Jacqui Rogers on a fake strap-on tummy, burnout, and being a top innovator

A serial entrepreneur talks about the unusual reason for her involvement in the pregnancy industry, the time when her body shut down, and being singled out by the World Health Organisation for her mobile app, My Pregnancy Journey.

1 You’ve been a serial entrepreneur in the pregnancy industry for a good couple of years. Where did it all start?

I started my first business when I fell pregnant with my daughter. Always being a bit of a fashionista, I just couldn’t satisfy my fashion needs during my pregnancy. I did some research and realised there weren’t many pregnancy clothing brands out there catering for the stylish mom to be. I paid R200 for a second-hand sewing machine and took sewing lessons for a year and completed a pattern design course, which took another year.

I looked for clothing manufacturers and started my first clothing line with 7 styles. I was wondering how to introduce this brand to the public – at the time we didn’t have social media, like we do today. I found maternity boutiques close to me, but I wouldn’t phone them because they could easily say no. So I bought a fake strap-on tummy and would arrive at the boutiques, doing fashion shows for them with my clothing range. Some agreed to consignment, and so my first sales started.

My garments eventually featured in more than 60 magazine articles, I introduced my business to Richard Branson, sold 16 000 garments to a big retailer, and won a competition with Standard Bank. During my entrepreneurial journey I was always looking for other opportunities and gaps in the market, until one day I came across shocking statistics regarding pregnancies in Africa. I learnt that the African continent has some of the highest numbers of adolescent pregnancies, HIV infections and birth deaths – and that one out of four women experience a fatal pregnancy outcome. I strongly felt this type of outcome can prevented. I sold my first business and embarked on my journey with my current project, an educational pregnancy app that focuses on the unique challenges that African women and girls face.

2 Tell us more about your daughter.

My daughter Saskia is 17 years old and currently doing her matric. She is my whole world and my inspiration for everything I do. I’ve been a single mom and even though things didn’t work out between myself and her dad, we have been amazing co-parents. We always put her first and because of this we have raised a very dynamic, intelligent and hardworking young lady. She plans on going to university and studying law. It is going to be such an exiting time for her, and I can’t believe that my little baby grew up so quickly. It has been an amazing journey with her so far.

3 What do the two of you like to do together?

We like just hanging out with each other, cooking, chatting, watching movies together. Just being in each other’s company and spending time together. We go spinning together and we also go for walks, visit family, and now and again we treat ourselves at a restaurant.

Here Jacqui talks about the conception, birth and growth of her app. Her passion shines through!

4 You like to keep fit, although you’ve experienced burnout, which has affected – amongst other things - your exercising.

Yes, I definitely function way better when I am exercising, I have always been fit and took part in athletics and netball in school. Being active is just who I am. But last year I experienced burnout after some stressful events over the years. Being an entrepreneur is not always easy and not for the faint-hearted. It all caught up with me and my body just shut down physically, mentally, and emotionally, I didn’t know what was happening to me, it almost felt like a nervous breakdown.

5 You are passionate about hiking …

I love going for walks and runs in nature (when I am fit). I also do enjoy a good spinning class and any exercise that makes me sweat it all out.

Jacqui and fellow entrepreneurs in Finland

6 The development of your mobile app, My Pregnancy Journey, has unexpectedly allowed you to travel, including taking you to Finland.

Oh, I love travelling so much! Yes, I was part of a pitching competition and was selected, along with 11 other African tech entrepreneurs, to visit Finland. It was an amazing experience. We attended first-world workshops offered by various big tech companies based in Finland.

7 You’ve also recently visited Cape Verde …

I was nominated by the World Health Organization as one of Africa’s top 30 innovators and they sent the 30 of us to Cape Verde for the WHO second health summit. Due to all these trips I meet the most amazing people and other entrepreneurs. We got to meet the president of Cape Verde and we had lots of fun, none of us knew each other but we got along so well and we still chat with each other on our WhatsApp group.

8 And what is your next destination?

In March I will be going to Tanzania with three other entrepreneurs. Currently we are part of an acceleration program held by Mlab and the Technology Innovation Agency based in Pretoria. This is such an amazing organization to be part of; they have giving us funding for our projects with focused business mentoring and training. They have really helped us take our businesses to the next level.

9 As a fashionista, what do you bear in mind when choosing an outfit?

I must say when I was younger, I used to dress up more. I’d say that I like to mix my look up with some femininity and a bit of masculinity. I also go for more timeless pieces and not necessarily for what is fashionable, but garments in a classic style that will last for years. During lockdown we were all forced to tone things down, including dressing up, so these days I wear more comfortable things but add a statement belt and handbag or something that makes it a bit edgy.

10 What do you wish for yourself, for your daughter, and for the world?

I dream big - I want to be a successful entrepreneur with equal success in making a societal impact. This is very important to me. For my daughter, I know that she is going to go places and make a difference; she is so empathic and very passionate about human rights and I am sure with her law degree she will be able to fulfill that passion. My passion is women’s health, empowerment and supporting them or giving them the tools for a better life.

Another memory of Finland

About Jacqui

Jacqie Rogers is the founder of My Pregnancy Journey, the first comprehensive, interactive pregnancy app from and focused on the African continent. She is based in Pretoria East.

Awards (as in February 2022):

Nominated as one of the World Health Organisation’s Top 30 Innovators from Africa

Winner of two MTN App of the Year Awards

Winner of the Huawei Global App Competition – Best app and Social Impact app winner for Middle East and Africa region

Winner of the KIT International Challenge (Birthing Kit Foundation, Australië)

Website: www.mypregnancyjourney.co.za

Email: hello@mypregnancyjourney.co.za

Facebook: @MyPregnancyJourneyApp

Instagram: mypregnancyjourneyapp

Twitter: @PregnancyJour

Thumbnail image: Unsplash.

Personal photographs: supplied.