Jacque Mgido Opens Up About Hollywood, Failure, Entrepreneurship & Coming Home | With Nyasha Michelle

One of Africa's most influential makeup artists joins With Nyasha Michelle.

Jacque Mgido built an international career in Hollywood before returning to Zimbabwe with a vision to create opportunities for others. In this inspiring conversation, she opens up about entrepreneurship, overcoming failure, breaking into Hollywood, and why she believes representation and integrity can change lives.

In this conversation, Jacque Mgido discusses:
 ✨ Building an international career in Hollywood
 💄 The business launch that almost made her quit
 🎬 The mistake she thought would end her Hollywood career
 ❤️ Why integrity became the foundation of her success
 👑 Building opportunities for the "underdogs" and empowering African women
 🇿🇼 Why Zimbabwe's laughter, culture and community should never be lost

This is a story about resilience, purpose and having the courage to build something bigger than yourself.

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and all major streaming platforms.

📲 Follow With Nyasha Michelle for more conversations celebrating African stories, culture and creativity.

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#WithNyashaMichelle #JacqueMgido #Zimbabwe #ZimbabwePodcast #AfricanExcellence #WomenInBusiness #Hollywood #Entrepreneurship #BeautyIndustry #AfricanCreators #ItsGivingZimbabwe

Transcript

SPEAKER_03 0:00

I was so scared to open up a company in Zimbabwe, and I was also really scared to fail. I'm here and do this big thing, you've come from Hollywood, everybody's looking at you. And I launched a bottle book. Worst mistake of my life.

SPEAKER_07 0:14

What stopped you from completely giving up when you do somebody's makeup again?

SPEAKER_04 0:28

I hope that was difficult. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 0:56

As we are filming here for this special season, where everything we filmed is in the motherland. Thank you so much to those of you who have been following, who've been liking, commenting, interacting. Y'all the real MVPs. Don't forget, you can follow at with Nyasha Michelle on all platforms. And also you can follow me at Nyasha Michelle underscore. Now I said trailblazers are the ones I've been speaking to, right? The lady who is next to me is, you know, she's gone beyond international borders, right? And it's not just what she does, but also who she's been for the community, in particular, the Zimbabwean community. And of course, you also know how to beat a face real good. It is Jackie Mugido. Hello. How are you?

SPEAKER_03 1:47

I am fantastic, always.

SPEAKER_07 1:49

You look fantastic. And I like how you added always.

SPEAKER_02 1:54

Always. Listen, we're live, we're kicking.

SPEAKER_07 1:57

Yeah. Yeah, because you know something I said to you earlier. Your the energy, I was watching you because I do my research, right? So I know the people that I'm gonna be interviewing. And then when it when we I've got the yeses, when I say, hey, come on the podcast. And then um I know you're gonna be coming. I go back again, right? And I'm like looking at things, you know. Okay, I do my research. And you actually were the last person's Instagram was on last night. And I dreamt about you, Jenny Kitty. I love it. That's how inflicted with Jenny King. I love it. I dreamt about you, I don't remember what it was about, but I just remember it had to do with your joy. Because something I was thinking about when I was going through your social media is just how you seem so joyful. Absolutely. Very, very joyful. Yes. And I'm going to tap into where that stems from in a minute. But I have to ask you first the question I ask everybody when they come and talk to me on this podcast, which is what is one defining moment that set you on the path that you are on today?

SPEAKER_03 3:02

Ooh, one is there always one.

SPEAKER_07 3:05

I know there's always more, but I wanted to make it a little bit, you know, challenging. So I'll tell you.

SPEAKER_04 3:09

We'll be right back.

SPEAKER_07 3:12

If you're part of the Zimbabwean community or send money anywhere in Africa, this one's for you. Today's episode is sponsored by TapTap Send, a fast, secure, and convenient way to send money to family and friends back home. No stress, no hidden fees, just your money getting where it needs to go. And here's the best part. If you're a new user, you get £20 free on your first transfer using my code MUNYASHA. If you've been needing to find a better way to send money, now's the perfect time. Download TapTapSend. Don't forget to use my code MUNYASHA and claim your free £20 bonus. The link is in the show notes. Now back to the show.

SPEAKER_05 3:51

Now. Back to the show.

SPEAKER_03 3:54

I mean, there's so many, but I'll I'll go back. My biggest defining moment when I was watching my mom put on makeup, and I wanted to have a pointy nose and I wanted to be really light. Wow. And I was with my girlfriend, and we were nine years old. And we took pegs and put the pegs on our noses, and then we put baby powder all over our faces, right? And my mom came home and she just looked and said, What is happening? Right. Because my mom wasn't a belly, right? So she was lighter, right? And all of a sudden, she sat us down and she said, The reason why you have the features that you have is because God made everything purposeful. Your nose is wide because you are in Africa and you need to breathe. The reason why people uh white people's noses are pointy is because they live in really cold climates. And can you imagine having wide nostrils and you're in a cold climate? I mean, you were like having snotty, snotty every single time, right? I love that. And then she's like, and the reason why you have the body that you have, your butt is because you're storing. You're storing. We are storers. So for me, everything that moment changed everything for me. And when I'm teaching people, I go back to that. I go back to why their skin is the way they are and why they shouldn't change it because everything has a reason and a purpose.

SPEAKER_07 5:24

Wow. And it reminds me of a video I saw of you where you were talking about your nose. Yes. And you said, like, you know, how you love it, and people also comment on it. Yes. Yeah, tell me about that.

SPEAKER_03 5:35

So I never liked my nose. I wanted a pointy nose. I've always wanted a pointy nose. And then a friend of mine said to me, I like your nose. Your nose is beautiful. And I was like, You like my nose? And he goes, Yes, it's a button nose, it's cute. And I was like, you know what? I kind of like my nose. Because for a long time I was like, you know, I'm gonna save up and then I'm gonna go ahead and have a nose job. I mean, I am in Hollywood, everybody's kind of changing something about themselves, right? And for me, that was my first thing that I was going to. And then I remember my sister saying, I just want to let you know, no one will recognize you. And then she said, and then another thing, they won't recognize you, and then she goes, but then look at all the young women that follow you. What are you saying? And I was like, Well, I'm saying that I'm changing my nose, but yeah.

SPEAKER_07 6:21

Yeah, let's like, no, that's gonna keep it. This is the nose.

SPEAKER_02 6:23

This is the nose that I have.

SPEAKER_07 6:24

Yeah. Ah, no, we love it. Keep it because you know me, I'm based in the UK, yeah? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, no shade to the girls, but let me just speak the truth. In the UK, there are a lot of black girls who are changing their nose.

SPEAKER_03 6:36

Oh, I mean, that's America.

SPEAKER_07 6:37

Yeah, and and everyone just looks the same.

