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This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. < Back This is a Title 02 Aldine Dallas Previous ALDINE DALLAS is living her best life. Three months shy of 50, she has risen above adversity to achieve significant success, and is devoted to helping others transform their lives from the inside out, her motto: Turning hearts not heads. Her passion and determination is unmistakable. "So many people are wounded or completely broken; perhaps from physical or emotional abuse, neglect, or being dismissed as worthless or unimportant, often from as far back as childhood. They don't recognise their value and find it hard to have a positive view of themselves or their lives, bringing negativity into their personal and professional relationships. It's my vision to help these people heal their lives and build wholesome, happy and respectful connections. And it starts with building a healthy relationship with themselves." From the outside Aldine's life looked amazing. By the time she'd finished primary school she was a seasoned television performer, having danced on a show for eight years and starred in numerous commercials and had generated an income from modelling from the age of six. She was also an academic, head prefect and a top sports achiever. She studied public relations and found a great job in advertising straight out of college. Her career blossomed across operations and new business development and she landed her first directorship and shareholding at 28. "But I was an over-achiever and had never dealt with my childhood brokenness, and I had taken on too much too quickly." With life and work pressure escalating, depression set in. Her marriage ended after only two years and a downward spiral ensued. After 10 years and many poor judgement calls, she found herself stuck in a violent relationship and hit rock bottom. But she didn't give up. She walked away from her career, moved to Durban from Johannesburg and went into a rehabilitation facility to start the inward journey of healing, and began a new chapter of her life. The best you Aldine explains: "I finally built a healthy, nurturing relationship with myself. Through self-exploration, learning from counsellors and coaches and connecting with God, my transformation was dramatic. I realised I could make a difference and in 2008 my journey to help others began. My vision was to take what I'd learnt about brokenness; the importance of forgiveness and being accountable, to encourage people who are hurting to stand up with boldness and courage and step into healing and wholeness." One of her projects was a workshop for female inmates at Westville Prison. "I have a special passion for broken women, as I can identify easily with them." Aldine points out that there are many reasons that women end up in prison, but that childhood trauma, a lack of self-respect and unhealthy relationships like co-dependency are often a common thread. Aldine has run her digital marketing agency for many years and is also a qualified life coach. "I help clients become their best selves, and my deep desire was to do this on a bigger scale." She launched her production company and developed, Over 40 and Fabulous, a reality TV show as a platform to help others nationally and potentially, even globally. "My vision for Over 40 and Fabulous is to neutralise gender, cultural and racial tension. Our commitment is to turn hearts, not heads. We have a team of experts to help our participants holistically to overcome issues that have held them back. We'll guide them into wholeness and help them establish a strong identity, and an authenticity in how they present themselves, so they can pursue healthy relationships. And if they're single we'll even help match them with potential partners, who will be coached as well. I want to uplift and change South Africa one person at a time!" Inspired by Oprah Winfrey and Steve Harvey, Aldine describes how they overcame poverty and childhood abuse and chose not to buy into negativity. "They rose above adversity and went on to become two of the most powerful people in the media world. They have given a voice to the broken and underprivileged, investing emotionally, spiritually and financially into the lives of others. My mission is to invest love and time, and whatever resources I can amass, into the lives of South Africans." Finding the balance Unconvinced by the concept of work-life balance, Aldine points out that work is an important part of life, not a separate entity. "You need to find a balance in your life, and for me that includes attending to my digital marketing clients, consulting with my lifecoaching mentees, working on the production of Over 40 and Fabulous, exercising, salsa dancing, writing books and relaxing with friends and family. Balance is important, but I don't compartmentalise my life, I prefer to take a holistic approach." She mentions her 2007 book. "I highlighted that if life is a rocket ship, then every engine has to be equally and consistently fuelled." Referring to areas such as finance, health and fitness, family and parenting, nutrition, emotions, personal character, spirituality, love, career, intellect and education, social, quality of life and life vision, she advises, "Focus energy in each of these areas and your rocket ship will soar to incredible heights!" Hang in there Asked what advice she'd give her younger self, Aldine is positive. "Well done on hanging in so magnificently. You got up each time you were knocked down and I am so incredibly proud of you. Never be ashamed of your past - there's way more to you than that, you are defined by who you have become. Be resilient and always remember that adversity doesn't have to hold you back, in fact it strengthens and propels you onward and upward." Next

