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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.

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.

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.  

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.

For entrepreneurs, starting and growing a business can be compared to tending a veggie garden. Both processes involve patience, strategy, and consistent nurturing to yield long-term success.

have been in business for almost two decades, and for a moment there, I really thought I had seen it all! I was at the top of my mountain and very cosy up there. However, I have been humbled these last few months. I have been through trying times before, but this was like an earthquake. Not that I have ever been in one, but I would imagine it feels something like this. Around every corner, there have been problems to solve. Significant changes were calling for agility. Sometimes, on our business journey – we need to undo and redo our businesses and ourselves. It is a lot of work and effort, but sitting back and looking at the finished picture, well, that is exhilarating. So, if this sounds familiar, hang in there; it will be worth it!

In times of economic hardship, businesses face challenges that test their resilience and adaptability. We have just returned from the election polls in South Africa. The uncertainty of the unprecedented outcome has been felt throughout society and in our pockets. While this can be daunting, it also presents invaluable lessons that can strengthen a business’s foundation and prepare it for future uncertainties. It could serve as a valuable opportunity to adjust or even to measure impact and relevance.

In South Africa, many businesses are family-owned and operated, with ownership often passing from one generation to the next along the male line. Traditionally, this means that many women support their fathers, brothers, and spouses in the business. Although this sounds familiar or even “as things should be” situation, managing a family business involves navigating complex personal and professional relationships. Be that as it may, family businesses are more than that – they are central to the reality of many families. It is not just another business; it goes to the very core of financial prosperity and home dynamics.

It is indeed a complex situation, but let’s add another layer of complexity, one that we rarely hear ventilated until we are in a courtroom. What happens when a woman is the leader instead of a man? Perhaps, let me put it bluntly, it is when a woman employs her husband, partner, father, or brother.

The issues this brings is a shared responsibility to address, it refers to how we raise our children and support our friends and families that find themselves in the grips of this reality. If we get this right, this will not only benefit the women at the helm but also strengthen the family business sector and the family unit as a whole.

We all face difficult times in business, which can be likened to surviving a tsunami. These trying times may result from external factors such as economic circumstances or internal changes where employees are not performing as they once did. During such periods, the legal and structural framework of a business is put to the test. Leaders, especially those in small organisations, feel the challenges more acutely and are tested in their capacity to handle them. Here are a few lessons i have learnt.

Once you decide and embark on the entrepreneurial journey, you may face unique challenges that your friends and family may not fully understand. We have to stay strong because people are watching. Especially during difficult times, when everyone else is relaxing or staying at home, we may find ourselves working long hours, sacrificing personal time, and missing out on social events. If you can relate to what I’m saying, then you know how difficult and unpleasant it can be. It’s either rock bottom or a critical shift, but either way, it’s not easy.