SPEAKER_03 6:39

Everybody looks the same. Everyone looks the same. Yeah, that nose, everybody's changing their nose, but they don't understand that it can also collapse.

SPEAKER_07 6:46

It can collapse.

SPEAKER_03 6:46

Yeah, yeah. Anytime you get a nose job, you get addicted to the nose and then it collapses inside.

SPEAKER_07 6:52

Oh my.

SPEAKER_03 6:52

And then you have to have surgery for that.

SPEAKER_07 6:55

Okay. Yeah. Keep the features that God gave you. Just keep them. Okay. I love what your mom said. You know, I never would have thought, especially because she was talking to nine-year-olds, you know, like yeah, you have to breathe in Africa.

SPEAKER_03 7:06

You have to breathe, and your skin is dark because it's protecting you. You know, the sun, that melanin, you know, it's protecting you, that golden.

SPEAKER_07 7:15

I love that. Yeah. And because it also allows me to go to where I like to go to first. Tell me about your childhood and even um your mother being Dabele, was there an influence as well in how you grew up?

SPEAKER_03 7:27

So I grew up a very interesting life. So my father had an affair, and um my mom wasn't married to my dad. And my dad was married to my stepmother. I call her my stepmother, and I let everybody know because a lot of stepparent mothers get really bad, you know, bad rep. And this stepmother was really great. And I say my stepmother, but she's really my real mother. My real mother didn't want me. And I came into the family when I was six years old, and she has been such a and was a great influence because she's past. You know, she's she's the rock star, you know. So I grew up with her, and I grew up a very insecure kid. You know, a lot of times when you're a stepkid, you're questioning, you want your parents, and you know, you've got a lot of things going on, and you're a vulnerable kid, and and everything around you is very vulnerable. But then at the same time, now that I think about it, everything that everybody thinks is kind of crazy kind of worked for me. I my joy came from finding joy within the areas that I was in, and my imagination went a long way. You know, people till now think I'm a little nutty. I think I'm a little nutty, but it's okay. The nuttiness. I mean, I'm just like, all I want to do is laugh, right? And animals to me were a big deal. I talked my dogs a lot. I talked to the chickens that we had, I talked to myself a lot. I mean, I was constantly acting, right? And I always had an imaginary friend. And anytime anything bad was happening in the house, because my dad had a really horrible temper, guess what I would do? I would um imitate him, make everybody laugh in the house, and then just laugh.

SPEAKER_06 9:12

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 9:13

So that's what I do even now. Like I'll call my friends. I have my girlfriend, Lena, and every single time I call her, everything ends up as a laughter. She's always like, Jackie.

SPEAKER_02 9:23

Can you be serious? We could be in the worst situation. I'm like, well, you're now.

SPEAKER_07 9:28

How wow. It that fascinates me because I did say to you that's one of the things I want to find out. Like, what is your source of joy?

SPEAKER_03 9:36

Yeah, yeah. I mean, honestly, it's just finding it. I mean, I I'm an anxiety-driven person. Really? Right? Paranoid. Paranoid. I'm very paranoid.

SPEAKER_07 9:45

See, we wouldn't have even thought of that. Literally.

SPEAKER_03 9:48

Super paranoid. I mean, if I wake up in the morning, it is an effort to say, okay, today's a good day, you know? And then when I start feeling sorry for myself or get anxiety and start getting into my thought, because it's really in here, right?

SPEAKER_00 10:00

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 10:00

And then and I start feeling like I'm going into this kind of depression and get this anxiety. Then I think to myself, okay, I got my legs, I got my arms. And then I start, you know, then I put my music on in the morning, then I start dancing, I start imagining, and then I, before you know it, I'm in the car and I put the music. I'm like, what? What? What are we doing? And I just start dancing. I mean, that's it. I have my own nightclub in the morning, 6 a.m., 5 a.m., 4 30 a.m.

SPEAKER_07 10:24

You vibing.

SPEAKER_03 10:25

I'm vibing, you know. I'm working out, it helps me. When I'm working out, listen, when I'm working out, I imagine myself. I'm like freaking Jackie. The baddest.

SPEAKER_07 10:36

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah. The mental health and being able to take yourself from a space that really isn't feeding you. That's not an easy thing to do. But it's a very, very important thing for us, especially in this world that we're in where everyone is really just bogged down of something, you know. Um, is there anything outside of music that really just gets you like, all right, cool. You know what? This gives me joy. And person?

SPEAKER_03 11:02

Gratitude, man. You know, just being grateful. You know, like I'll wake up in the morning, I'm like, oh man, I can move my fingers. This is freaking awesome. You know, I can move my legs. This is great. You know? And just having people that I love, my family, my husband, my my daughter, and my friends, you know, just knowing that everybody's existing at this moment in time because every second counts. Yeah. So for me, I'm about the moment. Every second counts for me. Because anything can change, right? So then just feeling like, whoa, we've gone through the two hours, three hours. Oh, we've gone through the four hours. I'm a time person. I'm always thinking time, time, time. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 11:41

Wow. It may sound very simple, but that's such a very key thing to do.

SPEAKER_03 11:45

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. I'm always time. I mean, time kind of takes over for me. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 11:49

And and also you being in Hollywood, I think is very, very, I can imagine it's very important to have what something that grounds you because I can't even imagine what that world is like.

SPEAKER_03 11:58

Oh, it's Lala Land. That's why they call Hollywood La La. We are in La La Land.

SPEAKER_07 12:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 12:04

Everything is just beyond imagination, you know?

SPEAKER_07 12:09

Now, before we tap into what it really is like being there and how you got there, I want us to kind of go back a little bit. Of course, you told me about your childhood. How then did we get to the point where Jackie's in America and then Jackie's doing makeup and oh yeah, she's doing celebrities' makeup. She's in Hollywood. How did all of that transpire?

SPEAKER_03 12:28

So, um, you know how it is. You have a sister that goes overseas, and then the whole family works together for you to go overseas to get opportunities. So I was a kid that was an artist. I wasn't really into, you know, math and anything else out there. So your parents are constantly looking for something for you to do because they don't want you to end up getting married to some guy or whatever it is and being this person. And um, my sister was in St. Louis, and um, and you know, they were like, okay, what is she gonna do? What do you like? I was like, I like animals, so I'm gonna be a vet. Zero intention of being a vet, people. I just wanted to go to America.

SPEAKER_06 13:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 13:04

So we get to America and um we apply for school and community college, and I'm sitting in there and I'm twiddling my thumb and I'm thinking, I don't even, I don't even know why I'm here.

SPEAKER_02 13:17

I don't want to be a vet. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 13:19

I hate reading. You know, I'm not gonna be reading all this stuff. I'm an artist, I want to draw, I want imagination, you know what I mean? So um we quickly, my sister quickly realized it, and that's the great thing about America, right? So she was like, What do you want to do? And I was like, I don't know, hair. And then I, you know, went to cosmetology school. I got married really early. My husband and I loped. You know, I know.

