Pink
ISSUE 1 AUGUST 2021
CREATIVE•INSPIRED•INFLUENTIAL
"Industry Influencer" "Bubbling Under" "Be You Do You"
KIRSTEN HODGSON / THULELENI MBHANSA / CHANTELLE FORREST MYBURGH / RENE FOURIE / HELLEN MARIMIRA / NAOMI HOLDT
#SheIsPink
Letter From The Editor
I was reminded by facebook that it was a year ago today, 29th July 2020, when the concept of Pink was conceived. Like any birth process it has not been without its labor pains and aches. A lot of tears were shed but today I am overjoyed that the baby has been born and that she is finally here to share with the world. She is Pink is an extension of the Pink brand and a vessel to share the stories and testimonies of some phenomenal women, some of whom I have had the pleasure to meet and some who have made an incredible impact and left a footprint on my heart through the work they do. My desire is for this publication to offer inspiration and encouragement to women from all walks of life, Women intentional on becoming the best versions of themselves. We all have a unique story to tell and if I can offer you the slightest glimpse of hope then that's my part done in this world. Be inspired from their stories and create your own story for the world to see. We are all destined for greatness. Loads of Pink Love
Thabi
"Kirsten, if you want to stand with the boys, you need to know how to piss like them" - Lee Martin
SHE IS: INDUSTRY INFLUENCER The motor industry has always been seen as a male-dominated workplace but in recent years more women have started occupying their own space within it. It was refreshing to chat to a woman firmly positioned in the driver's seat of this fast and furious industry. Kirsten Hodgson is many things to many people, a mother, daughter, friend, cat angel, dealer principal, life coach, and mentor. Her everyday actions, words, and decisions inspire, impact and affect those around her.
Kirsten Hodgson: Dealer Principal - SMG North Coast
Nearly 19 years ago, Kirsten trail blazed her way through the motor industry, becoming the youngest female Dealer Principal at the age of 26 and today steers a tight ship as the first Female Dealer Principal for the Sean McCarthy Group (SMG) in the North Coast. Born and raised in the small town of Empangeni in KwaZulu-Natals North Coast, Kirsten was raised by a single mom and grew up in a safe and conducive environment, her grandfather and later, step father stepped in as positive male models in her formative years.
She detested sport and dissatisfied with her high school going experience, a head strong Kirsten dropped out in Grade 10. Determined to do it on her own she successfully completed her senior certificate through Intec. It was at the tender age of 17, that Kirsten started off at the front desk of a car dealership answering phones and doing administrative work. The more time she spent in this environment the deeper her desire to grow in it, Kirsten was certain of three things. She wanted to make money, she wanted to drive the cars in the showroom and she wanted to be in Durban. A far cry from the meteorologist she had aspired to become in her younger years, the seed would soon been planted in good soil.
Mentored by Lee Martin, a fellow woman in industry and inventor of Autobid, a paperless trade-in valuation app which was launched in South Africa in 2005. Kirsten says "Lee grew me up so quickly, and what I learnt from her was that although you're going to have to stand with the men you've always got to remain a lady, keep your composure and decorum" Sticking to these basics has helped her gain tremendous respect from your male counterparts. Men are naturally better in the motor trade, they know and understand the product better than women, but as a woman in a man's world, Kirsten believes that you have to get your hands dirty and be hands on. "You've got to do the hard stuff."
Forever an advocate for women Kirsten admits that sadly sometimes women tend to be their own worst enemies. Naturally women are more emotionally expressive than men, however in this industry its important to develop a male frame of mind and put the emotions aside. "It is however, equally important to note and appreciate that women are strongest when their emotion is needed and applied correctly. It is in those situations where we see women succeed" she adds Reflecting back Kirsten admits that she was "wild" in her younger years, and made her fair share of mistakes along the way. However the experience, she says, made her who she is today. Admittedly her own worst critic, incredibly overly process oriented, Kirsten has a process for the process, a trait that may raise an eyebrow, but one in retrospect that works to her advantage, especially when you consider the high level of risk involved in the trade.
By intentionally expanding her skill set and knowledge academically has ensured that she remains needed and valued within the trade. A certified life and business coach Kirsten believes consistency, discipline and moderation are fundamental keys to success. With a desire to inspire people to become better versions of themselves, she seeks to impart and impress the same principles and training she acquired from her mentor with young people and pass it forward. Living and working in an ego driven world, behind the scenes Kirsten has used her position and influence to be a voice to the voiceless in the lives of animals. Her love for cats has seen her champion for and actively support Project Feral Cat, an intiative and organisation that traps, sterilizes, and releases feral cats in the community while offering support to the "Cat Angels" that care for them.
