The Nic Carroll 2021 Collection Tracy Harker Founder of Funky Pants As long as we are having a fun lifestyle with lots of memories and being happy as a family, that’s all we really want Tracy Harker

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< Back Tarryn Tait

Up Home Up Dr Lungile Mhlongo DR LUNGILE MHLONGO (commonly known as Dr Lu) holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) as well a diploma in aesthetic medicine. She opened a general practice servicing the community of Stanger in 2017. She then went on to establish Numa Medical Aesthetics, a skincare and cosmetic practice using the most up-to-date technologies which operates in uMhlanga Ridge. Dr Lu also has a weekly slot on Gagasi FM that is all about health and wellness. DRIVEN SOLELY BY PASSION On her expanding business offering Dr Lu says, “We basically concentrate on non-surgical cosmetic medicine to help people feel good, look good and present themselves better. I have also recently launched my own skin care products –Numa Skin.” “My business is driven solely by passion and personal experience. Growing up I didn’t have any skin problems and when I turned 24-25, I started having severe acne. This badly dented my self-esteem and confidence; I felt like people made skin contact before they could hear what I was going to say. This is where my passion for non-surgical cosmetic medicine was born. I found a solution that I thought I should extend to other people and that is how I started. I’m passionate about my work because I understand what the customer wants and how they feel about their skin. It’s not just the physical treatments but we also tap into the emotional and psychological side of our clients.” BE THE CHANGE Speaking of what motivates her, Dr Lu says that she has a lot of things that push her ‘like a step ladder’. She said that getting into medicine was motivated by her father, who was very ill and only a few people could help him to become better. One day her father had an attack and as the doctor that was able to help him was away on holiday, this led to her father’s demise. “I was so angry at the doctor, until I realised that he is human, he needs to go on holiday and refresh himself. So, I thought let me be the change I want to see to help counter the shortage of doctors. So that’s how I started the journey.” Dr Lu comes from a very disadvantaged background. Her dad passed away when she was in Grade 11 and her mother passed away when she was in first year university. This meant that she had no one supporting her while at medical school. “So, I started doing modelling jobs, doing people’s hair to make money to survive. That is how the entrepreneurial spirit was born,” said Dr Lu. “When I offer a service, I get money for it, then I can survive.” THE BEST THING Dr Lu has continued to invest back into her business, which has allowed her various initiatives to grow. She added, “I have found my passion. When I talk about my job I just want to smile because the smiles that I see from my clients, are the best thing ever. I wake up in the morning and they make me want to do what I do.” Dr Lu commented that we cry a lot about the government and the unemployment rate being so high. She said, “I’ve got myself into a position of not being angry with the government. Growing my business enables me to hire as many people as I possibly can, to try and bridge that gap. When launching my skin care brand, we built a warehouse where we manufacture these products thus creating employment for the unemployed. Others are involved in the distribution and logistics of the products.” Numa Aesthetics now has three branches. Dr Lu has recently opened a new branch in Hyde Park, Johannesburg with a fourth branch opening at the end of November. “I’m hoping to open as many branches as I possibly can, firstly to help with the distribution, offer the best service to my clients and most importantly, to help employ as many young people as we possibly can,” says Dr Lu. Numa Aesthetics has registered a foundation called Angels are made at Numa. Dr Lu explains, “We go to high schools, mostly the townships and rural areas, and find girls that are struggling with pigmentation and acne. Dr Lu added that unsafe products are being sold online that are not safe for the skin. “But these kids order these things and use these products and end up damaging their skin, so we teach about skin health. We sit down with them and help them with our products and treatments. I also mentor them to present themselves better.” BE AUTHENTIC The most important advice that Dr Lu offers is to be authentic. She explains, “It is very hard to run a business if you are not passionate about what you are doing. Find something that you are passionate about and focus on it instead of focusing on what is happening around you. I have found something that I am passionate about and even on the coldest days of business, I go back to why do I do what I do, and I wake up and try again. We live in a world of social media, where everyone is succeeding in what they do, people are not going to post their failures. Focus on what you are doing, so you can achieve what you are called to do and fulfil your purpose.” Dr Lu says that she tries to balance her life as far as she can. “I am a mother to a seven-year[1]old, so I am very busy at home. I am a very family orientated person, and I’m lucky to be blessed with family and friends that believe in what I do and support and push me even when I feel like giving up at some point.”

