shed my Sandton skin (Curious? See the note below) and step into a whole new way of life.

I was really struggling financially and it dawned on me one day to sell the ludicrous amount of clothing, shoes and bags I had from my “old life”. My wardrobe was extensive, and I looked after my stuff really well. I was even guilty of having many new items that had never been worn. With no capital to start a new business, I decided to use the money from selling these items to help me. So I created my second “TATUM” baby - Tatum’s Wardrobe. I kept a very clean aesthetic and slowly but surely started posting the mountain of items I had on Instagram. The reaction was completely unexpected, each item I posted sold almost instantly with people begging me for more.

I knew I was onto something and I made really good money. It was an amazing soul-cleansing process, as I had now really shed the last bit of my previous life, that no longer served me, and it established a name for myself that people began to trust.

But eventually, my wardrobe ran out. And I was ready to be back in the game. So I started importing again. I found some beautiful brands from all over the world and brought in a select few items at a time.

I then travelled to New York and wandered accidentally into the Wholesale Jewellery area. I felt like a little girl at Christmas time! And because I was in New York in their Summer and our Winter I knew I’d be a Season ahead of the game, so I brought back as much as I could and launched my jewellery business online and in stores. I hit a big bubble where I was the first to bring in major trends that hadn’t yet been seen or launched in the country. But eventually the market caught on, and so I moved on. And carried on with the clothing.

I eventually started importing again from China. I thought from a cost perspective it made more sense. But a hard lesson one must learn is that cheaper is not better, and dealing with Chinese suppliers when you are not face-to-face with them is practically impossible. The quality can vary too extremely and their customer service is non-existent. Although it kept my business afloat, it caused more problems than anything else and supporting the unethical fast fashion business didn’t sit well with me.

Until one day, I was on holiday in Germany, meeting my new boyfriend’s (now my amazing husband) friends for the first time. And one of them asked me about what I do. And when I explained, I felt ashamed deep down, and almost embarrassed. And I knew in that moment I had to make a change.

I got home from the trip, and immediately packed away * six big boxes of goods I just imported. I would no longer be a slave to the fast fashion industry. When I told people what I did, I wanted to feel proud. I just had no idea, yet, what that would be.

* What My "Sandton Skin" Means

Growing up in Sandton, a prestigious area in Johannesburg, I had the privilege of a fortunate upbringing with a strong education. Sandton is known for its focus on wealth and appearances, where success often seems tied to material possessions. While this environment can offer many opportunities, it also brings pressures to "keep up with the Joneses" in an atmosphere that can be as toxic as it is glamorous. My experiences there have shaped who I am, helping me navigate both the benefits and challenges of such a setting, and ultimately inspiring me to find true value beyond appearances.

* Those six boxes were eventually donated to women in need and women's shelters.

Read Next: Where It All Started - Part 3

Much Love,

TATUM