The World Was Waiting

Making an impact in the lives of others seems to come naturally to Bernadette Rigney. With an infectious laugh, an unmistakable zest for life and an outlook that finds possibility where others might see limitations, she has always had a wonderful way of connecting with people.

Born with a rare physical condition called Arthrogryposis, which affects muscle development and restricts movement in her arms and legs, Bernadette’s journey has been shaped by determination, opportunity and a willingness to embrace life.

Her school years began at Dominican Convent in Johannesburg, a place she remembers with great affection. She loved her school, but as she progressed to Standard One, her classrooms were situated upstairs. With mobility becoming increasingly difficult, her parents were faced with an incredibly difficult decision. Reluctantly, they made the choice to send her to Cape Town, where a more suitable schooling environment could accommodate her needs.

It was a significant change for a young girl, but Astra School in Cape Town soon became the setting for some wonderful childhood memories.

Bernadette discovered an early love for the performing arts and found herself participating in various school concerts and productions. Among the highlights was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which enjoyed a run at Cape Town’s iconic Baxter Theatre. Being part of the production, together with founding a school newspaper in collaboration with fellow students from three schools, introduced her to the excitement of the entertainment and media industries at a young age. More importantly, these experiences helped nurture her confidence, creativity and comfort in her own skin.

Life, however, also brought its share of heartbreak. In 1992, Bernadette’s father tragically passed away in an accident. His loss was a defining moment for the family. Watching her mother navigate life while raising three children instilled in Bernadette a deep appreciation for strength, determination and responsibility. Her mother’s example would go on to shape her own character, nurturing the leadership qualities, independence and resilience that would become such an important part of who she is.

Despite the changes and challenges along the way, Bernadette continued to embrace new experiences. She returned to Johannesburg in 1995 and matriculated at Hope School, at just seventeen in 1997.

Her curiosity about the world soon took her further afield. In 1999, she travelled to the United States, where she lived and worked in North Carolina for a year. It was an exciting opportunity to experience a different culture, broaden her horizons and discover life beyond familiar surroundings. She also enjoyed spending time in Miami and later travelled to Paris, adding a little international sparkle to her growing collection of life experiences.

In 2000, Bernadette returned to Johannesburg, bringing with her a broader perspective, treasured memories and an even greater appreciation for the opportunities that life has to offer.

For Bernadette, the world was never meant to be explored from the sidelines. Whether on stage, across continents or in the everyday moments that shape a life, she was already discovering that there was so much more to experience.

More importantly, her work gave her a deeper appreciation of the role that inclusive planning plays in shaping cities and creating environments that respond to the diverse needs of their residents, including people with different types of disabilities.

Recognising the importance of representation and transformation, Bernadette was nominated as the Transformation and Disability Awareness Representative in 2008. Working alongside the Group Human Capital Management (GHCM) Department, she contributed to initiatives aimed at advancing the rights, representation and employment opportunities of persons with disabilities.

Her professional journey also began extending beyond her immediate workplace. In 2011, Bernadette started speaking at high-profile government events and corporate seminars, sharing her experiences and contributing to conversations around disability awareness, transformation and inclusion.

Her contributions did not go unnoticed. Between 2006 and 2014, she received annual recognition and awards for her work, including contributions to data clean-up initiatives, youth development programmes and building accessibility measures.

In 2014, her commitment to service excellence was further recognised when she was featured in the City of Johannesburg’s magazine.

What started as a temporary data-capturing opportunity had evolved into a rewarding career spanning urban development, transformation, public service and advocacy. It was also the beginning of Bernadette discovering the power of combining professional expertise with personal experience to influence meaningful change.

Starting Fability

Fability was founded in 2014 by Bernadette Rigney, following a bold decision to transition from a career in government into entrepreneurship. What began as a personal leap of faith soon developed into a purposeful business journey, driven by a vision to challenge outdated perceptions, modernise the disability sector and create opportunities for more inclusive and meaningful representation.

At its heart, Fability is a creative and strategic platform that brings ideas to life through marketing, communications, events, partnerships and inclusive content. Built on the belief that visibility matters, the brand recognises the power of authentic storytelling to shift mindsets, open doors and create meaningful impact.

With more than two decades of experience across corporate, government and international environments, including the United States and the cosmetics industry, Bernadette brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective to her work. Her approach combines strategic thinking, creativity, innovation and a genuine understanding of people, brands and positioning.

Over the years, Fability has evolved through collaborations with an exciting network of partners, organisations and stakeholders across business, government, media and the non-profit sector. These relationships have created opportunities to deliver vibrant events, impactful campaigns, strategic communications and experiences that bring people and brands together.

Today, Bernadette also works as an independent consultant, providing professional support to organisations, while continuing to develop Fability’s own portfolio of clients, collaborations and business opportunities.

The business is entering an exciting new era, expanding its services into advertising and media partnerships, while growing its consumer offering through the Fability Online Shop. With lifestyle products spanning fragrance and jewelry, the retail arm introduces another dimension to the brand, bringing together personal style, creativity and the philosophy of living life fabulously.

Beyond business, Bernadette remains passionate about disability inclusion, using her professional experience and personal perspective to spark meaningful conversations, influence change and encourage more representative storytelling. As a contributor to leading publications and a respected voice in her field, she continues to advocate for greater visibility and opportunity.

Her entrepreneurial journey has also received recognition. In 2017, Bernadette was honoured with the Tributes Excellence Award in the Entrepreneur category. In 2018, her profile and professional journey received international recognition through inclusion in Forbes No. 1 Executive Search Firm’s book, Lose the Resume, Land the Job, featuring proven career advice from The New York Times.

From its beginnings in 2014 to its expanding presence across consulting, marketing, advertising, events and lifestyle retail, Fability continues to grow with purpose and ambition.

Fability is more than a business, it is a reflection of a vision: to create beautifully, think differently, build meaningful connections and, above all, live life fabulously.

Launching The Fability Shop

Bernadette’s journey began in the world of cosmetics, where her love for beauty first took root. Though an unexpected opportunity in government shaped her professional path for years, her passion for the beauty industry never faded. In 2020, with courage and a vision in hand, she returned to her roots, reigniting her dream and launched the Fability Fragrance Range.

Today, the Fability Shop reflects her unwavering belief that beauty is more than skin deep, it’s a celebration of self-expression, resilience, and reinvention.