Changing the world with one act of kindness at a timeSholain Perumal < Back Sholain Perumal CEO: The Gold Bar, Sensational Hair Salon, Designer Prints, Specialised Accounting, Ballito Seafood Sholain Perumal is a CEO by trade and philanthropist by heart. Her journey began with The Gold Bar, a gold recycling company, known as a company with a heart. With five stores across the country, the company purchases unwanted gold jewellery from the public and recycles it into gold bars that reinvigorate the economy. Sholain owns two hair salons which are located in Umhlanga Rocks on Chartwell Drive and in Cornubia Mall. Under the banner of “Sensational Hair, Nails, and Beauty,” these salons are your ‘ultimate happy place’. The salons offer hair, nails and beauty treatments under one roof and aim to make you feel at home. “It’s just a place to destress and get away from the stresses of the world,” said Sholain. Her entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop there. Designer Prints, a graphic design and print company based in Mount Edgecombe, and Specialized Accounting, an accounting and taxation company, highlight her versatility as an entrepreneur. Sholain’s passion for diversification led her to launch Ballito Seafoods in Odyssey Mall. However, her proudest creation is The Now You Can Foundation which supports a variety of initiatives, from providing grocery hampers, to motivational talks in schools, and care packs for abused women and children. With determination Sholain’s journey to success began with humble roots. After matriculating without the funds to pursue further education, she started working as a cashier in a supermarket. Sholain ensured that every job she had was a steppingstone that would eventually bring her to this point in her career. “It’s been a long, tough road to be where I am,” said Sholain. “But with determination and a never give up attitude, hard work and persistence. I finally achieved where I want to be. I just never gave up on my dreams and I wanted to make sure I achieved what I set out to achieve.” Being a woman in the male-dominated industry of gold recycling presented Sholain with many challenges. “I felt like I had to prove myself, and that’s exactly what I did,” she reflects. “I turned the negativity directed at me as a woman, into building blocks, creating a solid foundation for my businesses and personal growth.” Running multiple businesses has its unique set of challenges, from managing cash flow to handling staff issues. The journey has been punctuated by external hurdles like riots, floods, and the global pandemic. Sholain’s invaluable lesson is that one is not born with all the answers; adaptation and constant learning are essential to survival. “In order to survive, you have to continuously be learning and adapting to the new circumstances and the new challenges thrown at you every single day. And you have to work through it,” she says. Much of her motivation has come from the fact that she is a strong supporter of women’s equality and empowerment. In addition, says Sholain, ‘I’ve always been somewhat rebellious growing up in the sense that I wanted to prove that I could do what people said I couldn’t, and I wanted to break societal norms. I’ve come from a humble background and an Indian community. We had set rules and I was determined to break those norms, and that’s exactly what I did.” Inspired by mentors However, said Sholain she has been very blessed to have mentors along the way that have guided her. As such she has been able to use her passion for empowerment and change to motivate herself and push through despite all the challenges she faced. Wayne Duncan, her previous employer, played a pivotal role in Sholain’s journey. He saw potential in her and often pushed her beyond her limits. “He made me cry more than once,” Sholain chuckles. “But every lesson he taught me is still instilled in me. It’s those life lessons that continue to guide my teaching and influence my mentorship of others.” She added that her parents have been an instrumental part of who she is. The values that they instilled in her as she was growing up have pushed her to where she is and enabled her to conduct business the way she does. “I have to give them credit for the woman that I am today, without them, I probably might not be here,” she said. Her goals for the future are to build an empire and leave a legacy of empowerment. So basically, says Sholain, she wants to create more leaders. Through her businesses people are offered employment and an opportunity to learn from her, to study, and to grow within the organisation. Sholain believes that she can change the world with one act of kindness at a time. That, she says, will just snowball into an effect where everybody’s making one small difference in the world and that combined together will make a bigger change. Anything is achievable In advising young women, Sholain has simple but powerful words: “Don’t overthink it. You’ll never have all your ducks in a row.” She adds, “The biggest step is the first step you take and that’s making the decision to start and after that everything flows. But you may not get it right the first time.” She emphasizes that, “Failure is not the end but an opportunity to begin anew.” With determination and focus, anything is achievable. Despite her hectic life, Sholain recognises the importance of balance and the need to disconnect from the demands of her businesses. She loves travel and a yearly international trip serves as her much needed “me time” making all the hard work throughout the year worthwhile. Sholain’s involvement in the KZN Top Business Women is a source of pride for her. It not only provides exposure for her businesses but also aligns with her mission of women supporting each other. The initiative offers a platform for like-minded women to connect, share experiences, and motivate one another to overcome challenges and reach new heights.

