They say the hand that rocks the cradle often carries the weight of the world in silence. Sitting with Harriet Hala Kahuzu, you quickly realise that leadership, motherhood, and purpose are not separate compartments in her life. They flow into one another like rivers meeting at the same source. Founder of FAB L’Style Magazine, cultural advocate, entrepreneur, and mother, Harriet speaks with the kind of honesty that only comes from a woman who has carried both dreams and responsibilities on the same shoulders.
Behind the elegance of fashion editorials and global creative conversations is a woman carrying the invisible weight so many African women know too well: motherhood, migration, leadership, sacrifice, and the quiet exhaustion of constantly pouring into others while rebuilding yourself in the process. In this deeply personal conversation commemorating Mother’s Day 2026, Harriet speaks not as a distant founder or media executive, but as a woman forged by responsibility, resilience, and reinvention. From raising children while building an international platform to questioning whether the burden of leadership is worth carrying, her story unfolds like a mirror for many women navigating ambition in a world that often demands they shrink to survive.
She speaks as an African woman who has lived, lost, rebuilt, and kept walking. And as the elders say, when one woman lights her torch, she should not blow out the flame behind her. She should leave the path brighter for others to see. In many ways, that is exactly what Harriet Hala has dedicated her life to doing.
The Mothers We Become, The Daughters We Raise
FAB: It’s mother’s day. It is exciting, but beyond celebration, it forces us to examine the cost of being a woman. As a female entrepreneur and leader, what has leadership required you to unlearn while building FAB L’Style?
Harriet Hala: I would say I have had to relearn many things. I have had to understand how to combine entrepreneurship with family life and find a balance between running a business and caring for my family.
At times, this has created tension at home. The environment I work in often influences my conversations. I find myself talking about work, the people I meet, the challenges I face, and how I plan to solve them. Over time, I realised I needed to change that.
Now I make a conscious effort to separate work from family moments. When we sit together for meals, I focus on my family. I ask about their day and what they are going through. Instead of going into long explanations about work, I simply say I had a productive day and then shift the attention back to them. I want them to feel that they matter more than my work.
I have also learned to listen more. When I enter spaces with other women, I observe, ask questions, and reflect on what I hear. I try to understand different perspectives.
I grew up in a home where women were not limited. My mother, my aunties, and their friends were all working and building businesses. So I did not grow up with the mindset that certain spaces belong only to men or only to women.
Of course, there were cultural expectations about behaviour, how to sit, how to dress, and how to present yourself in certain environments. But those expectations did not limit what I believed I could achieve.
In Uganda, I have also seen that businesswomen are respected. I do not walk into a room full of men and feel intimidated. I walk in as Harriet, not as a woman trying to prove something.
FAB: In many spaces, women are told how to behave and even who to become. This also applies to fashion and lifestyle media. For FAB L’Style Magazine, how intentional have you been about allowing women to define themselves instead of following societal expectations?
Harriet Hala: I believe culture plays a big role in impacting how people see themselves. But beyond culture, the key question is who you choose to be.
Sometimes people ask, ‘How do you want others to see you?’ I find that question difficult. I do not focus on that. I want people to see me as Harriet. Interestingly, some people now refer to me as FAB instead of calling me by my name.
We live in a time where information is everywhere. There are many platforms that offer motivation, inspiration, and support. Because of this, I believe people should think deeply about what they want for themselves.
At FAB L’Style, we do not tell people what to do. We share information and create space for people to discover themselves. We make recommendations, but we do not impose rules.
We aim to inspire people to grow and empower themselves. We do not believe in telling someone what to wear or how to live. Instead, we provide guidance and allow individuals to interpret it in their own way.
Before Every Mother Was a Mother, She Was Somebody’s Daughter
FAB: You are a Black woman from Uganda who has travelled across the world. What stories about African women remain dangerously underreported despite global conversations about inclusion?
Harriet Hala: When I created FAB, I thought deeply about identity. Even the brand colours reflect my perspective. I connect strongly with the colour orange because it represents the sun, both sunrise and sunset.
As a Black woman, I am aware of stereotypes. People may assume there are places I cannot go or spaces where I do not belong. There is also the reality that Black people have been undermined in many ways. That is one of the reasons FAB L’Style exists, to challenge those perceptions.
At the same time, I accept who I am. I am Black, and that is not something I need to change. One issue I have observed is that many Black communities tend to stay within themselves instead of integrating with others. People often choose spaces where they feel comfortable among those who look like them. When they do try to integrate, they sometimes feel distant or disconnected, as if they do not fully belong. This can create a cycle where people withdraw even more.
