Gayle Adlam Editor-in-Chief

Scroll FAQs 01 What are the KZN Top Business Awards? The KZN Top Business Awards is an annual event that recognise individuals, companies and organisations that are not only excelling but integrating responsible business practice into their mainstream operations. These practices result in a positive impact in the marketplace, environment, community, and workplace, creating a better life for all in KwaZulu-Natal. In addition, the KZN Top Business Awards offers an excellent opportunity for leading businesspeople to meet, be inspired and showcase their achievements to their peers. 02 What are the benefits of submitting entries? Being nominated, shortlisted and winning one of the KZN Top Business awards is a real acknowledgement that your business is a true success and contributing something meaningful to the KZN economy. Winning or being nominated for awards serves to strengthen your position against your competitors. Successful businesses like to work with other successful businesses. Recognition at an awards ceremony gives a morale boost to your company’s employees and gives them a focus for their purpose at work. Awards help build brand loyalty as customers are keen to support with businesses who are perceived to be doing well. And you’ll inspire others to follow your lead. 03 What do the entrants receive? Greater brand awareness is created through the highly valuable publicity before and after the event, through print, email and social media as well as on the night of the awards ceremony. The winners will be presented with a trophy 04 What are the award categories? 1. Manufacturing Sector Broadly defined as the physical or chemical transformation of materials or compounds into new products. 2. Transport/Logistics Sector Refers to activities concerned with land transport, railway transport, water transport, and transport via pipelines, air transport, and activities of travel agencies, post and telecommunications, courier activities, as well as storage and warehousing activities. 3. Franchising Sector A business that is owned by one or more people who provide products or services under the branding and rules stipulated by a parent company. 4. Family-Owned/Managed Businesses Open to businesses where the majority ownership/management remains within a family (or multi-family) structure, and where more than one generation contributes to the success of the business. 5. Agricultural and Agro-Processing Sector Incorporates establishments and activities that are primarily engaged in farming activities, but also includes establishments focusing on commercial hunting and game propagation and forestry, logging and fishing. The beneficiation of primary materials and intermediate goods from agricultural, fisheries and forestry-based sectors is included. 6. Education, Business and Financial Services sector This sector includes insurance and pension funding; legal; accounting; education and general business activities. 7. Community Upliftment and Improvement This award is open to businesses or social enterprises that have made a significant positive impact on the community and region they operate in. This could include: charitable efforts, or developing your local community. 8. Renewable Efficiency – Green initiatives This category includes renewable energy, low-carbon transport, energy-efficient buildings, clean technologies, improved waste management, improved freshwater provision, etc. 9. Employee Wellness This award is for businesses that go the extra mile to engage their staff members and what difference this makes to the business. This may be through in-house training, flexible working, personal development, workplace wellbeing activity and teambuilding. 10. Partnership The winning project will reflect the importance of teamwork and effective inter-agency collaboration. 11. KZN Top Brand: The top homegrown brand in KwaZulu-Natal is awarded based only on the results of a public poll. 12. Business Leader of the Year: The KZN Top Business Leader’s award is an honorary award given to a businessperson who has demonstrated exemplary business achievement, industry influence and is a true inspiration to others. 13 Top Business Woman The KZN Top Business Woman’s award is an honorary award given to a businesswoman who has demonstrated exemplary business achievement, industry influence and is a true inspiration to others. 14 Standard Bank Client of the year – SME Category Less than R100M turn over per annum, bank with Standard Bank 15 Standard Bank Client of the year – Larger Enterprise More than R100 million turn over per annum, bank with Standard Bank 05 When do the awards open for nominations and entries? The awards open for nominations and entries on 1 March 2026 06 When do entries close? Category entries close at midnight on 12 June 2026 Top Brand entries close on 28 June 2026 07 Who is eligible to enter? To be eligible for a category award, the company or organisation must have an office in KZN Entrants need to demonstrate how their companies have embraced the principles of the King V Report on Corporate Governance in South Africa 2026. Factors such as stakeholder relations, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and quality of governance are all considered in the formal judging process. 08 Is there a cost to enter or nominate the business? There is no cost involved to enter or nominate a business. 