SPEAKER_07 13:41

How old were you?

SPEAKER_03 13:42

I was uh turning 20.

SPEAKER_07 13:45

Whoa, Jackie.

SPEAKER_03 13:48

Don't do it.

SPEAKER_07 13:51

I mean, I mean, no judgment.

SPEAKER_03 13:54

I mean, I've been married for over 30 years.

SPEAKER_07 13:56

So it's it's like it's yeah, it worked for her. It worked for her.

SPEAKER_03 14:00

It doesn't necessarily have to work for you. Okay, yeah. He's he's a he's a calm, cool, collected guy, understanding, really awesome. Yeah, very rare. Okay. So, you know, don't do what I do. So, yeah, so I got I got I got married, and you know, he's super supportive, and there weren't any makeup schools in St. Louis, Philadelphia. And so I went to cosmetology school, and there's a difference, right? Because everybody always thinks it's the same thing. Yeah. Um, cosmetology school, they're covering skincare hair, yeah, right. And they probably do maybe like one lesson in makeup. And um, so I'm there and I hated every minute of it. But then I got into it, right? Okay. But I hated it. I I still don't like doing hair, but I actually do hair. And a lot of people don't know I do hair because I don't want to ask them. I don't want them asking me.

SPEAKER_07 14:46

I was about to say, next time check my hair when y'all see my hair looking flat. No, you do everything because of her.

SPEAKER_03 14:52

I do, because normally in Hollywood, you know, sometimes I have to do both. You do, yeah. I had department of stuff, so I'll do hair and makeup. But I try not to say it out loud because I know somebody's gonna be like, Can you do my lace front? I'm like, no.

SPEAKER_00 15:05

No.

SPEAKER_03 15:07

So yeah, so I was there and my husband was like, What do you really want to do? And I was like, because I had uh I was working in a department store doing nails. And when when when I was forced to do a pedicure, I was like, this ain't it. Yeah, this ain't it. I don't want to do this, right? And then I went to work um for Clarence Cosmetics and I was working for like a makeup line. It was okay. I mean, I liked selling, but I didn't really like selling. But I knew what I wanted. I watched Oprah and I watched her transformation because she was she was like one of the first people who did like makeovers. And she took off all her makeup and then she was transformed, right? And I was like, Yeah, that's it. Yeah, I want to do that. And then we started looking at makeup schools, but there was nothing. And then my husband was like, you know what, we're gonna take a loan and we're gonna go to Hollywood and we're gonna look for the makeup school. And I went to one of the first makeup schools called MUD in um Hollywood, and they were right in the studio area, which is Burbank. Everything is shot there. And um I started going to school there. It's very expensive. I mean, that school is ridiculous, even till now. Just like you know, just for you to just do beauty, you know, it's like almost $15,000.

SPEAKER_06 16:14

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 16:14

So you can imagine doing a whole master's program because I did special effects. And one of the biggest things that was an advantage for me there was as I was doing um school there, I couldn't really afford it. And I was very much a teacher's pet. And um the head of school loved me. We took out a loan and I could pay it, you know, like uh over like the year that I was there. And yeah, and then people started recommending me for different gigs. I did a lot of free gigs, and then before you know it, you know, I did my first uh guy, Alanda Jones. He was my first celebrity that I did.

SPEAKER_07 16:52

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 16:52

Yeah, it was pretty cool.

SPEAKER_07 16:54

And how did it feel when you like you had a star in your chair?

SPEAKER_03 16:57

Out of body experience.

SPEAKER_07 16:59

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 16:59

I mean, I hope we can find that picture. In fact, I do have that picture. Send it. Yeah, I'm gonna send the picture. I remember I had this I had this hair, it was twisted, it was short, and you literally somebody took that picture, and I couldn't believe it because I kept on going, man, God is great. I'm here. Come believe it. I'm touching, and he was popular at that time. He had was doing this commercial, um, and everybody knew who he was. Yeah, and it was like massive because every single time you'd see him on billboards and you'd be like, Oh my god, Holanda Jones, Alanda Jones, Holda Jones, and I was like, I touched him.

SPEAKER_01 17:31

So it was pretty cool. Oh wow. It was pretty cool.

SPEAKER_07 17:33

So did you uh once all of once you got to that stage, you were like, This is what's meant for me? Did you have an idea of like, okay, I want to take it further, or was it just like this is it for me?

SPEAKER_03 17:42

Oh no, I I knew that was it. Like I knew that I wanted to work in Hollywood. I knew that this for me, it was just such an out-of-body experience, especially for this kid that was told that we're not smart. Yeah, you know, and then and then coming from Zim, and I say coming from Zim only because us as Zimbabweans, we can't even believe it. You know what I mean? So then when we start seeing somebody do it, uh it's like, for example, we have a union, right? A makeup union. And um from the last time we checked, I was the only African that was in the makeup union. And it's difficult to get up in the makeup union. There's black people, but the African, like a black African, there is a South African white girl, but a black, like it's just kind of at first it's an out-of-body experience, you know, because you're like, oh wow, amazing. And then, but then when you start thinking about it, you're like, this is kind of sad. I don't understand, you know? Like, what are we doing? Like, I want another African to be here.

SPEAKER_07 18:44

And so, yeah, that's like what do you think needs to be done in order for there to be more Africans in the union?

SPEAKER_03 18:51

I think parents need to really look into our art. Um, you know, our parents are still in that mindset of sciences. Sciences are great, right? School is awesome, but art is really running the streets right now. I mean, we have control.

SPEAKER_00 19:10

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 19:10

You know, art is making money. You know, whether you're singing or whatever it is, and you're using your hands, I mean, makeup and hair, come on. Now it's like a billion-dollar industry. So I think that um parents getting out on that off getting out of that mindset that you know, if you're an artist, you're not very smart. It's just that we're thinking with a different type of brain, you know?

SPEAKER_06 19:34

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 19:34

And you have a daughter. I have a daughter.

SPEAKER_07 19:37

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 19:37

She's 18. She's 18.

SPEAKER_07 19:40

She's hit a milestone.

SPEAKER_03 19:42

She's my baby.

SPEAKER_07 19:44

How do you parent? Like, is there anything that you look at when it comes to your upbringing? You're like, I want to emulate this, you know, you've mentioned your mom. Oh, is there any other things as well? Like, especially when it comes to keeping the African traditions in there. Because also your daughter's got a very short name. I loved that. When I saw that, I was like, yes, I wasn't good, yeah, as well. Um, and then is there anything that you're like, okay, I've decided with my child, I'm not going to carry this on.