For me, I move with a strong sense of self. It is not about waking up and declaring strength. It is about understanding who I am. My spiritual beliefs also guide me and help me navigate different environments. African and Black women are some of the most remarkable entrepreneurs in the world. They are resilient, courageous, and bold. However, many of these qualities remain unseen by the wider world.
FAB: You mentioned that some Black communities tend to stay within themselves. Do you think this is connected to a belief that representation is sometimes superficial? In your view, what does real representation look like beyond diversity optics in media and other industries?
Harriet Hala: I would not say people struggle to integrate because I cannot speak for everyone. But from my experience, I feel that we do not always show up for one another in a strong and visible way.
In Austria, for example, there is a large Nigerian community. They tend to integrate more because of their size. Other communities, such as Ugandans or Senegalese, are smaller, so they often stay close to their own groups and support one another within those circles.
You see different groups forming their own communities. Nigerians stay with Nigerians, Senegalese with Senegalese, and so on. There is some level of integration, but it is not always consistent across African communities.
When I started, I made a strong effort to find African creatives and tell their stories. I wanted them to know that I was here to support and amplify their voices. But I often felt resistance. It was like stretching a rubber band. The more you pull, the more tension you feel.
I am still trying to understand why that happens. Recently, however, I have started to see a shift. At events I attended over the past two weekends, I noticed more openness. Some women approached me, shared their work, and engaged in meaningful conversations.
When I speak, I do not speak only for Austria or Africa. I speak for a shared experience. I want people to feel inspired, to build connections, and to create bridges across cultures. We already share a common language in many of these spaces. That should make it easier for us to connect, support one another, and build something meaningful together.
FAB: Still on Mother’s Day, and womanhood, women founders are often expected to lead with empathy while delivering results. Have you ever felt penalised for being either too soft or too decisive?
Harriet Hala: Yes, I think I experience that expectation often. People expect women to lead with empathy. At the same time, that expectation is also what sets women apart. It is part of who we are.
I believe women are natural carers, whether or not they have children. That quality shows in how we lead and how we build. But it can also be misunderstood. When a woman is less empathetic, people say she behaves like a man. When she is empathetic, they may not take her seriously. Some even see empathy as a weakness.
I find that unfair. There are empathetic men, yet no one questions them in the same way. The issue lies in perception and communication.
A woman will lead in her own way, and people need to recognise that. At the same time, if you want to succeed in business, you must learn how to communicate clearly and confidently. You need to express your ideas in a way that reflects both strength and direction.
The pace of the world today is very fast. You need to think quickly, speak clearly, and present yourself with confidence. Sometimes it feels like constant competition, and that can be exhausting.
I have also noticed that when a man presents, people may overlook several mistakes. But when a woman presents, expectations are much higher. She is expected to be precise, confident, and flawless.
FAB: I am aware of FAB L’Style Magazine’s work in spotlighting female creatives in Nigeria, including your partnership with the Female Artists Association of Nigeria. What structural barriers still quietly influence which women succeed in the creative industries?
Harriet Hala: There are still many barriers. If I look at this from a broader African perspective, one key challenge is perception.
FAB L’Style is based in Austria and founded by a Black woman, yet many creatives on the continent do not immediately see its value. There is a tendency to place more trust in established international publications.
People often believe that being featured in those platforms brings more recognition because those brands have existed for a long time. As a result, they overlook emerging platforms, even when those platforms are created to amplify their stories.
That said, there are also many creatives who appreciate what we do. After we feature them, they express gratitude and recognise the value of the exposure.
However, building trust takes time. Interestingly, we receive more responses from Western audiences than from Africa. The engagement from Africa is growing, but slowly.
FAB: If you could redesign the ecosystem for African female creatives today, what would you fix first?
Harriet Hala: I would start with education and mindset. We need more platforms that not only empower creatives but also teach collaboration and shared value. We need to understand one another better and learn how to work together as Africans.
Too often, we look outward for validation instead of building within. Africa is rich in culture, talent, and creativity, yet we sometimes overlook what we already have.
If I could redesign the system, I would begin with a reset. I would create a structure that encourages people to look inward, to recognise each other, and to support one another.
We need to highlight what Africa is producing today, not just in terms of natural resources but also in creativity, innovation, and ideas. From there, we can build a strong ecosystem that supports growth across different creative fields.
FAB: People often see the leader, the founder, and the decision-maker behind FAB L’Style. But who is Harriet when the workday ends?
Harriet Hala: To be honest, I am often very tired. It is not just physical. It is mental as well. At the same time, I feel a strong inner drive because I love what I do and I believe in the impact it creates. When the work ends, I become very simple. I think about what to cook for my family. I look forward to reading when I have the time. I enjoy quiet moments. I am just Harriet.
