We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sihle Vilakazi. Check out our conversation below.
Sihle , really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Moments That Made Me Feel Proud and Happy
Honestly, some of the moments that have made me feel incredibly proud and happy have been partnering with amazing businesses that support international students. I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with Promote Music, an incredible platform that helps music artists track their performance and growth across Spotify and other streaming platforms.
I also partnered with Fractals, a management company with both national and international reach, and I’m currently collaborating with Crewy, to create opportunities for international film students to gain hands-on experience and exposure in the industry.
Beyond that, I’ve secured a partnership with an amazing magazine dedicated to giving students a creative publishing outlet — a place where they can showcase their work, gain media coverage, and even build their portfolios for future O-1 applications.
These collaborations make me genuinely proud because they’re all about building meaningful pathways for international students to thrive. And honestly, some of my happiest and funniest moments have come from putting my best foot forward through this journey — moments filled with laughter, joy, and even tears of gratitude as I watch it all come together.
It truly is an honor to be creating something that makes a difference.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi everyone! I’m Sihle “Zee Viilakazi, a licensed immigration consultant recognized by the Secretary of State of California. My passion is helping international students and creatives navigate the U.S., guiding them through legal pathways, career-building, and personal growth.
I’ve recently launched my business, Behind The Sound 101 (BTS 101), where I empower international students to build their O-1 visa portfolios, gain mentorship, secure internships, and expand their professional networks. My mission is to bridge the knowledge and resource gap that often forces talented individuals to leave the U.S. due to visa challenges, budget constraints, or lack of guidance.
Many students don’t realize early enough how to structure their creative work and accomplishments to qualify for the O-1 visa. BTS 101 provides a complete support system — from helping students start their portfolios even before arriving in the U.S., to securing media coverage, credits, and letters of recommendation once they’re here. My goal is to ensure every talented creative has a chance to stay, grow, and thrive in the U.S.
Behind The Sound 101: Core Program Pillars
Portfolio Building
• Creative studio access (photo, video, design)
• Student-led projects with credits
• Shadowing opportunities with industry professionals
Visa Preparation Support
• Legal panels + Q&A with immigration attorneys
• O-1 portfolio prep workshops
• Letter of recommendation guidance
Networking & Panels
• Monthly creative networking events
• Panels with artists on O-1, EB-1, and OPT → O-1 transitions
• Storytelling showcases for student work
Mentorship + Shadowing
• Partner with professionals open to student shadows
• Collaborations with small brands + studios
• Trackable hours for recommendation letters
Life Infrastructure (Add-Ons)
• Credit building + tax workshops for creatives
• How to pitch yourself professionally
• Studio access hours for content building
Affordable Monthly Memberships make this accessible to as many students as possible.
I’m incredibly excited to share this journey and support international creatives in building the careers and lives they dream of. If you’re a student or creative looking to grow, BTS 101 is here to guide, mentor, and open doors for you.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
What has served its purpose and must now be released is my business, BTS 101. I’ve poured the last three years into building it — countless sleepless nights, research, and figuring out how to bridge the gap for international students and creatives. I’ve spent time finding the right partners, connecting with businesses, and creating systems that could truly make a difference.
After three years of building, researching, and dreaming, it’s finally time to release what has served its purpose — BTS 101.
This business was born from sleepless nights, deep purpose, and a fierce desire to help international students find their place, build their portfolios, and stay in the country they’ve worked so hard to call home.
I’ve spent years connecting with the right people, crafting systems, and partnering with brands that believe in the same mission — to bridge the gap for international creatives who deserve a real chance.
But now, it’s time to let it go and let it grow.
BTS 101 is no longer just my project — it’s a movement. A space of safety, knowledge, and empowerment where international students can build, dream, and thrive.
I’ve done the groundwork. The purpose has been served. And now, I release it — with gratitude, love, and so much hope — to impact lives far beyond my reach.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
What suffering taught me — something success never could — is the power of patience.
When we’re in moments of worry, distress, or despair, it often feels like there’s so much noise. The noise doesn’t stop; it surrounds you, and it can make you feel lost. But within that noise, within that silence that only pain can bring, there is a lesson — a lesson that success rarely teaches: the art of being still and patient.
Patience isn’t easy. It’s not something you wake up knowing how to do — it’s something you become through endurance. During times of suffering, you meet yourself in ways you never could when everything is going right. You start to see your resilience, your strength, and your quiet courage. You realize that even when it feels like you have no one, you have you. You have God, and you have yourself — and that’s enough.
Suffering has taught me that patience is not about waiting for things to happen; it’s about trusting God’s timing — trusting that His puzzle will make sense when it’s complete. In a world of instant gratification, where we want success to come fast and easy, suffering teaches us to slow down, to build, to learn, and to grow in the process.
Because while you’re being patient, you’re not standing still — you’re becoming. You’re gaining knowledge, skills, wisdom, and self-awareness. The waiting isn’t wasted. The pain isn’t pointless. It’s refining you.
And sometimes, in the middle of suffering, someone appears unexpectedly — a friend, a stranger, a guide. That’s not coincidence; that’s God reminding you that you are never alone. The universe has a way of showing up, especially when you feel unseen.
So what suffering taught me that success never could is this:
Even when everything feels uncertain, you are held.
Even when you feel alone, you are becoming.
And even when nothing seems to make sense, patience is working quietly in your favor.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
The value I protect at all costs is the act of service. It’s more than just something I do — it’s who I am, and it’s the heartbeat behind everything I create, especially with BTS 101.
Being of service has always been deeply rooted in my upbringing and culture as a South African. My mother, who is a pediatrician and owns her own clinics, has always modeled what it means to give selflessly — to share knowledge, provide care, and uplift others with compassion. Watching her serve others with such purpose and love instilled that same calling in me.
For me, service isn’t a duty — it’s a natural expression of who I am. It feels right to help, to guide, to support. That’s why creating Behind The Sound 101 means so much to me. It’s not just a business — it’s a community built on the foundation of service. It’s a space where international students and creatives from all over the world can find direction, mentorship, and the tools they need to build their dreams.
I believe that when you serve others, you create a ripple effect — one act of service inspires another. Through BTS 101, my hope is to continue building a network of service, empowerment, and opportunity — where one person’s growth helps lift many more.
Service is not just a cultural value; it’s my legacy. It’s something I will forever protect, practice, and pass on — because through service, we don’t just build businesses or careers; we build humanity, one act of kindness at a time.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The value I protect at all costs is the act of service. It’s more than just something I do — it’s who I am, and it’s the heartbeat behind everything I create, especially with BTS 101.
Being of service has always been deeply rooted in my upbringing and culture as a South African. My mother, who is a pediatrician and owns her own clinics, has always modeled what it means to give selflessly — to share knowledge, provide care, and uplift others with compassion. Watching her serve others with such purpose and love instilled that same calling in me.
For me, service isn’t a duty — it’s a natural expression of who I am. It feels right to help, to guide, to support. That’s why creating Behind The Sound 101 means so much to me. It’s not just a business — it’s a community built on the foundation of service. It’s a space where international students and creatives from all over the world can find direction, mentorship, and the tools they need to build their dreams.
I believe that when you serve others, you create a ripple effect — one act of service inspires another. Through BTS 101, my hope is to continue building a network of service, empowerment, and opportunity — where one person’s growth helps lift many more.
Service is not just a cultural value; it’s my legacy. It’s something I will forever protect, practice, and pass on — because through service, we don’t just build businesses or careers; we build humanity, one act of kindness at a time.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @behindthesound101
- Other: Email: [email protected]
Image Credits
Phantom Visual