Up Home Up Lyse Comins LYSE COMINS takes pride in her track record as a staff journalist with major newspapers, as well as her freelance writing for prestigious publications such as Mail & Guardian, Financial Mail and Freight News. She has established a name for herself in corporate PR. Lyse has built a diverse portfolio of work including traditional journalism, press releases and corporate communications and has a reputation that has translated into ongoing work as a freelance journalist. When asked about her greatest achievements, Lyse pauses to check before answering, “You mean my career achievements?” An interesting career that she loves was top of the list, followed by having had the courage to give up a job she loved to create a more flexible schedule. Eight years before Covid, remote working was a pipedream for most, but with two small children, Lyse knew a standard full-time schedule was not ideal for her. She resigned her journalism job as staff writer on the Independent on Saturday and moved into corporate PR with a big security company – and managed to negotiate a largely remote working schedule, going into the office only once a week. This was a dream scenario, but while her PR role was interesting, it wasn’t long before she missed the variety and immediacy of news writing and began to consider her options. How could she have the best of both worlds? Once again Lyse considered her options and renegotiated her position. This gave her the freedom to take on her own clients, while continuing her PR role. As Lyse puts it, “From there, it just nowballed.” Lyse’s new contract was liberating. In addition to her redesigned corporate job, she picked up several clients over the years and was retained by a national PR agency based in Cape Town, and three major news titles. She happily admits that there were times when learning by doing was her only option. “I think it was Richard Branson who said never turn down an opportunity,” she says. “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity but you are not sure you can do it, say yes – then learn how to do it later!” These days her writing also includes brand content and social media writing. TAKING THE LONG ROAD Lyse had always wanted to be a journalist. Growing up in a home where she was always surrounded by newspapers and news programmes on TV, she was encouraged by her father to take an interest in the world around her. Consequently, even as a little girl she’d always pictured herself as a journalist. After school, she went to college to study journalism but after completing two years of college, she somehow lost direction, dropped out and took a job in a bank. “It seemed like a good idea at the time, but it turned into a six-year detour that nearly derailed my dream.” But experience is never wasted and Lyse had learnt a great deal about business while working in banking, with insights and understanding that has served her well in business journalism. Looking back, it’s not hard to believe that she found her way back to journalism. With ambitions to progress, she knew she needed to study if she was going to make a career in banking. But she was filled with regret as she watched her old classmates move forward in a world she wanted to be part of. Realising it wasn’t too late, Lyse abandoned the idea of studying for her banking qualifications. “I had a longing to pursue my dreams,” says Lyse. “At the relatively ripe old age of 28, I went back to college and finally completed my journalism diploma - and then went on to do a BTech in Journalism.” She’s found her way back and enjoyed studying so much the second time around that she even went on to lecture in journalism. INSPIRATION IS ALL AROUND YOU Lyse was inspired by her journalism colleagues. “When I see good people doing good work and making a difference in society, it spurs me on to do the same,” she says. “And I learnt so much from Wendy Knowler too. I worked with her on the Daily News, and she certainly inspired my passion in that field of journalism.” Lyse’s consumer watchdog columns have been published in The Mercury, The Post, and The Witness. Lyse is planning her own online publication focused on KZN. “I see it as a collaborative project with several journalists,” she says. “There’s way too much going on in KZN to be covered by a single writer!” More immediately, Lyse is about to launch her website. She admits she has allowed deadlines to get in the way of the website, but it is imminent. And, unsurprisingly for any dedicated writer, writing a book is also a goal. Lyse’s advice to younger women is simple, though not always easy to put into practice. “Be true to yourself, stick to your values and don’t let other’s opinions get in the way. Be honest, be humble and work hard.” IN HER OWN TIME Lyse lives with her two children and her partner. She enjoys walking on the beachfront – or nywhere in nature – and the occasional glass of wine. She has found balance in her life and success in her business and is grateful for the opportunities she’s had – including being nominated for KZN Top Business Women.