09 Can I nominate our own business for the awards? Yes, you may 10 How are businesses entered into KZN Top Business Awards? All entrants must fill out part one of the form online to activate your entry which is available on www. kzntopbusiness.com AND For categories One to Ten download and complete part two which must be emailed (or use Wetransfer) to gayle@mweb.co.za Top Brand entrants do not require an entry form. The KZN Leaders Award does not require an entry form 11 How many categories can a business enter? Each business can enter a maximum of two categories as well as the top brand category 12 Can finalists and winners from previous years enter? Yes, they may. Full entry forms are required to be submitted. 13 How are the applications judged? Entries for the KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Portfolio category awards are reviewed and scored by the KwaZulu-Natal Top Business Portfolio editorial board. Finalists will be selected based on the evidence submitted in their entry and on any additional information that the judging panel may receive. Winners within each category will be selected from the finalists by the judges. The Brand award is awarded by public voting only The KZN Top Business Leader’s award is an honorary award 14 How does voting work for the Top Brand category? Voting is online. All businesses are encouraged to get their staff, family friends and other stakeholders to vote for their top brand and is actively encouraged 15 What are the key dates? 1 March 2026– Entries/ Nominations open 12 June 2026– General categories entries close 28 June 2026– Top Brand vote closes at 10 pm 16 July 2026 – Gala Awards’ Dinner 16 Who can I contact for more information? Please contact Gayle Adlam at 0836530465 or gayle@mweb.co.za 17 Can I invite friends, colleagues, family and/or staff to attend the final awards event? There will be a limited number of tickets allocated to each of the finalists. You will be able to watch the recorded proceedings online on the 18 July 2026

Maryke Dickinson Chief Digital Strategist & Operations Lead

Grant Adlam Chief Executive Officer

A Durban girl through and through, Tarryn has travelled the world sourcing products for South African consumers. After four years working at an antique shop, she joined a merchandising company where she worked with buyers who sourced product for Game and DionTarryn TaitA Durban girl through and through, Tarryn has travelled the world sourcing products for South African consumers. After four years working at an antique shop, she joined a merchandising company where she worked with buyers who sourced product for Game and DionTARRYN TAIT imports homeware and furniture from China, India, Malaysia and Brazil, supplying national retail clients and selling online direct to consumers. A Durban girl through and through, Tarryn has travelled the world sourcing products for South African consumers. After four years working at an antique shop, she joined a merchandising company where she worked with buyers who sourced product for Game and Dion. When one of these buyers started her own business, she head-hunted Tarryn to join her, and sent her off on her first trip to China to source homeware items. Two years later, the Coventry Group of Companies decided to open a new homeware division and approached Tarryn to set it up. Initially apprehensive because of her lack of experience in running a business, she soon realised it was a great career opportunity. They'd also offered her shares, making it even more enticing. And, as her husband pointed out, if she didn't like it she could always find something else. Keeping a principled perspective, Tarryn was careful to ensure there was no overlap with her previous company and joined the Coventry Group in 2008, setting up Colindale Trading, focusing on office furniture and securing Makro as their major client. Realising the risks inherent in over-reliance on one client, Tarryn soon branched out and began supplying other customers, including Game and Woolworths. Focused on growth, It wasn't long before Tarryn identified the potential of online shopping, and introduced an online store that rapidly proved successful, and now accounts for approximately 45% of turnover. After almost a decade, Tarryn realised that she wanted complete control of the business. The Paruk family, owners of the Coventry Group of Companies, had supported her throughout, but in real terms she was running the business with minimal input and wanted to do it on her own. After lengthy negotiations, the sale of the business was finalised and Tarryn took over Colindale Trading in 2018. It's all about people "People are my thing," says Tarryn, "and if I know one thing for sure, it's the people I've met along the way that have made the difference in my success. Yes, I work hard and I'm an over-achiever, but I couldn't have done this on my own." And with each career move, she's maintained relationships with previous colleagues and been able to move on and up without jeopardising those who have supported her and created opportunities for her. Which is probably why she's stayed in the same premises, renting from the Coventry Group. And her staff is equally loyal to her - her right hand woman has been with her for eleven years - and she maintains friendships going back to her school days. Focus on the positive At the age of 21, Tarryn was involved in a hit and run accident that almost left her crippled. She and another lady stopped to help victims of an accident, and a car, perhaps mistaking the accident scene for a roadblock and trying to evade it, mowed into her. Told she would be unable to walk for two years, she remarks that she surprised herself - and everyone else - by how well she coped. Downplaying the permanent damage and