Tumelo Seemule
Hult International Business School
“Every time I enter a room everyone stares like they have never been in the presence of a goddess.”
Fun fact about yourself: I was the first person to move abroad in my family, at the age of 14.
Hometown: Francistown, Botswana
High School: American University Preparatory School
Major: Marketing
Minor: N/A
Favorite Business Course: Brand Management
Extracurricular Activities, Community Work and Leadership Roles During College:
- Dean’s List
- Hult Global Ambassador
- Diamano Coura Dance company (Dancer)
- Board member of African Legacy Club
- Founder of Prism (LGBTQIA++) Club
- Member of the Business in Fashion Club
- Founded Galome Elevation Talks ( YouTube Talk Show)
- Awarded UN community builder award
- Global Talent Scholarship & Social Impact Scholarship
- Feed the hood (Volunteering to feed the homeless)
Where have you interned during your college career?
- Queer Womxn In Business + Allies – Social Media Manager. South Africa and San Francisco
- Fashion and Business club – San Francisco. Event Coordinator
- Gaborone Private Hospital – Botswana. Marketing and Branding
- Lush Lifestyle – Botswana. Marketing Consultant
- Brevvie: Briefly Rent Everything – Experiential marketing intern
Where will you be working after graduation? I have decided to attend graduate school in the fall to pursue a Dual Master’s Degree in Marketing and Finance at Hult International Business School. (That is how amazing this school is.)
What company do you admire most? LVMH – I absolutely love luxury products and the art of marketing luxury products. I also love a lot of the brands that they carry.
Who is your favorite professor? Mo Willian, who also happens to be the Dean of Hult San Francisco. I have never met anyone who outwardly cares about education and his students so much. Even when he is giving a lecture it’s not only enjoyable to watch but you can tell from his passion that he is teaching from the bottom of his heart, which probes you to want to give it your best. He also goes above-and-beyond to ensure that students are understanding the material, challenging themselves, and giving it their all and is dedicated to his students success.
What is the biggest lesson you gained from studying business? It has to be that “Every good idea needs a solid strategy and a plan to execute it”. Thousands of people launch businesses with nothing but passion (which is great), but it is not enough. One needs to plan accordingly and execute a plan of action in order to succeed. Applying this in actual practice, this is where a lot of African entrepreneurs fail.
What advice would you give to a student looking to major in a business-related field? Do it. The beauty about studying business is that you are able to acquire the knowledge and then create whatever it is you want and move across various industries. I was caught between going to fashion school or becoming a pharmacist or a professional dancer…but I chose business, because why limit myself? With my business degree, I will be able to work, invest or create a startup in any of these passion industries. So once again DO IT!
What has surprised you most about majoring in business? If I am to be completely honest, it was the lack of substantial data and research on doing business in the African continent. African is the next big place to invest with so many untouched markets and expansion potential.
Which academic, extracurricular or personal achievement are you most proud of? Galome Elevation Talks. I am so proud of my talk show which aims to raise the level of consciousness to connect people to ideas and stories, so they can see themselves and elevate their lives.
- We have been able to have a positive impact in the lives of people across the globe.
- I have always wanted to be on TV and radio. However, it was daunting to ever express this. G.E.T has provided me with not only personal growth, but I have been able to expand my network and apply some of the skills I have learnt in the classroom.
Which classmate do you most admire? Mariacarmen Garcia
Have you ever met a stranger who believes in you from the moment they meet you? She has always been so excited about my own future (sometimes even more than me) and just my potential and I greatly appreciate that. It has also reminded me that there are people who have faith in me and believe in the work I am doing so I cannot give up.
However, do not be deceived by her sweet persona. She is very hardworking and always full of ideas and opinions. She is also very helpful and has helped me stay on top of things over the years.
Who would you most want to thank for your success? My parents (they come as a unit) were brave enough to cave into my demands to come study in the United States at the age of 14. They put building a house, starting a business, and buying cars on hold and took out loans in order to ensure that I was able to have the opportunity to get an education. I will forever be grateful to and for them.
What are the top two items on your professional bucket list?
- Start up an African Luxury Brand (Africa to the world)
- Occupy an execute marketing position at one of the leading Luxury Companies
What are your hobbies?
- I am a professional dancer (when Covid-19 is not around)
- Deejaying (I picked it up at the start of Covid-19)
- Networking (I love getting to hear people’s life stories)
- Content Creation (Videos and inspirational content)
- Cooking (I make a new dish every week)
What made Tumelo such an invaluable addition to the Class of 2021?
“Tumelo has demonstrated to be a highly talented young man both in his studies (by being on the Dean’s List for most of his studies) as well as exhibiting strong leadership acumen and potential. He is a very active member of our student community and has served as President of our Afro-Caribbean Club, which seeks to promote greater understanding and advocacy for this group among the wider campus and SF community. He has invited several speakers from industry to share their experiences with students. Tumelo is a strong advocate for the LGBT community on campus and strives for inclusion, greater understanding and promotion of this community on campus.
He has also initiated and started his own blog on YouTube and other social media platforms aimed at raising awareness on critical issues affecting students. Guest speakers from industry are invited to be interviewed on such contemporary topics that will benefit students and society at large. Throughout his time as a student, he has been a Global Student Ambassador and been active in promoting the ideas, values, and value proposition of our institution.”
Mo Willan PhD, FCIM
Dean, Undergraduate Program
Professor of Practice
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