SPEAKER_03 20:14

100%. So as strict as my father was, right? Because that's that's what he was taught, right? You know, get beatings and you're okay, right? I'm not that person who's like, oh my God, I got beaten up now, I can't think straight and I'm got mental stuff. No. We were beaten up, it's what it is, it happened. Right. So for me, I just, the truth is, my husband was like, we're not raising a kid that we're beating up. Yeah. Because how is this kid gonna go to school and explain when they start beating up somebody and you beating up at home? And at school they're being told you can't hit somebody else, and then at home you're like, bam, bam, bam. You know, it doesn't even make any kind of sense. So he's like, We're gonna talk to them. And I remember rolling my eyes, going, We're gonna talk to them. Nobody was talking to me. But um honestly, my my daughter's personality is like my husband's. She's very calm, sweet girl, super kind. I I have never had to think of hitting her. She's just not that kid, you know. And I've been blessed. I think a lot of it also has to do with the fact that sometimes you get lucky. You know, she's not a she's not a troublemaker, she's very sensitive. She's just this kind kid, you know. And um, she's very close to her dad. You know, I'm daddy's girl. Oh my god, she's a hundred percent because she was preemie. She came when she was six months, right?

SPEAKER_07 21:30

What?

SPEAKER_03 21:31

And he That's a miracle. It's a miracle, baby. My baby's a miracle. Yeah, she was two pounds and she went down to one pound in some ounces.

SPEAKER_02 21:39

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 21:40

And um, and she's my husband was the first one that bathed her, he's the first one that held her. They have such a tight bond that I step back and I'm like, alrighty, I this I bought this child for you, sir. She looks exactly like my husband. And I'm like, I was just a spaceship.

SPEAKER_07 21:58

Pretty much.

SPEAKER_03 22:00

But um she's just so kind and sweet. The other day she sent me something that was really cool. She sent me this video. Um, and this little girl is saying, I can't, I can't understand um um girls that don't get along with their moms. You know, I want to be my mom. And I was like, wow, she wants to be like me. I mean, I work like crazy, you know, and I'm I'm hardly ever there, but um, you know, we we communicate every single day, but my husband's with her every single time, you know, because it's always the other way around, right? Yeah. Like where they're like, oh, this one is with their mom. And I came to the conclusion that, you know, she's with the dad all the time. They have an amazing bond. I love it. You know, because when a child is raised by their father, it's a different I agree. Especially girls, yeah. Different type of confidence.

SPEAKER_07 22:44

No, I agree. 100%. A father's presence in a child, particularly a person. Especially a girl woman, a girl is it makes such a massive difference from her saying yes to this person, let's say, in fact, yes to this man and no to this man. Oh, 100%. Makes a massive difference.

SPEAKER_03 22:59

Because like I remember when my daughter was like, she was under nine, and my husband was like, you know what, I'm gonna take my daughter to Paris. It was almost like he had this um, because right now, you know, it's all about Instagram, right? These little girls, or even us, like all the, you know, a guy comes in and goes, I'm gonna take you to Paris. You're like, Yes, son, I'll give you my underwear. Yeah, you know, because you've been taking to Paris, right?

SPEAKER_02 23:23

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 23:23

Um, and he said, I want to take my daughter to Paris first. Because when that guy comes in and goes, Oh, I want to take you to Paris, she's like, Okay. Yeah, you know, and she's like, you know what? You know, I've done that. I'm not impressed.

SPEAKER_07 23:37

It's gonna do standards for what she deserves.

SPEAKER_03 23:39

Step, I for me, I thought that was the most beautiful thing. I was like, this is why I love this man.

SPEAKER_07 23:45

Right? This is why we loved. Yes, just that was this is it, yeah. But you know, actually, no, one of my aunties eloved. I want to know about you people because we are respectful, I've realized I've never asked her. No, no, no, how did that happen?

SPEAKER_03 23:57

I'm so listen, I'm super respectful, yeah, right, but we knew we were broke, and I did not just want to be that cow that's being milked, yeah, and then all of a sudden I'm giving your ass benefits. Did I just say ass?

SPEAKER_06 24:12

It's okay.

SPEAKER_03 24:12

All right, and you know, I'm doing everything like a wifey, and then we're growing up together, and then all of a sudden you are 20-something and you decide, you know what, I don't want to, and I'm giving you now. That's I'm not living with you if I'm not getting anything out of it.

SPEAKER_07 24:27

Okay, but we love that. In terms of you just also having gotten something out of who you've made yourself to be. Earlier you said, you know, you're always traveling, which I was like, on your socials again. I'm like, when is this woman not in Zimbabwe? You know, and it was just a great thing, anyways, but I happened to be here and she was here, so I shouldn't have been surprised. So um let's talk now Vault cosmetics, right? Okay, and then also Vault Academy. Yeah. Tell me about that journey because you've now saturated, you've you've gone into you've gone to Hollywood, you've got you've learned some lessons, I can imagine, which actually I want to know what are some of the things that you've learned from that. As you can see, I have many questions for you. I love it. Um, but no, let's talk about Vault first. What inspired it and what gap did you want to close that you noticed? I need to be the solution there. It's actually a very interesting story.

SPEAKER_04 25:18

We'll be right back.

SPEAKER_07 25:20

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SPEAKER_05 26:20

Now, back to the show.

SPEAKER_03 26:23

Because my intention wasn't to come here and open up uh like I wasn't supposed to do a makeup company. Really? No, I wasn't supposed to be. I was so scared to open up a company in Zimbabwe where that was my specialty because I was scared to fail, right? So I was like, well, you know what? I'm in that space, right? And I and a friend of mine had called me and was like, man, Zimbabwe is happening. This was like 17 years ago. Zimbabwe is happening. This is, you know, you need to come and invest in Zimbabwe, blah, blah, blah, blah. And my parents always said you need to come back home, you know? And living in America, you will never be American. You will never be accepted, you know. And as you grow, you want that acceptance. It doesn't matter whether you stay in London and have a British accent or an American accent. The fact that you come back home is it, man. There's something about it, right? And it the I said, okay, I'm I'm gonna come in here. And then um, I remember uh my girlfriend introduced me to this one guy, and he was, you know, into business here. And she was like, Listen, let's introduce you to the people who are in business so you can just kind of figure out actually my girlfriend that's here.

SPEAKER_06 27:34

Oh, okay.