< Back Next John Chandler John Chandler is the founder and managing director (MD) of Lean Systems and Projects John Chandler is the founder and managing director (MD) of Lean Systems and Projects, a company focussed on Lean Systems training, implementation as well as mentoring. He is currently, via his company, and Opis Advisory, acting managing director of Technique Manufacturing, a tier one supplier to Toyota South Africa (SA) in business rescue. John grew up in in Amanzimtoti where he attended Warner Beach Primary School, Kingsway High School and Natal Technicon. John’s first job was an assembly operator at the International Harvester heavy truck and yellow metal assembly plant in Umbilo Road in Durban. His father, an old-style sales engineer at the factory, decided that he should learn how to assemble trucks before training as an engineer. The assembly job did not last for long, but created a love of heavy trucks, equipment, and manufacturing. Probably because of the love of big trucks and traveling, John applied to the South African Railways and Harbours (SAR&H) to be a truck driver. He was turned down and instead invited to complete an aptitude test that resulted in him joining the SAR&H trainee civil engineering programme. The interviewer had decided that this candidate was applying for a job normally set aside for non-matriculants. The test resulted in John being requested to report to Johannesburg to start a five-year civil engineering diploma. John then joined Toyota SA in 1980 as a buyer, culminating as general manager of engineering in the Toyota Stamping Division. He spent a total of 20 years inside the Toyota fold. For most of these years John was directly involved in setting up aspects of the Toyota Production System (TPS), often referred to as ‘Lean’. His next move was to Hesto Harnesses, a Metair company manufacturing wire harnesses for Toyota SA. Again, his career in Hesto lasted 20 years, with the last 10 years as managing director. Over the years, jobs increased from 1350 to briefly, just over 10 000 at the start of the Ford localisation project. SEEING FACTORIES GROW John retired in June 2021 at 69 years of age, fully intending to tour southern Africa in a camper van as had always been the plan. During the camper van test though, he received a call from the new Hesto MD asking if he was interested in implementing kanban systems into the new Ford factory. This strangely, excited him more than the camper van trip, but rather than be constricted to fixed hours, it was agreed that the contract would be via a new company, and so Lean Systems and Projects was born. Meanwhile, John started receiving calls from many different industries including the clothing industry, to view their factories and to provide training. The most exciting call was received in 2023 when he was asked to act as temporary MD for Technique Manufacturing, a position still held today. “I think that my purpose and what excites me most, is to see factories grow sustainably and to compete with the best in the world. We have to increase jobs in a country that desperately needs more,” explained John. The accomplishment that makes him the proudest is having always being part of teams that have taken on and overcome the many challenges facing South African manufacturing. This includes Toyota SA, Hesto Harnesses and most recently Technique Manufacturing. These teams have collectively and individually faced many problems which could have created job losses. Just to be associated with these teams from operator to executive teams during Covid, floods riots and other significant challenges creates a sense of awe, pride and belonging, explained John. JUST DO IT Over the years, John has received much good advice from many ‘heroes’. The advice that probably had the biggest effect on his life, however, are the words used so often by his first manager at Toyota, George Hunt: “Why don’t you just do it”. This sentence, long before Nike adopted it, kicked into his head in so many situations, from getting out of bed for a morning run, to being the kickstart when unsure of what direction to take. In 2010 John was promoted to MD of Hesto Harnesses who were not doing well in the metrics of quality, cost, delivery, or shareholder profits. That year, John watched a competitor walk off the stage with many awards, while he left the function empty handed. The message was clear that Hesto at that point needed to do something, but what? A meeting was called with all Hesto employees to explain the problem and to find a solution. It was agreed that the simple plan was to ensure they targeted prizes for the next year. If nobody cut themselves, they could win a safety award. If nobody made a defect, they could possibly win a quality award, and so on. Very soon it became apparent that collectively, employees were able to improve in the areas important to the customer as indicated by the award categories. Hesto now had a direction. Later, a more sophisticated plan was drawn up using input from many people, including customers, employees, shareholders and JV Partners. The result was that Hesto began to win awards, and each award was shared with the entire workforce, always lighting up the internet. The joint improvement plan and KPIs also meant that profits improved significantly. To keep one’s team motivated John says that employees need a greater purpose than arriving at work to earn a wage. They need to believe that they are a part of the company and that they can make a difference in creating a sustainable future. Employees must be proud of THEIR company and their role and responsibility in it. John’s biggest inspiration is Ralph Broadley, a past MD of Toyota Manufacturing, non-executive director at Metair, and John’s appointed mentor back in 2010 when finding his feet as MD. Even now at 91, Ralph checks up on John to ensure he remains on track. In conclusion said John, “The impossible is only impossible if you don’t start the journey toward a common end goal.” Previous Next

< Back Facial $34.90 2 hours Book Now About This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. Previous Next

