What inspired your entrepreneurial journey?
I started my journey in a career I didn’t love, and luckily realized and made changes to better suit my personality. Business is my love, and I cut my teeth in corporate retail but I always expected more of myself and knew I wanted to be my own boss.What does success mean for you personally?The perfect balance of a happy family environment and achievement in business is the ultimate goal. My sons are now 13 and 11 years old, and at an age and stage where they want to understand what and why I do what I do, and work so hard. I feel immense joy to share my stories of hard work, achievement and success. Watching them start to understand and appreciate the value of hard work and determination, and the rewards that accompany it is amazing.
What qualities can make or break an entrepreneur and why?
As a woman in business, I believe the battle is always more demanding to maintain a happy home, balance family time and succeed in business. I believe that a woman always carries additional responsibilities, and the constant juggling is hard.
As an Momtrepreneur, one needs to be resilient, positive and enthusiastic. You are always only as good as your last trading day in business …..and planning the next supper for the family!
If you had a crystal ball where would you like to see your business in the next year?
Slimsuit Distributors – my Distribution business that I started in 2010, when my boys were 4 and 2 years old, that I now run with my amazing husband Richard, has just acquired two new ladies brands for the 2020 season. We’ve introduced luggage and three Menswear brands to our Distribution offering. We represent 12 international brands in SA, and have 160 retail customers in Southern Africa who buy and support our brands. Sea Weeds – our retail offering now has three outlets in Cape Town- in Constantia Village, Sea Point and Franschhoek. We are actively looking at opportunities to expand so watch this space.
What mantra do you try to live your life by?
“Nothing splendid has ever been achieved except by those who dared believe that something inside of them was superior to circumstance” Bruce Barton
What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from Covid and have there been any silver linings.
It’s been an incredibly difficult and unexpected time. The first month left me shell shocked- and I have never had so much free time which was hard. I decided to focus on positive avenues and truly believe this too shall pass. One can only look forward, and be positive. I saw an amazing quote on social media recently: “If you can run a business on Level 3 lockdown with Level 2 load shedding, you can make it anywhere in the world.”