SPEAKER_03 27:35

Alina. Shout out to her. Shout out to Lena. And we went to see this uh one of her friends, and he owned this pharmaceutical company, and that was a pivotal moment for me. And I was talking about nails and blah, blah, blah, and I'm going on and on. And then he said to me, but then I was talking about makeup a lot, right? Okay. And then he was like, Aren't you into makeup? And I was like, Yeah. And he goes, So why do you want to do all these other things when you can do makeup? I panicked. And I was like, Yeah, yeah, I'm into makeup. And then I went back to the States and I was telling my husband, I said, you know what, I'm gonna do this right. So I said, I'm not going to go ahead and find a chemist. I'm going to brand because brand is branding, branding is cheaper, right? You go to there was a couple of manufactur like manufacturers. You go there, you put your name on the product, and then you come back. That's what I did first, right? I came back, but inside of me, I felt the lie.

SPEAKER_06 28:36

Yeah. Right?

SPEAKER_03 28:37

Oh, I did. I felt because it it wasn't my brand, right? Not that branding is bad. It's just that that's not that that's not what I looked at Zimbabwean women. They were using black liner, they were using foundation that wasn't for them. And the people that were so-called elite are the ones that were going into barbers and buying this makeup that didn't even match them. And I could see that there's something missing. Nobody was wearing any lips at that time. You know, it was always brown liner with the gloss or Vaseline, you know. And if you did wear lips, it was red. Red was always the thing. Red, or that burgundy. Man, we love our burgundy.

SPEAKER_06 29:13

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 29:14

But it was a dark brown burgundy, right? And for me, I could see the gap, and nobody really wore their makeup right, right? And then, um, so then I was just like, okay, I see the gap. And then even those manufacturers weren't making the stuff right. Like even my foundation was okay. It wasn't great. But because I'd work in the industry, because I'd mix foundations for all these celebrities, and at that time there was a gap in Hollywood for um black people. So I would mix a lot of things to make stuff for that that can match, right? And here I am in Zimbabwe, and people are wearing foundation that's not even for them. And I could see the gap. And I'm have this company, right? And I called it Vault for a reason, because every company that existed at that time was saying no to me to come and invest in Zimbabwe because they were saying Zimbabwe is a liability.

SPEAKER_06 30:11

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 30:11

Right. This is 17 years ago. Okay. No more no company wanted to come here.

SPEAKER_06 30:17

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 30:17

And it's very expensive to, you know, bring, you know, the all these big companies, right? Because you know you're spending a lot of money, right? And people don't know that. Um, and then all of a sudden, I remember I was driving with my husband, I'll never forget it. And people are saying no, no, no, no, no, right. And one company had said yes to it, but they weren't popular and they only had limited stuff. This is before I even came to Zim. We were in San Francisco, and um my daughter got an ear infection, and we had to drive and we're going around a curve. And then I said to him, you know what? I'm gonna start the makeup company in Zimbabwe. I'm gonna do the branding. And then he said to me, What are you gonna call it? So we went around the curve and I said, I'm gonna call it vault. Then he said, Vault. What is that? I said, like a bank vault.

SPEAKER_06 31:06

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 31:06

And then he said, Why? I said, Because I am so scared. Because I know my people will criticize me, and I'm opening up myself like a bank vault. So I'm gonna call it vault. And then said, okay. So I came and I was also really scared to fail. Failure, because it's embarrassing, right? Oh my god, you failed, you come here, you do this big thing, you've come from Hollywood, everybody's looking at you. And I launched at Borrowdale Brook.

SPEAKER_07 31:34

Fancy.

SPEAKER_03 31:35

Super fancy. Worst mistake of my life.

SPEAKER_07 31:37

Really?

SPEAKER_03 31:38

110%.

SPEAKER_07 31:39

Tell me why.

SPEAKER_03 31:40

Because here it is, I've spent all this money to bring all this stuff in, right? And I didn't understand one, most of those people leave Zim and they're going to buy stuff out of the country.

SPEAKER_06 31:55

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 31:55

Okay. And I'm introducing something new. One thing about us, Zimbabwean, somebody has to do it first. If it fails, they're not doing it. If it if it does great, everybody's gonna do it. Just what it is. They're just waiting for everybody's waiting. Everybody's waiting, which is okay. Like we're followers, we're not really leaders. That's not who we are as people. And it's okay. We're just not. We're just not. We're followers, we're sheep. Right? It only takes a couple of people that are really got the the guts because you it cut it stems from us being colonized. And it stems from us working for other people. Our parents have always told us to work for other people. You know, the entrepreneurs now is through desperation. If we weren't so desperate, we wouldn't be up with entrepreneurs, we'd be like 95, I'm good, I'm good, I'm out.

SPEAKER_06 32:39

Someone else said that to me as well.

SPEAKER_03 32:41

110%. This is who we are, right? So then all of a sudden, I launched at the brook. Oh, people came. And boy, did they eat. They drank, they ate free food. One person bought a lip gloss. One. Yep. I had taken out rental. It was super expensive at that time. Yeah. So I have a whole studio that signed a lease for a year.

SPEAKER_07 33:09

My way.

SPEAKER_03 33:10

One person buys a lip gloss at the brook. Which by the way, when I think about it, I'm like, why did I go to the brook? I could have just gone to Arundel where I was. I was at Avendale. And all of a sudden, I call my husband and I'm like, dude, I failed. I've completely, the very thing, it was almost like I was speaking it into existence, right? The very thing that I was fearful for is the very thing that happened. Right? So now I'm like, man, people are gonna judge me. Already I was putting the papers and I had a picture of me and Snoop Dogg, and people did not believe it was me, and they criticized me the whole time. She was like, She was ugly. What is she doing? This is what we do, right? And I was so upset about that. And I'm like, oh my God, what are they gonna write now? You know? So then I just said to myself, I sat back and I said, okay, you know what? I'm gonna do what I do. Um, if I'm gonna go down, I would like to give back and I want to go to Mbare. And I want to inspire somebody that has a business and finish off strong, right? So a friend of mine, CT at that time, had a magazine and she's like, you know what? I want to write your story before you leave, before you get out of here. And I was like, Cool, why don't you guys follow us? We sent a taxi driver to go into Mbare for us to find a place. We went into Mbari, we found a couple people to do makeovers. First, they said no, because they thought that we were affiliated with some groups, and they refused for us to take videos.

SPEAKER_06 34:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 34:39

And we went right into the market to take two people. We took an older person and a young person, and I had just learned how to do threading.

SPEAKER_07 34:46

Oh, threading. Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 34:48

Nobody was doing threading in Zimbabwe.

SPEAKER_07 34:50

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 34:50

Yeah. So I taught my girls to thread, and we're gonna thread and introduce this woman to threading as well at her shop. We got the people from Bari, people started following us. It was so exciting. It was such an adrenaline rush.

SPEAKER_06 35:04

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 35:04

The funny thing, I was like, man, these are my people. Yeah, exactly. This is what they want. Yeah. We did the makeover. It was absolutely spectacular. It was absolutely spectacular until the girl said, I want to buy the foundation. And I said, No, no, no, I'm gonna give you. And then she goes, No, no, no, no, I want to support. And at that time was sold our foundation for $30. And then she goes, and I said, uh, I felt really bad because I said, Oh my god, I'm introducing these people to something, and then all of a sudden I'm taking it back. That's weird, right? And then she said, something dollars. Ah, sis, one month.