pain, she chose to focus on the positive. "I could have died, so learning to walk again wasn't such a big deal. It was merely an obstacle to be overcome." Happily married, with two children, Tarryn says her children inspire her to be a better person every day. "I think about the values I want them to learn, and I realise I need to live those values to teach them." But while family life is integral to her happiness, she admits that she doesn't have a good work-life balance. "I'm a people-pleaser and an over-achiever, so I take on too much." She's joined the Durban Entrepreneurs Organisation and says she's getting better at balancing her life. "We hold each other accountable. I can't meet every month complaining about my lack of balance; they won't let me get away with that - they'll demand to know what I'm doing about it!" Tarryn's happy about what she's achieved so far. "But there's a lot more I want to do. Specially in terms of contributing to and improving the lives of others. I haven't even scratched the surface yet." She says there's a lot of advice she wished she'd been told when she was younger. "Most importantly, don't be so hard on yourself when you fail. Learn the lesson and move on. If I'd learnt to do that sooner, I'd have saved myself a whole lot of stress." Cheryl Govender CHERYL GOVENDER is the founder and owner of The Cake House in Pietermaritzburg. She is a qualified chef and professional cake artist. The Cake House has become a leading provider of designer cakes including engineered life-size cakes. Cheryl's exceptional cakes, each a masterpiece, have been featured in magazines and on television, and The Cake House is recognised as a leader in new age sugarcraft. Cheryl is inspired by successful bakeries and cake artists. She explains, "This is a tough industry and requires not only talent, but a business mind, people skills, market insight, tenacity, and continuous learning and growth." One of her biggest inspirations is Buddy Valastro, an American baker who is the star of the reality television series 'Cake Boss'. Be clear about what must be achieved Cheryl believes she got to where she is now and reached her goals by being clear about what she needed to achieve and why she needed to achieve them. She says her career started when she was fourteen when she was handed down decorating tools that her sister no longer needed. "Although I was a real tomboy, beating the boys at their own games in the streets, I did girly stuff when I went home, like playing with cake decorating tools and my dolls," she laughed. Cheryl learned about sugar art by reading books from the municipal library and often left the kitchen in a mess after experimenting. Her Consumer Studies teacher recognised Cheryl's talent; arranged for her to attend a cake decorating course, and gave her a toolset, which she treasures to this day. This teacher, now a retired school principal, adopted Cheryl as a daughter, helped her to believe in herself, and became her mentor to this day. Cheryl won a Consumer Studies Inter School Award in matric due to her passion for cake decorating, but at that time she considered it a hobby, not a career. After a year at college, Cheryl married and became a mother. She joined the corporate world but kept on making decorated cakes as a hobby to supplement her income. When her son was two years old, Cheryl entered and won the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show sugarcraft competition. This led to her teaching sugarcraft on a part-time basis at the now FET College in Northdale, something she continued passionately for 25 years. This Cheryl said, was fulfilling: "empowering women has always been close to my heart". Focus on one thing and do it well Cheryl gained wide experience in the corporate world, including ten years in shipping and international travel, before she started her own export business. This business crashed during the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and she "fell back on her hands", starting a food catering business that also provided cakes. Cheryl made a few designer cakes assuming there was little market for these due to the high prices, but word of her quality and expertise spread and orders increased. A traumatic divorce, the demands of being involved in catering, wedding décor, training and making cakes at the same time, made her realise that she needed to streamline her activities. In 2012 she decided to focus on one thing only and do it well and opened The Cake House. Cheryl, a single mom had herself, her mother's assistance, two children, and a house. As she had lost her vehicle, Cheryl went everywhere in running shoes while carrying cake ingredients and other items in a backpack. Nothing was handed to her; she had no money and could not get a bank loan. Cheryl understood the risks involved but her faith and trust in God helped her. She managed to buy all her industrial baking equipment from a helpful appliance store on a three-month cash basis. Her business remains debt-free to this day. Business skills are unrelated to gender In Cheryl's view, women and men need the same business approach, as the skills required for a successful business are unrelated to gender. "Tenacity, hard work, honesty, patience and endurance are equally required from men and women." She does, however, concede that women face more challenges. She has had to face abuse, being a mother, and a divorce. Achieving a work-life balance boils down to discipline for Cheryl. "It is necessary to make time for your family and yourself, and also to rest, but not working can be scary