Someone recently asked me to write an interview about myself. I told them to write it instead. I find it easier to speak about others, to highlight their work, and to empower them. When it comes to me, I struggle to put it into words. It is not that I do not know who I am. I simply see myself as Harriet.
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She Was Once the Daughter Too: Harriet Hala on Motherhood and Memory
FAB: When you look back at your younger self, what would surprise her most about the woman you have become?
Harriet Hala: My daughter asked me a similar question recently. She is about to turn 21, and she wanted to know what I would change if I could go back to that age.
I told her not to rush life. There is so much ahead, and once time passes, you cannot go back. You should carry your past with understanding, but focus your energy on what lies ahead.
For me, I grew up very quickly. I had many responsibilities at a young age. Looking back, I see how those experiences impacted who I am today.
I was a happy and energetic child. I loved playing and exploring. I climbed trees and played games with boys because I found them exciting. At the same time, I played with dolls and created little worlds for them. I was often given responsibilities because I handled them well. I helped at home, prepared for guests, and ran errands quickly so I could return to playing.
I also had a strong instinct to help others. If someone struggled, I stepped in. That became part of who I am. But in some ways, it also took away from my childhood. It placed me in a role of responsibility very early.
Later in life, I realised that always helping others can be misunderstood. Some people think you expect something in return, even when you do not. I have also found myself saying yes too often, taking on too much, and becoming exhausted.
My childhood was impacted by many challenges, including instability and change. Moving to a new country and starting again was not easy. Life shifted completely. At one point, everything familiar disappeared, and we had to rebuild from nothing. As a child, I did not fully understand what my mother was going through. Now I do.
Recently, I revisited something I wrote about my childhood. It brought back many memories, but it also gave me clarity. Despite everything, I carry joy. I have learned to live with an open heart.
Whether I sit on the floor peeling bananas or dine in an elegant restaurant, I remain the same person. I embrace life fully and hold on to the belief that there is goodness in every experience.
FAB: Building something meaningful often comes with sacrifice. For you, building FAB L’Style, what has leadership quietly cost you?
Harriet Hala: It has not cost me. It has taken me into a different space where I can bring out my excellence by choosing to learn every day. Some lessons are very hard. I step back, reflect, and ask myself, ‘Why did this happen?’ What am I putting into this?
People often talk about sacrifice. They say, ‘I sacrificed this’ or ‘I gave up that.’ Sometimes I say the same. I have given up dancing and some hobbies to focus my energy on FAB L’Style. But when I think about real sacrifice, I believe I have given up parts of my inner self to be where I am today. I have done that to live with purpose and to create impact with purpose. That is how I see it.
FAB: Hanifa is a brand doing incredibly well, yet its founder still questioned whether it was all worth it. Was there ever a moment when you questioned whether the responsibility you carry is worth it?
Harriet Hala: Many times. There are moments when it hits me deeply. I find myself asking, is this worth it? Should I stop? Should I walk away?
But then something rises from within. There is a fire in my heart that reminds me it is worth it. Often, within minutes or hours, something happens. I receive a message from someone who felt inspired by an article. Someone reaches out and says they have been thinking about me and want to collaborate. Or I meet someone who encourages me to keep going.
In those moments, everything shifts. I feel lighter. My steps feel easier. So yes, I have questioned it many times. Sometimes the feeling is very strong. But when I lift my head and look around, I know it is worth it.
FAB: Which woman in your life influenced you the most, and what did she teach you about strength?
Harriet Hala: My mother. For a long time, I searched for a role model. In certain spaces, people ask that question, and I would mention names like Oprah Winfrey. But deep down, I did not feel connected to those answers.
When I reflect, my thoughts always return to my mother. She showed resilience in a quiet way. It was not loud or visible. It was gentle, like a soft wind. Whenever I feel like giving up, that quiet strength returns to me. I see her. I feel her presence. It straightens my spine. It reminds me to keep going. My mother is my true source of strength.
FAB: If International Women’s Day in ten years were to celebrate one change you helped make possible through FAB L’Style, what would you want that headline to read?
Harriet Hala: Resilience is a virtue for all women.
FAB: The world keeps changing. If you could leave one emotional message to the next generation of women watching your journey, what would you want them to know?
Harriet Hala: There are many things I would like to say, but one stands out. When you are given a ladder and you climb to the top, do not pull it up behind you. Leave it there so other women can climb too.
I often see women rise and then push others down. They dismiss or disrespect other women. This also happens with men who want to hold on to power. Instead, extend your hand. Lift others as you rise. I will reflect more on this question because I carry many messages like this.