#12daysofglam:GLORIA DHLAMINI “…being your true self draws an audience without having to try too hard”

If you live in South Africa, there’s a decent chance you already follow Gloria Dhlamini, aka gee_dhlamini, on Instagram (174,000 followers). If you don’t, you’ll want to after scrolling through her posts here.

There’s a reason the 26-year-old is one of the most successful social media influencers on the Internet (SA), pulling in a income the rest of us would probably envy. As she continues to make her mark in the online world, Gloria is doing so with grace, class, and humor.

Seeing as we find her work inspiring, there was no hesitation in picking her as our celebrity beauty feature for DAY 7 of our #12daysofglam Christmas giveaway courtesy of ORS Hair Care South Africa. We caught up with her to talk about her job, her obsession with healthy eating, her plans for 2018 and more.

Tell us a bit more about what you do?

G: I’m a 26-year young lady, an avid reader and a tea lover (highly obsessed). I love hard copy books. I’m addicted to the smell of new books. I enjoy autobiography reads as they serve as a testimony to me.

What motivated and inspired you to start your career in the industry?

G: I’m a people person. I really enjoy meeting with a lot of different people and am known for being a great listener. I also enjoy spending time with myself and this is on a regular. I enjoy my own company, this is where I get to think and reflect on my life.

What were the first few steps you took?

G: As an influencer, I think being authentic and a being different gives one leverage. Also understanding the type of audience you have and what they regularly like is important. I realized being your true self draws an audience without having to try too hard. I believe I am relatable to a lot of young women, hence the huge following. I am authentic to who I am as a brand. I stick to what I believe in.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

G: My biggest challenge is that I know my potential but have a fear of failing; this is due to the fact that I’m a perfectionist. I tend to procrastinate and this is one of my biggest challenges. I easily give up once something seems not to be working out.

How do you overcome challenges?

G: How I overcome my challenges, I’m an optimistic person and I usually try my utmost best to have a positive state of mind no matter how tough the situation may be. I always have a positive outlook on life. I’m a big believer in writing my thoughts down in a journal and reading them once I’ve over cake challenge just to remind myself that I can overcome any obstacles I face.

How do you stay motivated through difficult times?

G: How I stay motivated through difficult times, I have regular conversations with God and I also enjoy watching Tedtalks or sermons of great speakers that share their life stories of hardships and how they overcame them. I have a ritual on Sunday’s, I watch Super soul Session on the Oprah Winfrey network, these sessions center me for me week. They have become my form of meditation.

We’ve been following your healthy living growth and your work to inspire others who follow you to do the same, what inspired this?

G: How my eating healthy journey started, I’ve never been a “foodie” per-say but I’ve always enjoyed healthy foods (weird). I once watched an episode of the Oprah Winfrey’s show (I’m obsessed with her) where they were talking about food and what bad eating habits do to us. So I jumped on the wagon of eating healthy and ever since I’ve haven’t looked back.  Also the result of eating healthy shows on a person’s physicality, from your skin, hair, nails etc. so I love looking and feeling good and eating healthy and exercising produce such results. So why not jump on the wagon.

How have you managed to make it a way of life instead of just a phase?
G: It has now become a lifestyle more than anything else, my mind is now programmed on a healthy lifestyle, it’s with the small things I’ve adjusted when I do my grocery shopping, and my mind automatically looks for a healthier option at the supermarket. So it’s mind over matter type of situation. But also believe I’m indulging one in a one, it’s a human body at the end of the day and plus I’m a woman, so from time to time I have cravings of the unhealthy stuff.

What are your plans for 2018?

G: 2018 is the definitely a year of striving to make my goals a reality. It’s time to put in the work. I have a couple of things under my sleeves that I want to work on. One of them is getting into the business. I’m looking forward to 2018. I’m going to work hard to make it a wonderful year for myself.

What advice would you give to other budding influencers?

G: Be authentically yourself, more brands align themselves with authenticity.

Stay in touch with Gloria: Instagram/Twitter

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