for a business owner with much to do," she says. "I've had to learn to set boundaries, say no, and cut myself off from work when it's time to relax and unwind." Gardening, time with her family and puppies, and doing things outside of the business help create a balance. Brand ambassador Cheryl is happy with what she has accomplished thus far and readily give others credit. Without her mother, she could not have set up The Cake House. Without the help of her husband Alan, her family, and staff members, she would not have been able to grow the business. She feels honoured having recently being appointed a brand ambassador with royal status, for Rolkem Colours, one of the world's largest food colourant providers. While Cheryl is satisfied with the place she has reached, she is not comfortable about remaining there. Cheryl dreams of making the province proud of The Cake House as a tourism attraction. With a growing support structure in place, she is prepared to take risks within her means and take the business to the next level. Back

As head of the Wealth and Investment Division for Standard Bank KZN, Lisa Forster leads a team of relationship managers and wealth managers, focusing on holistic solutions for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. She and her team ensure service excellence in delivering holistic solutions, both domestically and off shore, for their clientsLisa ForsterAs head of the Wealth and Investment Division for Standard Bank KZN, Lisa Forster leads a team of relationship managers and wealth managers, focusing on holistic solutions for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. She and her team ensure service excellence in delivering holistic solutions, both domestically and off shore, for their clientsAs head of the Wealth and Investment Division for Standard Bank KZN, Lisa Forster leads a team of relationship managers and wealth managers, focusing on holistic solutions for high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. She and her team ensure service excellence in delivering holistic solutions, both domestically and off shore, for their clients. "I joined Standard Bank in the most junior position possible," she laughs. "I was 17 and straight out of school. Financially, university just wasn't an option and I was just happy to get a job." Lisa points out that she didn't mind starting at the bottom, and says it defined her. "I had to learn, work hard and create opportunities, and I still strive to do this today." Many different roles Lisa has had many different roles in the business, and that's stood her in good stead to progress through the ranks. "I've worked really hard to develop myself professionally and put up my hand for every opportunity. I've never really been guided by my job description and I still stand by that today. Being willing to take on added responsibilities and do whatever is needed has opened up opportunities for me. And I try every day to be better than the day before." She has a simple philosophy: If you can do your job with your eyes closed, it's time to regroup and look for new self-development opportunities. And happily, she's been able to do this with Standard Bank. "If your job allows you to integrate your values with the company values, then that's a great platform for commitment and for career growth, and I'm very grateful to Standard Bank and way they've supported me through my career, in my studies and with executive development programmes." Right now, Lisa sees a role for herself to contribute to a new generation of leaders coming up the ranks within Standard Bank. "I want to support them in the same way, and if they can benefit from my knowledge and my experience, then I'm making a difference." Show up every day Asked who inspires her, Lisa notes that typically, people look to those in positions of leadership or in the public domain for inspiration. "But for me it's the people who come to work despite the challenges and adversities they face on a daily basis; who show up every day with a great attitude, give of their best and really deliver for the business. They remind me on a daily basis to appreciate what I have and all the opportunities Standard Bank has afforded me over the past 30 years." But career success doesn't come without some compromise. "I don't believe you can ever really achieve work life balance," she says. "I think it's more important to be present in what you are doing at any particular time, whether at work or at home, and you have to be quite deliberate about it to achieve your goals." Focus is a big part of her success both in her career and her personal life. Right now, she's training for the Chicago Marathon. "I start my day at 4am to get the training in. That's being deliberate! But I also believe in the link between a healthy body, and a healthy mind, and my running is good for productivity." Business is about people Given a time-machine, she'd advise her younger self that you don't need a leadership title to be a leader in your environment; that no matter how talented you are, you can't always move up without earning your stripes; that's it's not always clear what you're learning from an experience, but if you do your best it might turn out to be a defining opportunity. "Take every opportunity; it's not a waste of time, it's clearing a path for you. And remember that each challenging day might be teaching you something. So learn from it - your future self may thank you." Lisa would also remind herself to protect her reputation and her credibility. "They speak for you when you're not in the room." And