Kirsten has successfully defined herself in a manner that distinguishes her from ordinary women. As we step into this month of August, we celebrate the industry influencer she is. She Is Pink!
“My life was simple, I didn’t grow up with the fancy things other children had, but at the time I lacked for nothing. It was only when I was older that I came to realise that I was actually poor" – Thuleleni Mbhansa
SHE IS: HARDWORKING From humble origins, Thuleleni and her siblings were raised by her late grandmother Jabulisiwe Nancy Dube nee Mthethwa, in Esikhaleni, a settlement on the outskirts of KwaZulu-Natals North Coast town of Richards Bay. A God fearing woman, her grandmother taught her to always choose the truth no matter who it made uncomfortable and to also be straightforward and concise, traits and values she abides by today. Thuleleni Mbhansa: Lawyer And Business Owner
Compassionate by nature Thuleleni knew that she wanted to help people when she grew up. Undecided between becoming a social worker or a doctor , it was during a science lesson at school, when her cousin convinced her to become a lawyer. A decision she today reflects back on with no regrets. The metaphysical sense and beckoning to practice medicine and heal others came calling a few years later when she worked as an adjudicator for The Council for Medical Schemes. A stint in her life where she felt more like a medical practitioner than a lawyer. “Many are our plans but God decides our path" she chuckles. A working mother to two young boys Mthunzi and Lenkosi, juggling her career, business and motherhood, Thuleleni admits the task is not easy. The demands of life and work, do not always make it possible to be available for them all the time, but open communication is key. “ The best way is to communicate with them. Be open, communicate and explain why you have to do what you do; you'd be surprised how understanding they can be” she says.
With 13 years experience in the legal fraternity, Thuleleni ventured out into the business sector and launched the Lifestyle Drip Lounge in Richards Bay. Lifestyle Drip Lounge offers Intravenous nutrient or vitamin drips which help to replenish energy, hydration as well as other health benefits. The intravenous administration of nutrients makes them more effective compared to when ingested orally.
As Thuleleni explains “You are guaranteed that all the vitamins you are taking are absorbed by your body because drips are administered directly into your bloodstream, as a result nothing is wasted, compared to when you take pills and they pass through your tummy, with no guarantee that all the vitamins are absorbed into your blood stream. To describe Thuleleni as just a hardworking woman would be an incomplete description. Her story is still to be written and this is merely an introduction. “All that I am, all that I have accomplished thus far and all that I am still to become, I owe to God.” This Women’s Month we celebrate Thuleleni Mbhansa. She is Pink.
No two women are the same, we are all unique in colour, shape, size, personality, gifts and talents, yet we are all here for a purpose. As long as you have breath your story is not over and its our responsibility to be the best version of ourselves.” Rene Fourie
SHE IS: FIT AND UPROOTED With more and more people making fitness a lifestyle choice, the wellness industry can authenticate that despite the covid 19 pandemic limiting consumer access to gyms, more and more fitness enthusiasts have shifted their perceptions towards online workout sessions and have embraced this method as a welcome solution to maintaining their mental well-being just as they would their physical health. A single mother to two teenage girls, Zoe 17, and Kady 15, Rene is a full time Master Personal Trainer and owner of Uprooted, a personal training business, based in Durban’s western suburb of Westville in KwaZuluNatal. Rene Fourie: Master Personal Trainer Born into an athletic family environment helped to foster Rene's passion for fitness and her career began in 1999. Over the years she took up position as PT Mentor at Physical IQ as well as Group exercise instructor and Master Trainer at Virgin Active S.A (Westville) “It has been an ongoing journey of growing, learning, making mistakes and getting better not only within the health and fitness industry but as a person too” she says.
