Nicolene Schoeman Louw

Author: Nicolene

Like Grandma’s Cooking?

Feeling like a fraud in your leadership role? You are not alone. Imposter syndrome affects even the most capable leaders. In this inspiring read, discover how building capability and trust is like learning to cook without a recipe — imperfect, messy, and deeply human. Whether you are managing a team or stepping into new responsibility, learn how to lead with confidence, authenticity, and heart.

The Fire Inside. Fireworks and The Voice

For as long as I can remember, I’ve felt a deep, burning sensation in my chest—not heartburn, but something much more profound. It’s a fire that has fueled my passion, inspired my actions, and shaped how I engage with the world. For years, I called it my “firework,” a force that filled me with energy and direction long before I understood its significance.

In this personal reflection, I reveal my journey to uncover the true essence of that fire: my voice. I address the challenges many women encounter when trying to express their truths in a society that often pushes us to be smaller, quieter, and more accommodating. I delve into the importance of speaking from a place of intention and identity, demonstrating the incredible power that arises when our voice resonates with our authentic selves.

If you’ve ever found yourself questioning your place, suppressing your words, or yearning to feel seen and recognised for who you truly are, I urge you to read my story. It’s about more than just speaking out; it’s about embracing your full self and believing that your voice not only matters but can also inspire change.

Rediscovering Identity: The Power of Intent and Being Seen

Have you ever asked yourself, “Who am I, really?” Beyond your job title, your roles, and what others expect of you—what truly defines you?

In this month’s article, we dive into the powerful process of rediscovering identity—a journey that many women face as they move through different life stages. From childhood to career, from being a partner to becoming a parent, identity can shift and evolve. But is this transformation unique to women, or is it part of the universal human experience?

Understanding your identity is more than self-awareness. It’s about reclaiming your sense of self with clarity and intentionality. And when you act with intention, you build trust—within yourself and in your relationships.

Whether you’re navigating change, feeling disconnected, or simply seeking personal growth, this piece will resonate deeply.

Easter Eggs, Mandalas and The Self-Fulfilling Cycle

Have you ever noticed how people mirror the energy you give them? When met with trust, they rise. When met with suspicion, they shrink. Just like a mandala builds outward from its centre, our relationships are shaped layer by layer by the way we treat one another. This Easter, discover how your words, actions, and intentions create the emotional environments where people either flourish—or fade. Redraw your patterns. Rewrite your influence. Reflect the good.

The Power of Honesty in Autumn

Running a business is an exhilarating journey, filled with highs, lows, and everything in between. However, amidst the hustle, it is  easy to fall into a dangerous trap: masking the truth from yourself and others. Often, this happens if we are honest because we feel we need to maintain a perception of being “strong” and in absolute control. Whether it is sugarcoating problems, avoiding uncomfortable decisions, or seeking distractions, dishonesty—even in subtle forms—can quietly sabotage your success.

Take a moment to reflect: What uncomfortable truths do you need to confront? Start there because the businesses that thrive are not the ones that avoid complex issues; they are the ones brave enough to face them head-on.

A Good Cake versus a Fantastic Cake, in Business

It is the month of love and, coincidentally, my birthday month, so cake is at the top of my mind! I would love to say that I am the baker in our house, but honestly, I am not. Baking is an exact science with little room for deviation. While I enjoy baked goods—as many of us certainly do—I prefer the freedom that cooking provides. Perhaps that is truly entrepreneurial, and we should take note of it if we want to build something truly extraordinary and resilient. As a baker, transforming a basic recipe into something remarkable is an art. It is all about maintaining a delicate balance between the ingredients’ interactions while giving the cake a unique flavour or appearance.

A cake requires specific structural components to be functional. This conceptually raises an interesting question: Is every cake just another cake? And are the visually appealing ones necessarily the best? This contemplation has occupied my thoughts for the past few weeks, particularly in the context of business.

Taking the Magic of Christmas and Beach Sparkle into Your New Year

For me, a December holiday means a lot of sun, reading and beach time. So that is exactly what we enjoyed as a family. There is a sense of magic to it, the heat, the feeling of it on your skin and the sparkle you see on the grains of sand and in the water. It really is just magical. The problem is returning to the reality of the day-to-day. For most of us, this is difficult as we desperately try to hold onto that sense of peace and magic. But at some point, we need to return fully, and the experience of that is often one of sadness and a sense of loss. We leave something that we feel speaks to our soul behind. But I don’t think we should see it that way. We should fight with conviction to hold onto that magic.

Often, the more profound and fundamental issue is that we actually do not trust ourselves to make the changes required to fulfil these aspirations and bring that magic into the day-to-day. At its core, personal trust is about credibility. Without it, relationships falter, communication breaks down, and opportunities diminish. In a world where relationships drive success—both personally and professionally—trust is the currency of influence, collaboration, and fulfilment.  

The Art of Bonsai and the Growth of Business: Parallels in Patience, Precision, and Persistence

Bonsai is more than just a small tree in a pot; it is a centuries-old Japanese art form that represents balance, harmony, and control over nature through careful nurturing. At its heart, bonsai is about shaping, sculpting, and guiding a living organism to reach its fullest potential, but this can only be done with immense patience, foresight, and careful attention to detail.
In many ways, growing and managing a business mirrors the process of cultivating a bonsai tree. Both require strategic thinking, adaptability, and a long-term vision. In this blog, we’ll explore the fascinating parallels between the art of bonsai and the world of business and how lessons from one can enrich the other.