15X chess champion, part-time comedian, and self-proclaimed full-time ICON, Elsa Majimbo, spoke with Tania Habimana, Anchor of CNBC Africa, at the Forbes Under 30 Summit in Africa.
At just 20 years, Elsa has appeared on the cover of Teen Vogue, partnered with Fenty, become an ambassador for MAC cosmetics, released a book with Valentino, launched an NFT project, won a People’s Choice Award, and so much more.
Here are 10 key points from Tania’s conversation with Elsa;
On self-belief and dropping out of school.
“When I went viral, the first thing I did was send an email and quit,” Elsa says about dropping out of college. She expresses how she didn’t like school and how much of a relief it was to be able to do that. Tania asks Elsa where she gets the boldness and confidence that she would succeed, and Elsa says, “I think I just believed in myself and I believed that I would succeed.” She accepts that it was a little delusional but that it felt right in the moment.
On staying humble and grounded.
“Every single time I go back home my mum and dad they’ll be like, ‘Oh yeah, today it’s your turn to wash the dishes.’ Do you know when you look at someone and you’re like ‘do you know who I am?’ But it’s good. They keep you grounded, they keep you humble and they’re such a blessing.” Elsa says.
“They’re always there. I always see my family. I don’t go more than a few weeks without seeing my family. We always see each other and we always stay because we know the importance of holding Majimbo’s together,” Elsa says in response to Tania’s question: Do you still get to see your family often? At a later point in the interview, Elsa brings up her family again. She says they’re how she stays grounded even as she ascends and grows her career and influence. She says, “they humble me every single day.”
On understanding the value of the dollar.
Elsa talks about how she doesn’t like taking an Uber during rush hour and she’d rather stay at home and wait for the prices to go down. She could easily take an Uber at the increased prices but I think she understands the value of a dollar. She knows just because she’s making lots of money now doesn’t mean she has to spend it anyhow.
On envisioning her success.
Tania asks, “Looking at your life now, is this something that you ever imagined for yourself, looking at who you were as a little girl?” “Growing up I always knew I would be iconic,” Elsa says. She talks about not knowing exactly how it would happen, but that she knew it’d be done.
On intentionality and authenticity.
Tania talks about how despite being in so many glamorous spaces and meeting so many big people that Elsa’s videos have kept a certain unpolished and authentic theme. She goes ahead to ask Elsa if that was intentional. “Yes. I just like being chilled. I like chilled vibes. I’ve missed a lot of things because I wanted to watch Netflix. I don’t want to put out a new life and pretend like this has always been me,” Elsa says.
On advising younger Elsa.
“Looking at where you are right now, what would be the advice that you would give to a younger Elsa?” Tania asks. “What you’re doing is okay. Follow your instinct as you always have and always work harder,” Elsa replies. She talks about how she doesn’t allow herself to get comfortable, and how there’s always more to accomplish. She highlights wanting to be a role model for young black girls.
On constantly putting out new and relevant content.
“How do you keep your creativity going? How do you make sure that you keep on pushing new content, that it stays funny, that it stays relevant?” Tania asks. “I’m just myself. I don’t know how I do. It’s because, for me, it’s from within” Elsa says. She talks about how she’s grateful that people like her content, but that as long as she finds her video funny she considers it the most hilarious thing on the planet.
On chasing that bag.
Tania asks Elsa what her advice to people in the room was and she said, “Chase that bag until it starts chasing you.” On the surface, this might seem like a simple statement but when you look closer you realize that’s because it is a simple statement. At first, you will have to hustle and sacrifice (chase that bag), but it’ll get to a point where the hard work’s been done and you allow the bag to chase you. You attract the bag.
On uplifting people.
Elsa talks about all the different people who have helped her in getting to where she currently is. She name drops Lupita Nyong’o, Usain Bolt, and Rihanna, amongst others. She says she believes in uplifting people as she has been uplifted.
Watch the full interview below.