< Back Next Dino Constantinou Dino Constantinou is the founder of Mediterranean Kitchen Dino Constantinou, the founder of Mediterranean Kitchen, started his venture with a mix of determination, necessity, and a bit of serendipity. Reflecting on his journey, Dino shared, “I started this business because I’d left my previous business and was at a loose end. In the interim, my wife had an embroidery company, and I kept getting in her way, so she said to me, ‘Dino, get out. Go do your own thing again’.” This playful push led to the creation of Mediterranean Kitchen, a company that supplies and manufactures dips, pesto, and other Greek specialities. Dino’s entry into the food market began modestly with a small range of dips and pesto that he produced himself in his home kitchen. He took his products to the Essenwood Market, where the response to the range was overwhelming. Dino recalled, “In the first week I went there, within an hour, that cooler box was sold out.” This initial success was a clear sign that he was on to something special. The following week, he returned with two cooler boxes, which again sold out quickly. “Eventually, we were going with five and six cooler boxes plus, and the queues were crazy,” he said, noting how people were literally throwing money at him in their eagerness to buy his products. As the popularity of his products grew, Dino and his wife decided to expand their operations. They built a small factory at their home premises and began employing a few people. Dino’s big break came when a representative from Food Lovers Market approached him with a proposal to supply them. This opportunity led to further growth, and soon the then owner of Food Lovers Market, Lionel Luigino, decided to expand Dino’s reach. “Lionel himself is the guy who opened many doors for us,” Dino acknowledged, crediting him for helping to put Mediterranean Kitchen on the map. EXPANDING THE BUSINESS As the business continued to grow, it soon out- grew its home-based setup. An opportunity arose to purchase a property that used to be known as Chandler’s Pub. Dino saw potential and decided to invest in it. After extensive renovations, Mediterranean Kitchen had a new home. Dino had always been content with his hard work and wasn’t actively looking to expand further. However, Dino recalled that he saw potential for his sons to get involved. “I said, come on, guys. Why don’t you take over and make something out of this business.” He added, “They are all highly educated, we have economists, we have actuaries.” Fortunately for Dino, his sons and their Uncle John, who is also a great businessman, were interested in getting involved in running the business. Dino decided to hand over the business to his sons, making sure everything was signed over to them, including the properties. “In the beginning, it was hard for me to let go, for obvious reasons, but then I realised that the boys work smart, not hard,” he reflected. The brothers now jointly own the business. Dino’s oldest son Alex is the CEO of the business, Dino’s youngest son, Angelo, joined the family business as the sales director, while Michael chose to remain a sleeping partner and financial advisor. Dino’s role shifted to that of a supportive founder, helping where needed and focusing on building and repairing equipment, which remained his passion. The journey has been far from easy. Dino admits that one of the most difficult challenges he faced was letting go of the reins and allowing his sons to take over. “Being from the old school, it was very difficult,” he said, but through many “tears of joy and tears of sadness”, he eventually realised that his sons were capable of taking the business to new heights. “It’s nice walking into a family- owned business and just seeing that everything’s working smoothly,” he commented. OVERCOMING CHALLENGES One of Dino’s greatest accomplishments, he believes, is the fact that the family is still here and stronger than ever after everything they’ve been through. Reflecting on the rough patches and the risks taken to grow the business, he expressed gratitude for the family’s resilience. Alex added, “There was a lot for us to learn about how a small family business like this runs. We didn’t fully appreciate what we were getting ourselves into. Trying to work together as a family definitely put us through our paces.” “We didn’t get out of the kitchen; we stayed in the kitchen. We’re still together, and we’re growing this business,” Angelo said, highlighting the bond that kept them united through challenging times. “We’re just taking humble strides to try and grow this family business and make our dreams come true.” Today, Dino takes great pride in the growth of Mediterranean Kitchen, both in terms of infrastructure and reputation. He pointed out the expansions his sons have made: “From one little part that I built, the boys have added on two other parts – the office upstairs and the change room.” Mediterranean Kitchen has evolved its processes and equipment, achieving the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification, which required a complete overhaul of their operations. In addition, the business now has more structures in place to accommodate the capacity in which the operation is going forward. Importantly, keeping the team motivated is about creating a good work environment and continuing to improve it whenever possible. The Constantinou family continues to build upon Dino’s foundation, constantly striving for growth while keeping their family bond strong. Dino proudly states, “The best thing we’re doing is just to grow, and, of course, keep that love flowing.” He gives much credit to his wife, who he said is not only a great asset to the business but keeps their house together as well. Dino believes that the secret to success lies in never compromising on quality. “Never, ever, ever throw out your quality for quantity,” he advised, a principle that has guided the business since its inception. For Dino, Mediterranean Kitchen is more than just a business; it’s a family legacy built on passion, perseverance, and the strength of family. Previous Next