SPEAKER_06 35:42

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 35:43

And I felt really shitty. I remember we get got into the car and I was like, man, talk about failing. Now I've really down in the dumps. And I started crying and I was like, I'm done. And then I announced it on my Facebook. Facebook had just started at that time, and I said, guys, at 400 followers. I said, I'm done. Zim was great. And then people cursed me out. You can't be introducing things into Zimbabwe. You mean you can't win. You can't win Zimbabwe, man. You can't win. And so I was like, what? And then I was sharing a place with a friend of mine, Judith. And she was like, listen, I want to start modeling management. We're sharing a place together. So she kind of helped with the rent. And um I decided, okay, we're gonna we're gonna try this out. So I decided to do free makeovers. I'm the one that started free makeovers. That changed everything. Oh, that changed everything. Fast forward a couple years later, I found a chemist and he started making the brand. Yeah, I did.

SPEAKER_00 36:49

I got there. We got there.

SPEAKER_03 36:51

We got there. We got there. And he started making foundation specifically for our climate and for Zimbabwe.

SPEAKER_07 37:01

And Israel, where is he based?

SPEAKER_03 37:03

In LA.

SPEAKER_07 37:04

Wow. That's such a process. What stopped you from completely giving up? I know you said, ah, guys, I'm done. And the Zimbabwe's came for you, but what stopped you from completely giving up?

SPEAKER_03 37:18

Because you kept coming back. No, I I did. And trust me, I I'm I'm quitting every other day. Trust me.

SPEAKER_06 37:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 37:24

So what stopped me is, I think it was just the excitement of seeing people just really transform. That is a high for me. When somebody, when you do somebody's makeup and they look and they're like, oh, DD hitting, you know. And that get and then also teaching the girls, you know, like all these girls. For me, it was the underdogs. I just needed the underdogs to be seen because I remember myself as an underdog, right? Um, I was an underdog in locks, right? Not the prettiest. Nobody noticed. You know? But for me, it was like I was an underdog, I wanted the underdogs, the girls that are really smart, the girls that live in areas that nobody's paying attention, because the Zimbabweans, we're very judgmental. You know, you're like, listen, what's your error code? If your error code is not in the so-called right place, then I'm going to judge you, right? So for me, it was like I was seeing women that needed to sit on that table that didn't have the opportunity because somebody looks at you and judges you right away. So for me, it was like I'm gonna transform her. We're gonna go to that interview.

SPEAKER_06 38:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 38:41

First impressions and lasting impressions. Let's see who's gonna win.

SPEAKER_06 38:45

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 38:46

To me, that was very important.

SPEAKER_07 38:47

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 38:48

Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 38:48

And the academy. Because you also have Vault Academy. Um, it's been very interesting as well, just seeing the growth of that. Oh yeah. And how you've come, you there was a fire there.

SPEAKER_03 38:59

Yes. Uh a few years ago, right? And oh, two years ago.

SPEAKER_07 39:03

It was two years ago.

SPEAKER_03 39:04

Yeah, yeah. Yeah. Two years ago. Again, I quit that when the fire happened, kind of in my head. Yeah. And but you are you're still going. But you know what? That's honestly be one, because of Zimbabweans. And secondly, because I've got a really awesome support system. You know, I remember my aunt called and she's like, listen, you're not quitting. I'm gonna put some floors. She surprised me with floors, you know. My sister surprised me with the table. Um, you know, a couple of friends are just like, look, listen, it doesn't have to be fancy. There's a purpose in this. And guess what? The clients were like, we don't care. It doesn't have to be fan. I mean, they came the next day and were like, where are we buying the products from? Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 39:45

Yeah. Um, and how do you pick these young women who come into the space and who go through the c academy?

SPEAKER_03 39:53

They're parents, cousins themselves, they pick me.

SPEAKER_06 39:57

Wow. Okay.

SPEAKER_03 39:58

Yeah. So it's a lot of times, you know, the truth is, you know, a child could be sitting at home and then you have an aunt that's doing something and she's like, Can you help me? And it's free, right? So the whole academy is free for eight months.

SPEAKER_07 40:11

Yeah. And when they leave, you you leave them with their own kit.

SPEAKER_03 40:14

Yeah, because they leave with the owner, they earn it, they earn it within the eight months, right? So the academy is very different. It's a very interactive academy. It's really a store, and we do makeovers there, right? So if you don't know, you would never know that it is a student, right? Um, the only reason why you'll know is because I announce it all every single time. And sometimes they stand back and they don't do anything, okay? And they'd be watching. So they learn not only to do makeup, but they learn the fundamental skills, customer service, being at the register, being on time with stuff, you know, because some of them actually don't end up as makeup artists, right? Some of them make end up as, you know, hosts somewhere, some of them end up as businesswomen selling something completely different. And that's what the academy is all about. We want you to evolve into who you were supposed to be. So it's not about makeup. Yeah, it's about finding your purpose when somebody else is not giving you an opportunity to find that purpose.

SPEAKER_07 41:16

What then fulfills you? Because you are doing so much or giving back so much. How does it make you feel when you see the transformation of these young women? You said you're a girl's girl earlier. Yeah. And actually, I should tell them a little story. How I know Jackie is because she slid into my DMs, guys, literally. Um, in 2023, I had to go back and look at it because what happened is, of course, I'm in Zimbabwe. I'm like, hey, I really want to do this season. And uh I've been seeing, of course, I follow you. Um, but then my cousin was talking and she's like, You're here. I was like, wait, what? I want to have my podcast. I went to the DMs and I remember looking at your followers and being like, I don't know if she's gonna respond to this. Then I pressed message or contact, whatever it that is. And I saw that you messaged me in 2023 and you said to me, guys, let me just just just just so we can, you know, show you, or I can show you the beauty of support. Um, when you support each other, but also people of maybe an older generation just saying to younger people, hey, I see you. Well done. She didn't send me a whole essay, but it was more than enough. And she just said to me, Hey, hey, Nyasha, hope you're awesome. Loving your work with the heart emoji. And I was like, when I saw this, I was like, oh my gosh, thank you very much. And that is an incredible um difference that you already made. Because of course I'd forgotten about it in that time, right now. But I remember when I saw it back then, I was telling people and I was like, how did she see my profile? Like, what, like she's completely like she's in Hollywood doing makeup. Um, I'm here, you know, in UK, just trying to be a journalist, trying to, you know, I'm in the trenches. And so that was very, very um encouraging to me. So why do you believe that part of um support, giving that support, being a girl's girl is very important and pivotal?