lastly, she'd point out the need to build solid relationships. "So much of your career success depends on your relationships, because business is about people." Cheryl Govender CHERYL GOVENDER is the founder and owner of The Cake House in Pietermaritzburg. She is a qualified chef and professional cake artist. The Cake House has become a leading provider of designer cakes including engineered life-size cakes. Cheryl's exceptional cakes, each a masterpiece, have been featured in magazines and on television, and The Cake House is recognised as a leader in new age sugarcraft. Cheryl is inspired by successful bakeries and cake artists. She explains, "This is a tough industry and requires not only talent, but a business mind, people skills, market insight, tenacity, and continuous learning and growth." One of her biggest inspirations is Buddy Valastro, an American baker who is the star of the reality television series 'Cake Boss'. Be clear about what must be achieved Cheryl believes she got to where she is now and reached her goals by being clear about what she needed to achieve and why she needed to achieve them. She says her career started when she was fourteen when she was handed down decorating tools that her sister no longer needed. "Although I was a real tomboy, beating the boys at their own games in the streets, I did girly stuff when I went home, like playing with cake decorating tools and my dolls," she laughed. Cheryl learned about sugar art by reading books from the municipal library and often left the kitchen in a mess after experimenting. Her Consumer Studies teacher recognised Cheryl's talent; arranged for her to attend a cake decorating course, and gave her a toolset, which she treasures to this day. This teacher, now a retired school principal, adopted Cheryl as a daughter, helped her to believe in herself, and became her mentor to this day. Cheryl won a Consumer Studies Inter School Award in matric due to her passion for cake decorating, but at that time she considered it a hobby, not a career. After a year at college, Cheryl married and became a mother. She joined the corporate world but kept on making decorated cakes as a hobby to supplement her income. When her son was two years old, Cheryl entered and won the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show sugarcraft competition. This led to her teaching sugarcraft on a part-time basis at the now FET College in Northdale, something she continued passionately for 25 years. This Cheryl said, was fulfilling: "empowering women has always been close to my heart". Focus on one thing and do it well Cheryl gained wide experience in the corporate world, including ten years in shipping and international travel, before she started her own export business. This business crashed during the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and she "fell back on her hands", starting a food catering business that also provided cakes. Cheryl made a few designer cakes assuming there was little market for these due to the high prices, but word of her quality and expertise spread and orders increased. A traumatic divorce, the demands of being involved in catering, wedding décor, training and making cakes at the same time, made her realise that she needed to streamline her activities. In 2012 she decided to focus on one thing only and do it well and opened The Cake House. Cheryl, a single mom had herself, her mother's assistance, two children, and a house. As she had lost her vehicle, Cheryl went everywhere in running shoes while carrying cake ingredients and other items in a backpack. Nothing was handed to her; she had no money and could not get a bank loan. Cheryl understood the risks involved but her faith and trust in God helped her. She managed to buy all her industrial baking equipment from a helpful appliance store on a three-month cash basis. Her business remains debt-free to this day. Business skills are unrelated to gender In Cheryl's view, women and men need the same business approach, as the skills required for a successful business are unrelated to gender. "Tenacity, hard work, honesty, patience and endurance are equally required from men and women." She does, however, concede that women face more challenges. She has had to face abuse, being a mother, and a divorce. Achieving a work-life balance boils down to discipline for Cheryl. "It is necessary to make time for your family and yourself, and also to rest, but not working can be scary for a business owner with much to do," she says. "I've had to learn to set boundaries, say no, and cut myself off from work when it's time to relax and unwind." Gardening, time with her family and puppies, and doing things outside of the business help create a balance. Brand ambassador Cheryl is happy with what she has accomplished thus far and readily give others credit. Without her mother, she could not have set up The Cake House. Without the help of her husband Alan, her family, and staff members, she would not have been able to grow the business. She feels honoured having recently being appointed a brand ambassador with royal status, for Rolkem Colours, one of the world's largest food colourant providers. While Cheryl is satisfied with the place she has reached, she is not comfortable about remaining there. Cheryl dreams of making the province proud of The Cake House as a tourism attraction. With a growing support structure in place, she is prepared to take risks within her means and take the business to the next level. Back

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Dylan Naidoo Multimedia Field Journalist

