"May your business flourish": 22-year-old Soweto spa owner moves SA with her story of perseverance

• A 22-year-old Soweto entrepreneur is inspiring South Africans after sharing her journey of building her business, Revive Day Spa
• Starting from a humble back room with almost no clients, she saved, reinvested, and expanded her business to create employment for young women
• South African viewers flooded the comments section with messages of admiration, encouragement and praise for her resilience and success
• Briefly News reached out to Tshidzi Muthivhi to learn about her journey establishing a luxury spa in Soweto and her message for aspiring female entrepreneurs

A determined 22-year-old entrepreneur captured hearts across Mzansi after documenting her journey from starting in a small back room to owning a fully established day spa in Soweto on the TikTok account @reviveday on 4 October 2026. After completing matric at 18, studying beauty therapy, and obtaining her CIDESCO qualification, she took a leap of faith to build something of her own.

Overcoming early struggles to create jobs

Despite initial struggles during which she could barely afford rent or secure more than two clients every few weeks, her persistence paid off. Today, Revive Day Spa is a flourishing sanctuary that not only offers premium beauty services but also creates job opportunities for other young women in the community.

Watch the inspiring story shared in the TikTok video below:

Overcoming early struggles to build a flourishing wellness brand

We at Briefly News caught up with Tshidzi Muthivhi, the founder of Revive, to discuss her passion for beauty and her transition from a small back room to a thriving business.

When asked what inspired her to launch a spa in Soweto at a young age and how she got the venture off the ground, Muthivhi shared:

“I have always had a passion for beauty, wellness and helping people feel confident, relaxed and good about themselves. My mother has always encouraged my passion for beauty, which eventually led me to beauty school, where I obtained my ITEC qualification. After gaining experience working in the beauty industry, I realised that I wanted to build something of my own. I started Revive from a small back room with very few clients. At times, I had only two or three clients in two weeks, and there were even moments when paying rent was a challenge. I continued saving, reinvesting and learning until I was able to move into bigger spaces and eventually build the Revive people see today.”

The team asked what her biggest hurdle has been so far while establishing her enterprise:

“My biggest challenge was believing in the business when there was very little evidence that it would work. I had to learn to believe in my vision before other people could see it. Today, I have realised that I did not just build a spa. I built proof that your beginning does not have to determine your ending.”

When asked what advice she holds for young women interested in venturing into business, Muthivhi expressed:

“My advice to young women is to start with what you have, never despise small beginnings, learn your craft, reinvest in yourself and your business, and never let your age make you underestimate yourself.”

Mzansi praises her resilience and exceptional service

South Africans on TikTok flooded the comments section to celebrate her dedication and encourage her to keep pushing forward:

@Sharnice said:

"May your business flourish 🥂🙏"

@NomvulaMercia added:

"Keep pushing sis, we enjoyed our day. Your service is exceptional 👏."

@sainbie advised:

"You should enter the top 16 youth-owned brands awards."

@Ms.Ayanda wrote:

"I really enjoyed my visit to your beautiful spa. Keep up the good work, ladies 👏."

@pruessenceplutnin shared:

"I was there on my birthday in September. I don't regret it; you guys are doing excellent work. Big up baby girl girl 🫶."

@Enessi Sbongile Moyane enquired:

"How do we book?"

More articles about entrepreneurs

• A local serial entrepreneur inspired Mzansi after sharing a viral TikTok video showcasing three of her seven businesses conveniently located next to each other.
• A business owner from Khayelitsha shared a heartfelt video asking people to repost it until it reached mall officials, hoping to secure an exhibition stand to sell her spices.
• A beauty parlour owner touched hearts across social media after sharing a heartbreaking video of herself informing her tearful staff that she had to close down her business after just two months of operation.

Source: Briefly News

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