< Back Next Gerald Wells Gerald Wells is the owner Gerald Wells Hair Professionals Gerald Wells has been a leading hair stylist and businessman for over 30 years. Gerald grew up in Westville and attended Westville Boys High School. Initially, his sights were set on being interior designer, he recalls. By chance, he found himself drawn into the hairdressing profession, a field he would quickly fall in love with. Gerald’s entry into hairdressing was a decision that would set the course for a long and successful career. He began as an apprentice in Durban, learning the craft and honing his skills. “It wasn’t something I planned, but once I started, I knew it was what I wanted to do,” he says. His early experiences in the industry taught him not just the technical skills of hairdressing but also the importance of client relationships and business acumen. His career was marked by a thirst for knowledge, so he decided to broaden his horizons by working overseas. “I wanted to see how things were done elsewhere, to learn from the best,” he explains. This led him to London and Australia, where he was exposed to new techniques, styles, and business practices that were ahead of their time in South Africa. “Those years were invaluable,” he notes. “I learned so much about the industry, but also about myself and what I wanted to achieve.” Upon returning to South Africa, Gerald was ready to take on the challenge of building his own business. He started with a single salon, but he says, “I knew I wanted to create something bigger, something that could grow and evolve.” SERVICE IS EVERYTHING Gerald’s business grew steadily, thanks to his commitment to quality and his focus on building strong relationships with clients. “Service is every- thing,” he emphasises. “People come to you not just for a haircut, but for the experience, the connection.” Over the years, Gerald’s business ventures expanded significantly. The 28 stores that Gerald has opened throughout his career consist of the following: 18 Splush stores, four GHD hair hardware kiosks, three salons and three barber shops. They include: two salons at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre – Gerald Wells Hair and The Barber by Gerald Wells and GHD Hair Hardware retail stores at both Ballito Lifestyle Centre and Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Despite his success, Gerald has faced challenges. One was relocating his flagship store, a move that required careful planning and execution. “It was a stressful time,” he admits. “We had to make sure our clients stayed with us and that the transition was smooth.” The relocation was a success, thanks to Gerald’s attention to detail and his strong relationship with his clients. Another challenge came with the financial difficulties surrounding Splush, a chain of hairdressing retail outlets were opened across South Africa. “Splush was a great idea, but like any business, it had its ups and downs,” he reflects. “You have to stay focused on your goals and be prepared to make tough decisions.” Personal challenges have also been part of Gerald’s journey. Going through a divorce was a difficult period for him, but he remained focused on his business and his family. “It wasn’t easy, but I learned a lot about myself and what really matters,” he shares. PASSION IS CONTAGIOUS For Gerald, keeping his team motivated is an important aspect of his business. He believes in leading by example and fostering a positive work environment. “Passion is contagious,” he says. “If you’re excited about what you do, your team will be too.” Education is an essential component of his approach. Gerald plays a key role in his company’s training academy, where he focuses on empower- ing new talent. “Mentorship is so important, he emphasizes. “I want to help others achieve their dreams, just like others helped me when I was starting out.” Being actively involved in the business is crucial for Gerald.“I try to be hands-on, to be there for my team when they need me,” he explains. This involvement helps to build camaraderie and trust within the team. Gerald also emphasises the importance of acknowledging the hard work people put in and to celebrate achievements together. SOMETHING UNIQUE In addition to his salons and retail outlets, Gerald has his own haircare range, which is stocked in DisChem stores. “Creating my own product line was something I’d always wanted to do,” he says. “It’s been a great way to extend the brand and offer something unique to our clients.” Beyond the world of hairdressing, Gerald is involved in Brand Boys, a company he co-founded with his son Wesley Wells and a friend. “I love the challenge of starting something new, of seeing an idea come to life,” he explained. Despite his busy professional life, Gerald makes time for his personal passions, including travelling and exploring beauty, health, and food globally. “Travelling is a great way to recharge and find inspiration,” he says. Family is a central part of Gerald’s life. His greatest accomplishment, he says, is being a father to his three children, Wesley, Dylan, and Jade. “My family means everything to me,” he shares. Balancing the demands of running multiple businesses with family life isn’t always easy, but Gerald makes it a priority. “At the end of the day, they’re the reason I do what I do.” Looking back on his career, Gerald takes pride in what he has accomplished but remains humble about his success. “I’ve been very fortunate,” he reflects. “But it’s not just about luck – it’s about hard work, passion, and being willing to take risks.” As he looks to the future, Gerald is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, saying: “There’s always more to learn, more to achieve.” The motto that Gerald lives by is, “Do unto others as you like done unto yourself.” He explains, “I’ve been very fortunate throughout life to receive handsome rewards for the work I have done, but I really feel whatever you give out in life, it’ll come back tenfold.” Previous Next

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