MEGAN KAHN is the owner of Plan Ahead Events and Décor, a company she started 17 years ago, and manager of Cheers Hiring. Plan Ahead Events and Décor manages events for big corporates and individuals alike as well as weddings and other functionsMegan KahnMEGAN KAHN is the owner of Plan Ahead Events and Décor, a company she started 17 years ago, and manager of Cheers Hiring. Plan Ahead Events and Décor manages events for big corporates and individuals alike as well as weddings and other functionsMEGAN KAHN is the owner of Plan Ahead Events and Décor, a company she started 17 years ago, and manager of Cheers Hiring. Plan Ahead Events and Décor manages events for big corporates and individuals alike as well as weddings and other functions. Arrangements cover the entire event spectrum including invitations, catering, DJs, tables and chairs, and crockery. Themed décor, small details or big props, are a specialty. Plan Ahead is fortunate to have developed a partnership with Cheers Hiring, a company which has earned an enviable reputation in the functions and hiring environment, becoming one of South Africa's biggest in this field. After finishing school, Megan started her working career by joining the old Seaboard Hotel. She became interested in the hospitality industry; realising it was where she wanted to be and grow. Megan says she was fortunate to have supportive managers who allowed her to attend training courses. She says, "When you have passion for doing something, you want to grow and improve." This is the reason why she has never stopped learning. Jill of all trades Megan moved to Johannesburg when her husband was transferred there by his employer. After having her first child, she wanted to spend time being a mother rather than working in hotels and hospitality. She started "Plan Ahead" with only a computer, printer and fax machine. The company initially operated as a tour operating business, managing inbound tours of South Africa for overseas tourists. Four years later, when she fell pregnant again, Megan returned to Durban. As business in Durban was smaller and attracted fewer tours, she reinvented Plan Ahead to deal with events, conferences, functions, and activations. Working alone, Megan initially had to manage all aspects of the business and carry out everything that needed to be done, becoming a "Jill of all trades". The corporate and private functions business performed outstandingly for Plan Ahead until a recession about five years ago. With the slowdown in big functions, Megan realised that décor hiring for companies and people who did not want the "total event package" was taking off and more storage space was required to store equipment. As a result, about two years ago, the collaboration between Plan Ahead and Cheers Hiring started, and they now operate from the same warehouse. Commenting on what inspires her, Megan says that she is inspired by social media as well as chatting and socialising with different people. "Everyone's requirements are different, but I have always loved following David Tutera International Stylist to the famous. We like to pride ourselves in trying never to create the same look and feel for every client." Driven to become bigger and better Sometimes, especially after big, successful events, it is hard for Megan to believe that she has managed to arrange everything. "Once the event is over and you sit back and look and say to yourself wow, we did that and the client is happy - this keeps me motivated - I love a challenge." Every year she sets new goals for big events involving up to 2500 people but also for small ones. Although content with what she has reached, Megan is still driven to become bigger and better, growing both businesses, expanding nationally and into Africa. According to Megan, the requirements for women to be successful in her industry are no different from what they are for men. Her business used to be women-driven, but creative men are entering the industry, giving women good competition. "You need to work hard and be passionate about the business regardless of your gender, it is about you as person. You need to believe in yourself and do everything, including physical work." She laughs, saying that men are amazed when she picks up heavy things. "In our industry and life in general, what you put in is what you get out." You get up and move forward Megan credits her mother for supporting her and inspiring her to get where she is. She was a single mother who raised three children and fought cancer for ten years. She says her mother made her a stronger woman and she aspires to be like her. Her mother's motto was "No matter what happens, you get up and move forward." Megan strives to apply this to life and business. Balancing work with life is important. Megan has a teenage daughter and son who have grown up with their mom doing what she does. She says she supports them, but they also support and inspire her. This is important as her industry is not an easy one to be in, involving late nights and early mornings. She works hard during the festive season, but when it is not busy, she spends quality time with her family. She summarises her policy: "The laptop is off when I get home, so it does not interfere with what I do with my family." The advice that Megan would give her younger self is, "Believe more in yourself, believe that you can achieve things". She would add that it's okay to fail sometimes. Things don't always run smoothly, especially if you have your own business. "If you fall down, what matters is how you pick yourself up, move forward and