In between parenting and training Rene is also a part time senior model for Extreme Model Management and serves as part of the worship team for her church, CRC Durban. “ I count myself blessed to be surrounded by amazing people and to be able to live a purposeful life”
Exercise means different things to different people and it could very well mean something different to you now than it did a couple of months or even years ago. For many the goal might be to look “sexy" but as Rene explains it is important to remember that human beings are not just physical, they are made up of mind, body and soul as such there has to be a balance in our entire being. “We need to become physically fit, mentally fit and spiritually fit in order to live our best lives”. A mandate she encourages through her Uprooted program. The Uprooted program includes a lot of innovation and Rene enjoys planning her sessions to look and feel different from the previous session. People have different fitness needs, as such Rene offers her clients individual plans. During consultation together they plan their journey ahead. “My “BETTER ME BUDDY Challenge” is a wonderful 8 week program that teaches clients to become better in mind, body and soul which does not stop after the 8 weeks are done, but continues for life.” The challenge is for anyone and everyone who wishes to live a healthy balanced life. Learning self care and self love is an important part of our lives. “As women we tend to give so much of ourselves to others and those we love, but the importance of prioritising ourselves and taking care of ourselves first is not a selfish thing but a responsibility to be able to be better for those we are connected to.” In the month of August we applaud women like Rene invested in the well-being of others. She is Pink.
Success is an art, and I am learning to master this art by finding the perfect balance between juggling diaper bags and laptop cases, I'm getting there.” – Hellen Marimira
SHE IS: BUBBLING UNDER
Statistics suggest that thousands of entrepreneurs start businesses every year. However after 4 years, more than 50 percent of those new start ups are gone. A good start is important to success and one way to achieve this is by identifying the right niche industries. Hellen Marimira: Balloons on the Bay
Zimbabwean born wife, mom and entrepreneur Hellen Marimira has always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Her first taste of the pie was in school where she purchased Valentines Day inspired gift items for $2s each and sold them at $15’s a piece. “The concept of 'buy low - sell high' came so naturally to me. I knew that an entrepreneur was something I was destined to become but I always aspired to the status quo of having a "real" job.” A Post Graduate in Business Management, Hellen struggled to find employment in line with her qualifications. One evening after a conversation with her husband he advised her not to be afraid to start out small, and so began her journey. “I am blessed to have a partner who believes in and is supportive of me. Support, especially from a significant other, is crucial to the success of a business. I am able to go to him to express ideas, and he provides constructive criticism in order to produce a successful business and foster our marriage.”
In January 2020 Balloons On The Bay was established, a mobile luxury balloon décor delivery company based in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. As Covid-19 made its way throughout the world, Hellen's very new and extremely niche balloon business would be tested to new frontiers. It was in understanding the limitations, knowing her own bandwidth and learning not to be impatient that helped her remain positive and on track during the highs and lows of the business lifecycle. “I now also understand the challenges of building a business and managing a family. In the beginning it was difficult to decide who to attend to first, a crying baby or a client call?” she chuckles. One of the biggest challenges facing a lot of female entrepreneurs is access to capital funding. Women have fewer assets than men and getting a loan to start a business can be difficult. “I had a hard time accessing funding for my ideas. Like most marginalised groups, we get funded based on our track records, not on potential beyond a shadow of a doubt.” Growing a business requires constant decision-making, as such mentorship is a crucial tool for any entrepreneurial experience. “I am currently looking for a business mentor. Finding the right support is another closed door for female owned businesses” she says. Inspired by the success stories of other female entrepreneurs, for Hellen seeing value in her work has been her biggest motivation. “Seeing my clients happy, their smiles and tears of joy with every delivery keeps me motivated.” Not everything has shaped out for Hellen as she had originally planned, but as she explains, her life experiences have added up to the person she is today. “Say yes to opportunities that are in line with your goals and interests and don’t hesitate when something presents itself that perhaps wasn’t always on your radar” Hellen has a quality of inspiration that is bubbling underneath the radar. Take notice of her. She is Pink.
“Food is culture, it's the vibe of any place you visit. You can't go anywhere without wanting to grab something to eat.” Chantelle Forrest Myburgh
SHE IS: SUSTENANCE Food means different things to different people. To be able to “break bread together” encapsulates the power of a meal to build relationships, bury hate, anger and evoke joy and laughter, and we should celebrate this.
Chantelle Forrest Myburgh: Chef And Restaurant Owner
Growing up Chantelle remembers her childhood home as a bustling hub for gatherings with friends and family. “A piece of chuck would come off the braai with some “satsa" and gravy. My father was from Rhodesia and my mother Afrikaans”.
During special family visits the sweet aroma of her Ouma’s famous banana bread would fill her home and when she was at an age where she could start preparing meals for her family, it was from her mothers recipes that she drew inspiration. “My mom had hand written recipe books that smelt like the 1980”s" she recalls. When both her parents were indisposed, taking over the kitchen became her therapy. “So when grade 11 came, I had two career options, either becoming a chef or a nurse”. The youngest in her family, and only one to further her studies post matric at the time, Chantelle’s father co signed on a student loan for her and she was accepted into the prestigious International Hotel School. Post graduation she worked in some of the worlds best chefs kitchens both locally and abroad, including Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, USA.
