Zanta du Plessis: Changing The World Beauty Stage - Building An Impactful Beauty & Skincare Empire

Isabella Garcia is on a mission: to provide women and men with everything they need to be their best and most beautiful. This vision drives Isabella Garcia International; a beauty and skincare company built upon a daring concept that has become a household name in South Africa.

Behind the brand is Zanta du Plessis, whose professional path from an aspiring employee at an insurance company in Johannesburg to CEO of Isabella Garcia International is a masterclass in determination and a tribute to mentorship.

As a leader, Zanta takes on the role of envisioning and guiding strategy, leading the executive team, driving growth, and simultaneously fuelling a culture of excellence, all while being a dedicated mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, colleague and business shareholder.

In an exclusive interview with Global Woman Leader, she reflects with gratitude and pride that every product and every delivery is made and sent with love and a steadfast commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of the people they serve.

How did your journey lead to founding Isabella Garcia?

As a child, I dreamt of becoming a newsreader, and today, sharing my story, feels like that dream fulfilled. I grew up in Johannesburg, studied Business Communications at NWU, and began my career in 2003 at a female cancer insurance company. My first mentor, the CEO of that company, taught me everything I know about business.

I later moved into a Research and Development role focused on improving sales rates and client retention, eventually becoming General Manager with this portfolio. During 2008, this CEO asked me what I wanted to do with my life. My answer was: “Run a company, obviously not yours”.

Fast forward a year or so, and Isabella Garcia was born in 2010 after a destined meeting with my second mentor. She taught me everything I needed to learn about presentation, storytelling and formulations.

At Isabella Garcia, protecting our clients’ confidence, beauty and budgets remains our top priority and top of mind. By making things simpler, offering personalised guidance, and being a beauty discoverer and curator for our clients, we create a unique beauty journey. We differentiate ourselves through personalised solutions, affordable payment plans and delightful surprises for our clients.

I never expect from my team what I don’t expect from myself. I hold myself to the same standards I ask of them, because being the ultimate example is essential to guiding the culture at Isabella Garcia

As CEO, what are your main responsibilities and guiding beliefs as an entrepreneur?

First and foremost, my role is to ensure that we keep moving forward. I focus on defining the company’s strategy and direction, which usually comes down to identifying the three most important goals we aim to achieve each year.

Secondly, I form part of the executive team that makes sure that all employees operate in accordance with our mission and values and at the level of excellence that we have set for ourselves. I believe our executive and management team influence directly through example and I never expect from others what I don’t expect from myself.

In addition, we have spent over 15 years perfecting 113 product masterpieces, each representing a work of art, with both immediate effect and long-term benefits.

What challenges do you face currently as a CEO? How do you balance work and personal life?

The economic landscape in South Africa is both challenging and unique, making it crucial for us to update our data and assumptions monthly and manage them closely. Even as a beauty and skincare brand, systems remain a key focus area. We’re preparing for a major system deployment, so having the right mix of resources to manage it responsibly is crucial for us.

Competition is intense, with countless products available to consumers, but I focus on delivering our absolute best and ensuring that we are proud of it!

On the personal side of things, the fact that I am a female leader implies that I have to deal with every situation in my own unique way. Discipline is vital: managing my time strictly, spending focused time at work and at home, exercising, eating healthly, getting enough sleep, and ensuring I surround myself with inspiring individuals and books.

As the saying goes: you become like the five people you spend the most time with. Keeping that equilibrium is possible, and I am grateful to be able to thrive at work and at home.

How do you see the beauty and skincare industry evolving in the years to come?

In my opinion, the personalisation of beauty and skincare will grow beyond expectations. Nature-inspired trends will continue to gain traction, though perhaps not as quickly as some predict. The only certainty is that consumers will have more choices than ever, and brands will have to find new and creative ways to build a loyal client base.

The influence of social media is profound. On the one hand, it requires companies to create products with instant results; on the other, it has levelled the marketing playing field. Smaller brands, in particular, are now able to compete with big names in ways that were once unimaginable.

Looking back at your journey, what have been your most meaningful milestones?

When asked about my biggest milestone, I’d say paying off our loan was truly significant. It may sound simple, but it was monumental for me. It was commemorated with a special gift from my majority shareholder, a hand-bound Jay Abraham book from England.

Inside was a letter reflecting on our journey. If my house ever burned down, that book would be the first thing I’d save. It’s priceless, a reminder of my journey from a 22-year-old starting out to where I am today.

This year, we celebrate our 15th anniversary. I must say, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to do what I was born to do, and I will always cherish that beauty chose me, and for our dedicated team at Isabella Garcia. This is absolutely not a one-woman show!

Although we are deeply rooted in South Africa, we are preparing to expand globally, with several exciting projects planned for 2026. My evolution as a leader has been about making a difference, serving our clients, driving progress and always offering my best.

Zanta du Plessis, CEO and Founder of Isabella Garcia International

Zanta du Plessis is the CEO and Founder of Isabella Garcia International and has more than 20 years of experience in skincare, beauty and entrepreneurship. She began her career in 2003 at a female cancer insurance company in Johannesburg, where she learned the importance of data, testing and strategic risk management from her first mentor.