Bold Moves in Events: Lessons from Rhulani Hlungwani’s rise with Bold Pearl
Bold Moves in Events: Lessons from Rhulani Hlungwani’s rise with Bold Pearl. In 2013, after studying at hotel school and earning degrees in supply chain and strategic management, Rhulani Hlungwani noticed a recurring problem: event planners struggled to find affordable, reliable furniture and décor equipment for their functions. Spotting an opportunity, she used her savings to buy 100 chairs and in just days, they were fully booked. That first booking marked a turning point. Rhulani officially launched Bold Pearl, a black women–owned event hire and décor business based in Midrand.
Going Full-Time and Scaling Smart
While still working full-time, Bold Pearl’s bookings grew rapidly. Within a year, Rhulani made a choice many struggle with: she resigned from her job to grow the business seriously. Her vision was bold, to serve clients nationwide and build a brand known for quality and reliability. She began acquiring more stock, hiring staff, and building systems.
Overcoming Theft and Team Challenges
Growth brought challenges. Furniture theft proved costly. Rhulani put new operational controls in place, background checks, documentation protocols, only to find another challenge: staff dynamics. She learned that employees have varying strengths and motivations. Today she focuses on assigning tasks aligned with individuals’ strengths rather than expecting uniformity.
Lesson: Scaling demands more than capital, it requires robust systems and flexible, people-led team management.
Systems, Professionalism and Credibility
Rhulani credits participation in Raizcorp’s incubation programme for transforming her approach to business. She moved from swiping personal ATM cards for business to a clean operating structure. Bold Pearl became COIDA registered, insured, with UIF contributions, vehicles, and recognized on the Department of Labour’s radar.
Lesson: Formal structures and compliance build client trust and open opportunities for larger contracts.
Strategic Expansion: Giyani and eMalahleni
By 2021, Rhulani had grown the team from seven to sixteen and tripled turnover. She opened a branch in eMalahleni, secured a contract to run a corporate canteen at Amec Foster Wheeler, and established a second outlet in Giyani, splitting operations between Midrand and Mpumalanga for strategic growth.
Lesson: Expand in stages with strong local ties. Use one branch to test model viability before replicating.
Strategic Strengths and Innovations
- Gap‑driven launch – Filling a market void with immediate demand
- Professional discipline – Compliance and finance separation earned trust
- Franchise vision – Early multi‑location strategy sets path for scaling
- Operational scale-up – Formal systems handled staff and theft challenges
- Support investment – Incubation via Raizcorp accelerated growth and confidence
Actionable Lessons for Founders
- Solve a real problem quickly – Meet urgent needs to build a base
- Move on signals, not fear – Leave steady jobs when traction is clear
- Strengthen for scale – Systems like UIF and insurance matter
- Think regionally, not just locally – Use branches as growth labs
- Learn, don’t stagnate – Mentorship makes growth faster
- Cultivate patience and process – Trips ups are part of the journey
Final Reflection
From borrowing chairs to running multi‑location operations, Rhulani Hlungwani’s Bold Pearl journey shows that intentional decisions, disciplined systems, and humble roots can produce extraordinary growth. She grew not just a business, but a brand built on trust and integrity.
For any founder seeking to scale beyond home-country limitations, her path offers a blueprint: start small, solve a problem, grow deliberately, and put systems before speed. Bold Pearl proves you can be black, woman‑owned, township‑based and become a national force in events.