A few years later, a good friend approached her about partnering to open up a coffee shop, and so The Maple Café was born. Nestled in the charming urban center of Arboretum, in Richards Bay, the Maple Café is a unique coffee shop that has become a teaching hub with the Forrest Country Kitchen & Training running through it. By day the cafe offers a culinary experience for patrons and then after hours it charmingly transforms into Forrest Country Kitchen & Training offering fun engaging cooking lessons and classes for foodies young and old. A mother to 3 young boys Chantelle admits that the biggest industry challenge female chefs face is having children while trying to build their careers. “This is starting to change however, with more employers becoming more accepting and unbiased". From an early age food is connected to a number of emotions and social interactions. For most women, emotions have always played a role in their relationship with food, and chick flicks haven’t done much to dispel the notion. “Emotional eating only leads to more emotional cycles unfortunately. The saying "you are what you eat", is true”, she warns. As such the importance of conscious eating cannot be overemphasized. There is a general assumption that skinny people a healthier, but “being skinny isn’t the same as being healthy” she explains. “Have that cake slice, but then have a salad for dinner with loads of water. Never deprive yourself of food because it only leads to binge eating in the end" And when it comes to your children, “don’t project your own preferences onto your kids". Chantelle advises that children should be given food items in their original form as opposed to mashed, as this puts them off. “And if you struggle to get nutritious food into their tummies, try smoothies. It's the easiest way to hide the veggies” Of her three sons , two have a sensory processing disorder, which means meal times can get challenging. “I do not cook separate meals but rather encourage my boys to try two bites of something new and if they still insist they don't like it then I respect that”. We have all had our moments of joy with food, from trying out a new dish or cooking for your loved ones. Food is good, and if you are lucky enough, and you still have your grandmother’s old recipe box, add a Chantelle inspired twist to her “ Souskluitjies" recipe and dollop some sweet amarula cream with a hint of nutmeg instead of custard. Here’s to Chantelle, turning basic ingredients into “wow” meals. She is Pink
“People think I am a toughie, but I like to see myself more as an Armadillo. Rugged-looking shell and big shoulders for everyone around me, but on the inside I am actually just a soft and sensitive soul.”-Naomi Holdt
SHE IS: DOING HER BEST
Naomi Holdt: Psychologist and Speaker
Naomi grew up in a very strict home. “I don’t have the greatest childhood memories but I do know that everything we experience in life makes us who we are today, and for that I am thankful”. Today she is a psychologist, wife and mother to two children, by her own admission the mom – work balance is always hard to juggle.
“I have always been passionate about working with kids, and I have worked with them in various ways since the age of thirteen, running holiday clubs and teaching Sunday school lessons.” After high school she studied education and it was during her teaching years that she discovered her heart drawn towards pupils who were struggling. “That’s when I knew I had to do more, and I applied for my Masters in Psychology. I haven’t looked back since” she says. Children are a part of a family system, and the challenges they display are due to difficulties within relationships- most often with parents. Naomi advises that we cannot see the child as a ‘problem child’, we have to see how we can heal a ‘problem relationship’ and that takes more work from the parent than the child. “Knowing the power of a healthy parenting relationship makes me so excited- as most work with children is exactly about that”.
Everyone has their own parenting style, Naomi believes in the “Gentle Parent" approach. “No matter what our personalities are, our children only need a few things : to feel heard, to feel understood and to have a parent who really connects with them". Make your aim in parenting about connection. A good parent, she continues, recognizes the inevitable impact of their own “stuff" and baggage, most often carried on from childhood. “We need to sift through that dirty bag ourselves and chuck out the trash in order to give our children the best chance of a happy and uncontaminated childhood. Being a woman comes with its own challenges, and women and mothers tend to be extra hard on themselves, something about the female gene that hasn’t been fully explored. “We feel we need to compare ourselves to others all the time, and in doing that, we always fall short. Why? Because we are not comparing ourselves to reality”. Self compassion she says begins with learning to love ourselves as we are and learning to embrace our humanity. “No one is perfect". “Don’t ever let anyone or anything , yourself included, hold you back from being exactly who you want to be. ANYTHING is possible. Don’t clip your wings girl, spread them, recognize their awesomeness and see how high you will fly.” - Naomi Holdt, She is Pink.