This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is a Title 03 Anele Msweli < Back In 2017 Anele started the brand as passion project while she was living in China. The niche brand has developed into a full-time business with growing demand for its products. Anele and her three sisters were raised by their mother in Montclair, where she attended Mowat Park High. She then attended Rhodes University, where she completed a Bachelor of Earth Sciences degree. The name ‘Mare & Itis’ has its origins in Anele’s student days at Rhodes. She explains, ‘Mare’ is word students at Rhodes use to meaning a fun time. ‘Itis’ is used to describe that sleepy feeling one gets after eating a large meal; “magie vol, ogies toe”. I decided to put these two concepts together to create something that is quint essentially me. I love a good time and I love food.” After completing her degree, Anele volunteered for Greenpeace Africa. She says, ‘The most memorable part of this journey was on board the Rainbow Warrior: I learnt so much from sailing with an eclectic and multinational crew.” ALL NATURAL INGREDIENTS In 2016 Anele moved to Harbin, one of the most northerly cities in China, which as it is situated near Siberia has long and freezing winters. The temperature can reach a very low -40 degrees centigrade. During this time, Anele was using Chinese products for her skin and hair care until she developed allergic reactions to these including her hair starting to fall out. In addition, Anele found it difficult to find suitable cleaning products especially as she was unable to read the labels on the products she was using. This is when, Anele explained, she decided to make her own cleaning products using all natural ingredients. The first product was the prototype for the popular Zesty Kitchen cleaner, which she made from vinegar and lemon. The small business grew from there with requests from friends to make additional products. Countless hours of research led her to a love for essential oils and natural products. Anele then moved to Wuqing, a small district in Tianjin, where she worked long hours as a Montessori English teacher and training coordinator. However, the demand for her products grew and she started selling them in a local market as well as online. ALL OR NOTHING In 2020 Anele’s visit to South Africa for a wedding – with one suitcase – coincided with outbreak of Covid which meant that she was unable to return to China. This also mean that she needed to focus on her fledgling business in order to earn an income. “The year 2020 will always remain a significant year for me and for the brand. It was all or nothing, and I have learnt so much about entrepreneurship and resilience,” explained Anele. The online business has now grown into a range of 45 products including essential oils, linen, and room sprays without alcohol as well as candles and diffusers. Mare & Itis Shoppe is inspired by everything natural. “The products are non-toxic, eco-conscious as well as cruelty-free. I use plant-based ingredients which are biodegradable.” In order to be sustainable all products are supplied in glass bottles, which are reused when returned to her. As a ‘garage’ business Anele is responsible for all aspects of the day to day running. She formulates and tests all products, does the packaging, runs accounts as well as handles all logistics and social media marketing. Apart from her online store, Anele has a number of instore stockists around the country. JUST DO YOUR BEST In speaking of who inspires her Anele says that she loves listening to podcasts including those by Oprah and interior decorator Karin Bohn. She added that she is inspired by her partner who is also an entrepreneur. Anele commented, “However it’s the day-to-day people that are trying to just make things work, the people who just do their best who inspire me the most.” A major challenge in her entrepreneurial journey is that she has not had any funding and has had to rely on her own resources. Other challenges included, “Surviving through Covid which was a major challenge especially as being a non-essential business I experienced shortages in packaging. The rand price and the economy are a constant challenge!” However, she believes that her success has been based on her perseverance as well as being consistent. “It’s important to keep up the same pace no matter what ’waves’ you face,” said Anele. FOLLOW THE DREAM Looking to the future, Anele has set huge goals for herself. As she is really proud of her products and would like to showcase them in the UAE, Anele has obtained an export/ import licence. However, in order to follow her dream, she would have to increase the production of her products substantially. Her advice to young people considering an entrepreneurial journey would be to ‘just start’. “You can learn as you go and figure things out. But you need to set goals for yourself. I am constantly pushing myself to achieve and set new goals at the beginning of each year and again every three months.” In her free time, Anele makes sure to keep both her brain and her hands busy. She enjoys listening to podcasts and reading and loves to sew, knit as well as spends time at the gym and enjoys a regular 5km walk on the Durban promenade every Sunday. Previous Next

The Nic Carroll 2021 Collection Samantha Watt Founder and Owner of Say Watt Struggles are a stepping stone to your next place. When you have gone through the struggle, the prize feels all the more sweeter Samantha Watt

