1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
Pleroma Patch is South Africa’s first vitamin patch brand created to help people experience the fullness of life. We offer transdermal patches infused with clean, science-backed ingredients that support recovery, sleep, hormonal balance, and more. But more than a product, we are a movement championing wellness that is simple, effective, and joyfully lived.
2. When, how, and why did you start your business?
I launched Pleroma on 25 November 2024 after becoming deeply frustrated with the clutter and complexity of traditional wellness routines. I wanted something clean, wearable, and modern. That quiet desire turned into a bold vision, and eventually, a wellness brand changing the game across South Africa.
3. What is your role in the business?
As the Founder and CEO, I set the vision and direction for the brand. But my greatest strength lies in building powerful teams. I truly believe I’ve been gifted with the ability to bring the right people together, and I’m proud to say we have an exceptional team of women and men who lead our departments with excellence, creativity, and integrity. My role is to champion them, challenge them, and ensure we’re all moving toward our shared purpose.
4. Where did you study, and what did you study?
I studied BCom Accounting as my undergraduate degree, which gave me a solid foundation in business and financial acumen. I then completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Analysis, a game-changer that deepened my ability to think critically, solve complex problems, and translate strategy into action. Today, I’m incredibly blessed to be completing my Master’s in Cybersecurity, Risk, and Strategy at New York University. This global program has stretched and sharpened me in ways I couldn’t have imagined, equipping me to lead with both vision and resilience.
5. How did you finance your business?
Through personal savings and sacrifice. I self-funded Pleroma because I believed in the vision before anyone else could. Every rand invested was an act of faith, and every step since has been proof that when you bet on purpose, the return is always bigger than profit.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
Each day begins with quiet prayer – anchoring myself in God. I usually go for a morning run and, if time allows, a sauna blanket session to reset my body. I work a full 9-5 as a Cybersecurity Consultant, and during lunch breaks, I squeeze in a partnership or stockist calls. I check in with every department across the business, from product to creative to customer experience. This is where the power of our strong, capable team shines. I may lead the vision, but our execution is a team sport, and I wouldn’t trade mine for anything.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
I don’t strive for balance, I pursue alignment. Some days lean heavier into work, others into rest or relationships. What keeps me grounded is a deep desire to live a life of purpose and vitality. I structure my time in a way that honours my faith, my body, my loved ones, and the mission I’ve been entrusted with. Harmony is my north star.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
Faith is my foundation, and the desire to leave the world better is my fuel. I’m deeply moved by women who build from nothing, by ideas that spark change, and by people who dare to lead with heart.
One of my favourite quotes is:
“I am going to make everything around me beautiful – that will be my life.”
That’s the mission. That’s the work. That’s the legacy I want to leave behind.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
In moments of stillness, often when I’m out in nature, during long drives, or after time spent in the Word. My best ideas come when I’ve allowed God’s voice to be the loudest in my life. The more I lean into that divine guidance, the clearer the vision becomes. It’s not just creativity, it’s clarity with purpose. There’s something sacred about building something with heaven’s whisper at your back.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
We use Instagram to connect authentically with our audience, and we’re very intentional about building community, not just a customer base. We also partner with gyms, lifestyle brands, and wellness events that align with our mission. Word-of-mouth has been one of our greatest tools because people share what moves them.
11. What is next for your business?
We’re expanding into new product lines that continue to support our mission of holistic wellness, simple, effective, and wearable. Each new launch is carefully designed to meet real needs in our community and elevate everyday well-being. We’re also scaling through stockists, events, and national distribution.
My dream? For Pleroma to become a household name in wellness across Africa, and one day, the world.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
Start where you are. Use what you have. Trust what’s in your hands. Your vision doesn’t have to be loud or perfect – it just has to be yours. Surround yourself with the right people, don’t be afraid to take the leap, and never forget: your boldness is not a weakness, it’s your superpower.
Biography
Vanessa is the Founder and CEO of Pleroma Patch, a modern wellness brand pioneering a simpler, smarter way to care for your body, through transdermal vitamin patches designed for modern life, and is a 2025 Veuve Clicquot Bold Future Award finalist. She was inspired to create the brand after confronting burnout and hormonal imbalances firsthand. Pleroma’s discreet, plant-based patches support sleep, recovery, and menstrual health, all underpinned by Vanessa’s intentional research, formulation, and ethical sourcing.
Driven by her belief that dignified self-care should be a right, not a luxury, she is developing the ‘Patch It Forward’ initiative, a give-back model that channels a portion of each purchase toward expanding access to wellness essentials like menstrual and sleep support for underserved women and girls.
What are your hopes for the future of women in business?
“I want to see a future where women’s ideas shape markets and policies. I want women to be funded because our vision is valued. Above all, I hope the next generation of girls grows up knowing that leadership is their birthright and that they never need permission to make an impact”.
