Who Lead

In honour of Women’s Month, we checked in with four women who are running local businesses, all in different industries, and what inspires them to create a life on their own terms. To all the women pursuing their passions, we encourage you to keep going and learn from these ladies who lead!

TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR BUSINESS

I went to boarding school in the Midlands and then started my first job at Brookdale Health Hydro in 2000. I am now living on our poultry farm in the Midlands with my husband, Keyan, and our three beautiful daughters - so I haven't ventured far! I love farm life, trail running, cooking and creating anything beautiful and purposeful. Living right next to Piggly Wiggly made it the perfect location to open Freerange Interiors & Clothing. We design and locally manufacture our ladies clothing range made up of classic clothing in quality, natural fabrics. We do limited quantities and provide once-off ranges, seldom to be repeated, offering our customers an exclusive purchase. Our interiors are sourced from all over South Africa and abroad, focusing on unique, carefully selected pieces people have come to love from Freerange.

WHAT IS THE STORY BEHIND THE START OF YOUR BUSINESS?

In 2012, I opened Freerange Interiors & Clothing. It started out with an idea to provide a small range of quality ladies' clothing in neutral palates and natural fabrics that customers could build their personal style on. We have now grown to include some of our own fabric prints, bigger ranges and lots more variety including our home interiors, some of which we now commission local artisans to manufacture exclusively for us.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO GET UP EVERY DAY AND WORK ON YOUR BUSINESS?

I absolutely thrive on the creative aspect of my shop and brand - I never stop designing! I am always challenging myself with my most important aspects which are quality, exclusivity, affordability and trends to appeal to my wide range of loyal customers.

WHAT CHALLENGES HAVE YOU FACED AS A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR IN THE MIDLANDS AREA?

My biggest challenge is familiar to us all at the moment and that is manufacturing locally with the interruptions of load shedding.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE KEY LESSONS YOU'VE LEARNT ABOUT OWNING YOUR BUSINESS?

To be consistent in what your brand stands for. Don't be influenced by what’s going on around you - stick to what you do and do it well.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR OTHER WOMEN WHO WANT TO START THEIR OWN BUSINESS?

Trust your instincts and take the leap. There are no guarantees or shortcuts, but if you have an original offering, believe in yourself, and be prepared to keep re-inventing your ideas and brand to keep it exciting and fresh. It can only work!