SPEAKER_03 43:22

Because everybody wants to be noticed, right? Yeah. So if I'm in a position of acknowledgement and I'm in a position of doing that, why not? Um a lot of people feel untouchable when they're in a certain position. I don't want to be that person. Yeah, you know, I want to be accessible.

SPEAKER_06 43:40

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 43:40

And if I call myself a so-called person who really believes in a higher power, and that is God, you know, and I'm not a pastor, I'm not perfect, but there's certain things that we're not we're supposed to do, right? And if we believe that our highest power, whatever highest power it is, was supposed to go amongst the people. Who am I not to?

SPEAKER_06 44:02

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_07 44:04

Because you you do be going amongst the people.

SPEAKER_03 44:06

I I am in it.

SPEAKER_07 44:08

You are, you are. I saw a video of you helping this lady. She's like in her 70s. Mama Carol! Mama Carol. Man.

SPEAKER_02 44:16

Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 44:17

Like literally, you'd be really getting into the community. And people listen to you. Like, guys, come, let's support, you know. Um, and then of course, you you do have life back in in in LA. So, what's life like over there?

SPEAKER_03 44:30

Ah, life in LA is amazing because I'm living that dream.

SPEAKER_06 44:36

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 44:36

Right? I love being on set. I love this unbelievable land where all these people who have different uh craftsmanships, like from the people that put the set together, like you have one room and they're putting the set together. So it becomes something absolutely unbelievable, out of this world, untouchable. And I'm part of it. And it is an adrenaline rush. I get as excited as I was in the beginning. 20 somewhat years later, I'm there on set really early, first thing in the morning. And I just look up and I'm like, God, this is my life. I am doing what I'm supposed to be doing. And to me, that just makes my whole day. Like just having that phone call. Hey, you're gonna work on this show. I'm like, what? This is amazing, right? And then my friend is like, we've been working on these shows forever.

SPEAKER_07 45:36

And I'm like, but yes, this is great. So what show? Okay, I I'm not gonna ask you to like pick a favorite, because I know it's like picking your favorite child. Right. But what show would you say like you really enjoyed? Um, or you just learned something. It can even be a negative or tough experience that you went through. Oh my God.

SPEAKER_03 45:55

Okay, so I'll tell you the toughest, where I really knew at that time I did not have a job anymore.

SPEAKER_06 46:02

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 46:02

So here I am at start, you know, like you have this adrenaline. I mean, life is going, man. You're feeling like, you're feeling you're like, yes, I got this. I'm experienced now. So I get this gig. And it's right in the beginning, and it was my first head department um movie that I was gonna do. The guy had taken out a loan out of his house for half a million. Shout out to Scott. And um, at that time, that was like a low budget, but it was a high budget for him because it's $500,000, right? Anyway, so here it is. We're doing this movie, and he says to me, Jackie, um, we're gonna do a blood scene, right? And there's this thing called tubing. So what you do is a special effects. You put the tube up, and then when the person gets stabbed, and the blood squirts out, you're supposed to, you hiding and you pump it, and then the blood completely squirts out.

SPEAKER_07 46:54

Okay, that's how they do it. Okay.

SPEAKER_03 46:56

So there's a technique to that, right? So this is a low budget. So normally they'll have two, three different clothes, but the same clothes, right? Sorry, two different, they'll have sets of clothes, okay? So that if it doesn't work out, this happens. But we're on a low budget, okay? So we only got one outfit. We only got one outfit, we need to do it right. Okay, so this was like a really big deal. We had gone out in the desert, there's nowhere to change, we're just gonna do this. The actors are in the mode. So a lot of times the actors like, you know, they start screaming it out loud and they get into the motion, and the woman that was supposed to be stabbing, she's going over her whole scene and she's like, blah, blah, blah. She's just shouting, you know, the guy's pretending to stab, whatever, right? Scott, the director, comes to me and says, Jackie, do we have the tubing right? And I said, Yes, we have, because I had learned it in school, right? So I hired friends from the class, right? This is very important, people. Just because they're your friends does not mean you're supposed to hire them. I'm just letting you know. Okay? These friends never listened in class.

SPEAKER_07 48:00

Oh my.

SPEAKER_03 48:01

Okay? But they were my friends.

SPEAKER_07 48:03

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 48:03

Right? I was the one that was serious. So I take them to my first big gig because I want to hang out with my friends. But I'm also very serious about this. We're in the desert and we're doing this. So, with tubing, if you put something in a tube and it's blood and you put um soap, the bubbles block and it doesn't come out. So you weren't supposed to put soap. The only time you put soap is to make the blood thick, but it's not supposed to be in the tube. Guess what they did?

SPEAKER_07 48:31

Oh gosh. They put soap.

SPEAKER_03 48:32

They were in the set, they were on set preparing the blood that I was supposed to use. The blood was only supposed to be watery. So this part, the part comes every sight. I didn't even sleep that night. I went over it, I went over it, looked at my tubes, the blood comes. We put in the blood. People are screaming, blah, blah, blah. All of a sudden they're like, and action. I'm like, okay, action, action. The blood came out this way. Then the other blood came out this way. And the actors are screaming. And I'm like, what's going on? The director, the camera guy, is cursing at me. What the F is happening? Everybody's like, I'm itchy under my armpits. I don't understand what's going on. And I'm like, I don't know what's going on. I don't know what's going on, right? In my head. But uh so far I'm just trying to fix it, trying to look professional. Then all of a sudden, the actors were pissed. Everything was ruined. And they said, we have to go back. This part is completely ruined. We had to all go into the bus back to the motel that we were staying at. And I realized what would happen, but I couldn't blame my team. So the director said to me, You really effed up. That's what he said to me in the whole bus with everybody. And I was like, Yeah, I did. I got to the hotel, he was pissed. I said, I'm never going to work in Hollywood. I cried all night. I couldn't even get pissed with these people. I cried all night. I did because they were like, we have to go home. It's the the set the this was done. Half a million dollars. Hello? You took it out of his house.

SPEAKER_06 49:58

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 49:58

Yeah. But guess what? The next day he was like, okay, what we'll do is we'll just cut that scene out. We'll do other things. And he said to me, Scott said to me, Jackie, the only reason why I'm giving you another chance is because I see your integrity. You mean it, you in it, and he's hired me since he's one of the people that actually made my career.

SPEAKER_07 50:28

Really?

SPEAKER_03 50:29

Yep.

SPEAKER_07 50:30

You need those people in your life who see you and believe in you.

SPEAKER_03 50:34

100%.

SPEAKER_07 50:35

My God.

SPEAKER_03 50:35

Yeah, I messed up. I really thought I was never gonna work again. And some most of the time you don't. Wow.

SPEAKER_07 50:42

And here you are.

