Marina Brand: The dream that refused to die

In a world where challenges often test resilience, some women rise above, transforming dreams into reality and inspiring others along the way.  Our reporter Yeukai Karengezeka-Chisepo (YKC) caught up with multi-award-winning businesswoman Marina Timburwa (MT), founder of the Marina Brand, to share her inspirational journey, her impact on women in business, and her contributions to the homeware and lifestyle industry.

YKC: How did the Marina Brand start?

MT: The Marina story began in Mutare, about 15 years ago, where my love for fashion first took root. Back then, I would spend nearly half my salary on clothes — not out of necessity, but because I genuinely adored style. Friends and strangers would compliment me, saying, “You look good,” and a thought began to form: perhaps I could turn this passion into something more.

I opened my first small clothing shop before I was married. I then got married, relocated, and closed the store, but the dream never faded. It remained in my heart, waiting for the right time.

Years later, in 2017, I relaunched in Harare, and this year, 2026, we mark nine years of the Marina Brand. What we have built is not the result of luck, but of a dream that refused to die.

YKC: What inspired you to venture into this line of business?

MT: I love looking good, but what truly brings me joy is helping other women feel good about themselves. When a customer walks into my store and says she can only afford one dress, I will encourage her to try four or five — even styles she thinks she wouldn’t like. There is something deeply rewarding about sparking a woman’s confidence. It is not about money; it is something that lives inside me.

We began with clothing, but have since expanded into house and home — furniture, home décor, vases, ornaments, carpets, bedding, and more. Most of our branches now offer both, and honestly, I cannot say which I love more. Whether I am dressing a woman or helping her beautify her home, I find joy in making her world more beautiful.

I took the long road. I started selling from the boot of my car — I remember selling to students at Africa University, trying to find my footing. Over the years, I tried my hand at many things: a restaurant, grocery stalls, hardware, kids’ wear, and menswear. I did it all. Each venture taught me invaluable lessons about resilience and hard work.

But when I began focusing on clothing and house and home, the work stopped feeling like work. That is not to say the other ventures did not matter — they were all part of my journey. Yet this, this feels like purpose.

YKC: What’s your market influence?

MT: We have expanded into Zambia, where we now have two branches in Lusaka at East Park Mall — one dedicated to house and home, and one for our clothing line. I have grown to love Zambia dearly; the people are wonderfully warm, and they have embraced our brand wholeheartedly.

Here at home, we have three branches: Westgate, our town branch, and we are about to open our third location in Borrowdale at Meridian New Mall, just after Sam Levy. The opening is set for today, and we are thrilled to serve the Borrowdale community.

YKC: What has been the key behind your business?

MT: I wish I could offer a secret formula, but I simply stay consistent. I constantly remind myself of my worth and my desire to grow, to do better. When difficulties arise, and they always do, I turn to my faith. I go to church, I read the Bible, and I ask the Holy Spirit to guide me toward solutions. I also read widely. Challenges do not break me; they strengthen me. Mistakes are not failures; they are stepping stones. Without them, we cannot go far.

YKC: Have you received any awards in recognition of your work?

MT: Yes, by God’s grace. Just last year, I was honoured as the Outstanding Woman in the Fashion and Beauty Industry of the Year in the Diamond Category. Over the years, we have received more than ten awards celebrating excellence in fashion and entrepreneurship. Each award is a humbling reminder to keep striving and to remain grounded.

YKC: How do you connect with your market and stay true to your brand?

MT: I approach this as more than a business. I genuinely love my clients. Our relationship goes beyond transactions; I care about how they look and how they feel. That authenticity resonates. When you operate from a place of love, people recognise it.

YKC: How do you balance business and family roles?

MT: To say I manage everything perfectly would be dishonest most days; my roles manage me! I have four children, and I strive to give them and my husband quality time. But I will be honest: it is not easy. Juggling business, marriage, and motherhood is demanding. I focus on being present wherever I am, fully at home when I am home, fully at work when I am working. I extend grace to myself and rely on God to see me through.

YKC: What motivation message do you want to convey to other women?

MT: Keep pushing. The road will not be easy, but it will be worth it. Rome was not built in a day. You do not need a fortune to start; begin with what you have, and trust God to help you grow. Your small beginning is not beneath you — it is your foundation.

YKC: What plans do you have for the Marina brand?

MT: Our immediate focus is the opening of our Borrowdale branch at Meridian New Mall on March 28. We are eager to welcome that community. Beyond that, we have ambitious plans for further expansion. The vision is bold, and we are walking it step by step, trusting in divine guidance.

YKC: What advice would you give to young women aspiring to start their own businesses?

MT: Do it. Do it tired, do it uncertain, do it even when your pockets are light. It is not money that builds a business — it is vision and determination. Throw yourself into it, and never be afraid to ask questions. Seek help, learn from others, and keep moving forward.

YKC: What have been the most valuable leadership lessons you have learned?

MT: I owe so much to my mother, Prophetess Ruth Makandiwa. Her mentorship, love, and guidance have shaped the woman and the leader I am today. I am also grateful for Femme De Substance, a group at our church that she leads, which empowers women to become independent, industrious, and successful in business. Through her, I have learned that leadership is about service, humility, and never forgetting where you started.