As with any entrepreneur, your experiences build you and that’s the way to get to the top of your pyramid < Back Mariam Manack Founder and Director of ITRAIN Mariam Manack is the founder and director of ITRAIN, a movement that empowers women through physical fitness and strength. She has been a personal trainer since 2012 and in that time has educated and encouraged many hundreds of women to improve their health and fitness. Mariam’s success has been recognised on various platforms. In 2017, she was recognised by the Minara Chamber of Commerce as the youngest Muslim woman to receive a finalist award at the Business Recognition Awards and the Minara Entrepreneurship Competition. Mariam was listed as one of Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 in 2019. She is also a brand ambassador for Puma. Feeling empowered Mariam’s enthusiasm for fitness and sport was present from an early age and stemmed from her parents’ encouragement. She was inspired to participate in sports by her father who was disabled. Mariam explains, “He used fitness and sport to empower himself and to assist in disregarding his disability and to build strength. I was totally motivated by his example.” She added that she enjoyed the euphoria that she experienced after a sports activity and celebrated every step as a great accomplishment. However, Mariam explained that as a young person you don’t question your thoughts. Realising that health and fitness allowed her to feel empowered and that this strength gave her purpose, took some time. She then decided that health was not negotiable and that she would love to empower other people through fitness. Consequently, Mariam completed a Bachelor in Sports Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2010. She was one of only three Indian girls and one of only two Muslims in her year. Laying the foundations Mariam says that her career of choice was not something approved upon by her community. She commented, ‘I did not have a lot of encouragement or support when I started my business. I had no money and no fixed location. Other than leaving South Africa, my scope was very minimal.” However, Mariam was determined to get into the industry and started by training clients at home, without any equipment, just using her voice and her gift. She said, “I went on this journey through my 20s and I like to call it my journey of resilience, ambition and passion. I was at the bottom end of my pyramid, laying the foundations and digging deep into what I enjoy while climbing the ladder as every year went by. I had to stay in my own lane, carve my way and figure things out. As with any entrepreneur, your experiences build you and that’s the way to get to the top of your pyramid.” Soon her clientele grew, and she founded ITRAIN, a health and fitness studio for women, based in Westville, KwaZulu-Natal, which has become a hub for women’s empowerment and fitness. The studio is very private, and community based with a strong ethos of caring for others. The ITRAIN approach is holistic and tailored to each individual encompassing personal coaching, and a training and eating plan, that provide the support with which people resonate. ITRAIN fitness Signature workouts follow specific body types in relation to age. This accommodates for each member based on their age, fitness level and goals. “ITRAIN focuses on women who strive to feel valued as human beings. People often suffer from low esteem and lack confidence which we can help change. I always look forward to each day and the potential to transform people and their lives,” says Mariam. Developing a team Initially, Mariam micromanaged all aspects of the business but that meant being restricted to one location and a limited number of clients. In 2019, an unplanned pregnancy was the motivation that Mariam required to grow her business. She said that she realised that she was going to need support to manage her business and to meet the needs of a child and family. “I developed a team, which was very empowering for me as an individual to know that I was not just keeping my strengths to myself but that I had a responsibility to equip more individuals to grow in to the space that I had filled.” At that time Mariam scaled her team to ten individuals. The Covid pandemic initially caused much concern for Mariam as to how the business was going to survive. Fortunately, the pandemic also sparked more interest in people looking for hope and the need to experience empowerment. This interest in fitness has allowed Mariam to open a second gym, with a third gym to be opened soon in Umhlanga. A running club has also been launched as part of the fitness offering. In addition, the emergence of the digital space has allowed classes to be offered virtually. She says, “I believe that I have a purpose and a role to play in empowering those around me and intend to gain knowledge and enhance my systems so that I can share my knowledge further.” Currently, the online store includes vitamins, apparel, and branded diet plans. A one stop brand In the future Mariam’s goals are to strive to ensure that ITRAIN is recognised as a one stop brand for health and wellness in South Africa and in the world. In giving advice to others, Mariam says that you should, “Choose what you really love doing and that you are passionate about. As long as you love your career then it’s not called work. When you enjoy what you are doing, your joy becomes contagious and motivates other people. I intend to keep doing what I do but will innovate and evolve.” She concluded, “I have changed many women and their lives have changed for the better as a result. I have a goal to make a million women feel more confident and stronger through the ITRAIN platform.”