SPEAKER_03 50:43

Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 50:43

And we're talking about how you are a change maker in Zimbabwe. You know, I love those who go and they yeah, they get their achievements there, but you never forget home.

SPEAKER_03 50:54

Absolutely.

SPEAKER_07 50:55

And that that is an incredible thing.

SPEAKER_03 50:57

Yeah, we all need somebody to. We all we we need to see somebody who looks like you. We can't, you know what I mean? I I need to see that. I need to see another person that looks like me to say, you know what, I can do it.

SPEAKER_07 51:08

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And that's one of the reasons why I'm so happy that we managed to make this happen. I will say though, I'm not done with talking to you. The only reason why I'm like, okay, we must round up is only because I have to keep to a time and be a woman of integrity. I love that. Yeah, be a woman of integrity and make sure that I pull up the way that I'm supposed to. But Jackie, I've really enjoyed this conversation. But what I'm happy about is that we're not completely, completely finished. I have a segment in the podcast called Pass the Mic. Where a previous guest leaves a question for the next guest. Oh. This is great. Uh-huh. So you get to answer first a question from my TT.

unknown 51:58

Oh.

SPEAKER_07 51:59

And her question. By the way, she didn't know it was you. Because I like to make things a little bit fun. I set up a little bit. I don't tell people the next guest. Yeah, yeah. Um, but you know the next guest, so maybe you could think.

SPEAKER_02 52:11

I'm already thinking about a thousand questions.

SPEAKER_07 52:14

But let's ask you your question first from my TT. And it's and it's just as beautiful and as simple as this. Are you okay?

unknown 52:24

Wow.

SPEAKER_07 52:25

That is deep.

SPEAKER_03 52:26

Yeah. Can I tell you? I am more than okay.

SPEAKER_07 52:31

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 52:31

Really, I am.

SPEAKER_07 52:33

She said, I must also ask you, are you sure you're okay?

SPEAKER_03 52:37

A hundred and twenty thousand percent I am okay. Especially now. Not that I'm not always okay, but guess what? I'm a moment person, right? So right at this moment, I am okay.

SPEAKER_06 52:50

I love that. I love that.

SPEAKER_03 52:53

Oh, 100%. Yeah, yeah. That doesn't mean that at the end of the night I wouldn't be. But right at this moment, I'm okay.

SPEAKER_07 53:01

No, I'm good. I'm I'm very happy to hear that that I've had an impact in that.

SPEAKER_03 53:05

Yeah, for sure.

SPEAKER_07 53:06

So you get to leave a question for the next guest.

SPEAKER_03 53:11

So before the end of the month, whose life are you going to impact honestly? That you haven't done.

SPEAKER_07 53:25

That you haven't done. Yes. Okay, you really are giving them the I'm gonna la. So sorry for the next guest. Because that's pressure. Ah, that's pressure. When we say pressure, then that's pressure. Please call me tonight. I actually will. Okay. Yes. And then the very last thing I want to ask you is something that I'm calling it's giving Zimbabwe.

SPEAKER_02 53:54

Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_07 53:55

Because Jackie, when I was seeing It's Giving Zimbabwe, in fact, the first person who sent me a video on TikTok, where it was It's Giving Zimbabwe, right? They were literally showing the worst of the worst. And I was like, uh, we Zimbabweans must reclaim that narrative. Oh, yeah. So here is a question for you. I'm literally asking all of my guests. So your It's Giving Zimbabwe question is what's one Zimbabwean tradition or habit that you hope will never get lost?

SPEAKER_03 54:29

Our laughter, man. That hey kiki kiki. I hope that will never go away. Yeah, because we didn't. We can I mean we I mean that laughter has to be loud.

SPEAKER_07 54:46

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 54:46

I mean, when we get together, what? That never is.

SPEAKER_07 54:50

You know what I used to think? When my mom and her sisters would get together, my whole family would be like, my God, Christmas is at my house.

SPEAKER_03 54:57

My God.

SPEAKER_07 54:58

Your ears will be ringing.

SPEAKER_03 55:00

I mean on the floor, the crying, that can never go away. You know what I mean? Listen, of course, when you get into certain places, you have to kind of laugh a little bit.

SPEAKER_07 55:11

Have a little bit of demeanor.

SPEAKER_02 55:13

But man, when we together, yeah, that's we just have it down, but get it down. I love it. I love everybody. We cannot lose that ever.

SPEAKER_07 55:21

Yeah, no, I love that. And I because I agree. Yeah. I agree. Because my my way into seeing that, of course, because I left Zim a little bit early to go to UK. Because my family, yo, I sometimes I'll be like, these people are so loud. Loud. I'm also loud.

SPEAKER_03 55:38

Oh, 100%.

SPEAKER_07 55:38

Like when I'm at uni, sometimes people at work are like they come from down the line. They're like, Nyasha, I heard you from down there. I'm like, no, I'm not going to be blood.

SPEAKER_01 55:47

It's no blood. It's not blood. When we get together, it's just so damn loud.

SPEAKER_07 55:51

Yeah, we are.

SPEAKER_01 55:51

Like, why are we so loud?

SPEAKER_07 55:54

It's the joy. You must know that the Zims are here. 100%.

SPEAKER_01 55:58

It's the joy. Yeah.

SPEAKER_07 55:59

Oh, thank you so much for talking to me.

SPEAKER_03 56:00

Oh, this was great. Thank you, Nyasha. This was amazing. Thank you. Yeah, I've had a really great time. You are so warm. Oh, so humble. Appreciate that. 100%. You're so welcoming. When we came, you're like, hello. Of course. You know, it's that Zim hospitality.

SPEAKER_02 56:15

I love it. I love it.

SPEAKER_07 56:17

But I did say earlier, and I meant it, I'm not done having a conversation with you. I would love for us to also do it a 2.0.

SPEAKER_03 56:25

100%.

SPEAKER_07 56:25

2.0. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 56:27

I'm here.

SPEAKER_07 56:27

Thank you so much. Thank you. The people do know you. They already love you. But I do want them in case there are some new fans there. You can just look at that camera and just tell them where they can find you.

SPEAKER_03 56:38

So if you want to find me, it's J-A-C-Q-U-E-M-G-I-D-O. But you know what? I'm going to make it a little easier for you. Just Google African Hollywood Makeup Artists. Trust it's me that comes up.

SPEAKER_07 56:50

Yeah, essentially what she said is just Google me, baby. Listen, I love when somebody's able to do that, but also know what it is to come back home and give back, which is what Jackie has been doing. I really appreciate all of you guys for tuning in to this episode. And if you haven't already done so, make sure you like, share, and subscribe. And follow us on all social media platforms at with Nyasha Michelle, or you can follow me at Nyasha Michelle underscore. Until next time, stay inspired. See you guys. Love it. Thank you.