to learn from failures." She would also advise socialising with more people who uplift and encourage you, who share the same passion as you; the earlier you can learn that, the easier it would become to run your own business. Cheryl Govender CHERYL GOVENDER is the founder and owner of The Cake House in Pietermaritzburg. She is a qualified chef and professional cake artist. The Cake House has become a leading provider of designer cakes including engineered life-size cakes. Cheryl's exceptional cakes, each a masterpiece, have been featured in magazines and on television, and The Cake House is recognised as a leader in new age sugarcraft. Cheryl is inspired by successful bakeries and cake artists. She explains, "This is a tough industry and requires not only talent, but a business mind, people skills, market insight, tenacity, and continuous learning and growth." One of her biggest inspirations is Buddy Valastro, an American baker who is the star of the reality television series 'Cake Boss'. Be clear about what must be achieved Cheryl believes she got to where she is now and reached her goals by being clear about what she needed to achieve and why she needed to achieve them. She says her career started when she was fourteen when she was handed down decorating tools that her sister no longer needed. "Although I was a real tomboy, beating the boys at their own games in the streets, I did girly stuff when I went home, like playing with cake decorating tools and my dolls," she laughed. Cheryl learned about sugar art by reading books from the municipal library and often left the kitchen in a mess after experimenting. Her Consumer Studies teacher recognised Cheryl's talent; arranged for her to attend a cake decorating course, and gave her a toolset, which she treasures to this day. This teacher, now a retired school principal, adopted Cheryl as a daughter, helped her to believe in herself, and became her mentor to this day. Cheryl won a Consumer Studies Inter School Award in matric due to her passion for cake decorating, but at that time she considered it a hobby, not a career. After a year at college, Cheryl married and became a mother. She joined the corporate world but kept on making decorated cakes as a hobby to supplement her income. When her son was two years old, Cheryl entered and won the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show sugarcraft competition. This led to her teaching sugarcraft on a part-time basis at the now FET College in Northdale, something she continued passionately for 25 years. This Cheryl said, was fulfilling: "empowering women has always been close to my heart". Focus on one thing and do it well Cheryl gained wide experience in the corporate world, including ten years in shipping and international travel, before she started her own export business. This business crashed during the worldwide financial crisis of 2008 and she "fell back on her hands", starting a food catering business that also provided cakes. Cheryl made a few designer cakes assuming there was little market for these due to the high prices, but word of her quality and expertise spread and orders increased. A traumatic divorce, the demands of being involved in catering, wedding décor, training and making cakes at the same time, made her realise that she needed to streamline her activities. In 2012 she decided to focus on one thing only and do it well and opened The Cake House. Cheryl, a single mom had herself, her mother's assistance, two children, and a house. As she had lost her vehicle, Cheryl went everywhere in running shoes while carrying cake ingredients and other items in a backpack. Nothing was handed to her; she had no money and could not get a bank loan. Cheryl understood the risks involved but her faith and trust in God helped her. She managed to buy all her industrial baking equipment from a helpful appliance store on a three-month cash basis. Her business remains debt-free to this day. Business skills are unrelated to gender In Cheryl's view, women and men need the same business approach, as the skills required for a successful business are unrelated to gender. "Tenacity, hard work, honesty, patience and endurance are equally required from men and women." She does, however, concede that women face more challenges. She has had to face abuse, being a mother, and a divorce. Achieving a work-life balance boils down to discipline for Cheryl. "It is necessary to make time for your family and yourself, and also to rest, but not working can be scary for a business owner with much to do," she says. "I've had to learn to set boundaries, say no, and cut myself off from work when it's time to relax and unwind." Gardening, time with her family and puppies, and doing things outside of the business help create a balance. Brand ambassador Cheryl is happy with what she has accomplished thus far and readily give others credit. Without her mother, she could not have set up The Cake House. Without the help of her husband Alan, her family, and staff members, she would not have been able to grow the business. She feels honoured having recently being appointed a brand ambassador with royal status, for Rolkem Colours, one of the world's largest food colourant providers. While Cheryl is satisfied with the place she has reached, she is not comfortable about remaining there. Cheryl dreams of making the province proud of The Cake House as a tourism attraction. With a growing support structure in place, she is prepared to take risks within her means and take the business to the next level. Back

Grant Adlam Chief Executive Officer