- Introduce yourself
“My name is Mervina Nyampulu, and I’m a passionate entrepreneur, creative visionary, and global citizen. I recently completed my MBA STEM from Hult International Business School in Boston, following a diverse academic journey in business, economics, and international relations. Born and raised in South Africa with a rich Portuguese heritage, I’ve always felt deeply connected to the world around me—and driven by a desire to create meaningful, lasting impact.
From launching fashion collections at New York Fashion Week to promoting sustainable agriculture in Mozambique, I’ve learned that my purpose lies in the intersection of business, creativity, and social change. I believe in the power of storytelling, data, and design to transform lives—and I’m on a mission to use every skill I have to build a future where everyone has the right to be who they are, live with dignity, and thrive.
At my core, I’m a dreamer who dares to do—and I’m just getting started.”
- What do you do in your life? Who inspired you in your life/career?
“In my life, I pursue purpose. I create, I build, I lead—with the intention of sparking transformation wherever I go. Whether it’s through launching ethical fashion collections, developing inclusive travel experiences, or championing sustainable farming in underserved communities, everything I do is rooted in a desire to leave the world better than I found it.
My greatest inspiration has been my mother. Watching her rise through adversity, heal through purpose, and dream beyond limitation gave me the blueprint for resilience. She turned a diagnosis into a dream—blueberry farming in Mozambique that not only healed her heart but opened opportunities for an entire village. That vision planted something in me.
But alongside her, I’ve also been inspired by a quieter but equally powerful force: the journey of changing myself. I reached a point where I realized that if I wanted to see change in the world, I had to be brave enough to look in the mirror and change how I saw myself. As Michael Jackson once said, it starts with the ‘man in the mirror.’ For me, that meant unlearning, healing, and rediscovering my voice—and now, using that voice to inspire others to do the same.”
- When did your interest in modeling start?
“Honestly, I can’t even remember the exact moment my interest in modeling began—because it feels like it was always a part of me. From the time I was a little girl, I just wanted to be a princess. I wanted to walk like one, talk like one, be one. I was completely enchanted by elegance, grace, and the power of presence. I remember being obsessed with getting my first pair of high heels—like they were the key to stepping into the woman I imagined myself becoming.
To me, modeling has never just been about clothes or cameras. It’s been about storytelling, transformation, and stepping into a version of myself that is confident, fearless, and full of life. It’s how I express what words sometimes can’t. And even now, as a woman navigating business, creativity, and purpose, modeling remains one of the ways I connect to that little girl who always believed she was meant for something magical.”
- Is there a moment in your life that has particularly marked you?
“Absolutely. One of the most defining moments in my life was the day I graduated from university and immediately stepped into entrepreneurship by starting my first business. While many of my peers were still figuring out what came next, I just knew I couldn’t wait. That day marked more than the end of an academic chapter—it was the beginning of me saying ‘yes’ to my dreams.
It was a bold decision, filled with uncertainty, but it taught me that purpose doesn’t wait for perfect conditions. I realized that sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is to trust yourself enough to begin. That leap into entrepreneurship changed how I saw myself—it was no longer just about what I could learn, but what I could create. It marked the moment I started living as the woman I always believed I could become.”
- Tell us about 3 things you couldn’t live without .
“Wow, honestly—there are three things I absolutely couldn’t live without: my mom, my bed, and my dreams.
First, my mom. She’s not just the woman who raised me—she’s the woman who inspired me. Her strength, her love, and her ability to turn pain into purpose taught me how to be both soft and powerful. She’s my rock, my role model, and the reason I keep pushing forward.
Second, my bed—yes, my bed! I’m a big dreamer, but also a big believer in rest. My bed is my sanctuary. It’s where I reflect, recharge, and sometimes binge a whole series in one night—no shame! It reminds me that slowing down is just as powerful as speeding up.
And lastly, my dreams. They are the fire that fuels me. The things I want to build, the people I want to help, the lives I want to touch—they keep me going. Even when things get tough, my dreams remind me why I started. They are my compass, my calling, and honestly, my everything.”
- What advice would you like to share with other participants?
Never give up!
Never stop following your dreams
Always believe in who you are, if you like that person, that inner voice that tells you that you are amazing. Then follow her, never change her and always believe that she deserves a 100 chances.
