Regional Business Achievers Awards

Winners 2003

Johannesburg

Congratulations to the Johannesburg Winners!

Start Up Category

Kim Keel

Kim Keel is the Managing Member of Belle Regalo - a corporate gifts company she started in February 2001. Having been involved in the corporate gift industry either from a supply or purchasing basis for over eight years, Kim was frustrated by the endless range of catalogues that categorised clients into a budget driven purchasing decision.

Belle Regalo prides itself on adding creativity to their clients gifting options. In many cases, by creating a solid gifting strategy that matches the client spend to their profile, you can achieve a greater impact with the same budget.

"We are not another supplier of corporate gifts - Belle Regalo is your partner in providing gifting solutions that will assist you in managing your clients."

Belle Regalo is also committed to supporting women in the community and actively promotes suppliers that provide income-earning potential to women through their projects. With every hand made box or beaded work purchased, you know that they will be purchased from a local non-profit organisation that trains women in the community to provide them with income producing skills.

"Our hand-painted ceramics are purchased from a disabled lady whose life was dramatically changed after a severe accident. It has been a struggle of many years to put her life back together, including hours of physical rehabilitation and operations. Her work was short-listed for the Harrods Catalogue section, so you are ensured of a top quality product. These products are made to order and can incorporate your corporate colours."

Keel joined the BWA for its networking opportunities as it provides her with the opportunity to do prospecting. "It is difficult to start prospecting with a young child in the background, so these meetings are ideal for me."

Entrepreneur Category

Anne Pratt

Anne Pratt is not only a member of the BWA, but is this year's winner of the BWA Gauteng Regional Business Achievers Award for the 'Entrepreneur Category'. Anne's success began with the inception of an international executive search and selection company five years ago. Anne is recognised as a key role player in transformation and it is her vision to place more executives on boards particularly women and black executives.

Earlier this year, Anne Pratt & Associates was awarded the contract for executive search assignments by the Office of the Presidency.

Anne participates regularly in leading business school and university panel discussions to share her passion for world-class entrepreneurship and the role of executives with a particular emphasis on cultural and gender diversity. To ensure the transformation process is successful, Anne has re-positioned her business to provide coaching and mentorship support to candidates with high potential. The need for executive support and development arises from our South African history, and the lack of opportunity to gain relevant experience and skills in our economy.

Anne began her career with Lever Brothers, Unilever as part of their graduate recruitment programme. She progressed through the ranks of Trade Marketing and Marketing. During this time, she also lectured at Natal University, Durban, in Consumer Psychology. She joined a major advertising agency, McCann Erikson, where she ran the retail agency. She has turned around several of her own ventures including fashion clothing and a restaurant. After completing her MBA, she was Marketing Executive and sat on the Management Board of one of the Altron companies, a major JSE listed company. She is also a member of the Institute of Directors.

Anne holds a Social Science degree from Natal University (Economics, Industrial Psychology), an Honours degree in Psychology and an MBA degree from the University of the Witwatersrand. During her MBA she won the Nedcor award for the full-time student who made the most outstanding contribution to business. Her thesis opinion was published in Finance Week. She was approached by the Chairman of the Businesswoman of the Year Committee, as a nominee for the 1998 Businesswoman of the Year awards. In 2002 she was nominated and was in the top 10 finalists of the 2002 Businesswoman of the Year Awards for the successful track record of Anne Pratt and Associates, and is this year's winner of the BWA Gauteng Regional Business Achievers Award for the 'Entrepreneur Category'.

Professional Category

Claudia Noble

The daughter of a Baptist Minister and Circuit Inspector of Education for the Eastern Transvaal, Claudia Noble was born in Boksburg on the East Rand and raised in Johannesburg. She matriculated with exemption from McAuley House Convent, where she was awarded the McDaniel shield for First Class Passes throughout High School.

She graduated with a B.Com, LL.B at the University of the Witwatersrand and was admitted as an attorney in 1993 after completing her articles at one of the top Johannesburg Law firms, Werksmans. In 1994 she was one of the first black women to be admitted as a conveyancer to practise in South Africa. And, since 1995, her office has effected more than 20 000 transfers of houses to underprivileged families and established 22 new townships throughout the country.

Claudia has pioneered the concept of "community orientated conveyancing", which takes conveyancing out of the sterile environment of the law office and brings it to the community by setting up offices in informal settlements, training, employing and empowering persons within the communities.

Claudia has served as a member and director of a number of organisations whose missions have been to promote black entrepreneurship in the housing sector and of women in all aspects of housing provision. Furthermore, she encourages the employment of the disabled and her vision for 2004 onwards is the establishment of an Adminstrative Centre with 60 per cent ownership and participation by disabled persons and the transfer by her own practice of 80 000 properties to underprivileged families.

Durban

Congratulations to the Durban Winners!

Entrepreneur Category

Cindy Norcott

Studentemps & ProAppointments

Cathy Yuill (BWA Chairperson), Cindy Norcott & Jenny Goddard (Area Manager for Nedbank Professional Banking)

Cindy is the founder of Studentemps & Proappointments, a recruitment agency that specialises in placements in IT, office support, accounts and student placements. Cindy started her company nine years ago with very little capital and now employs nine staff. In June she took over the KZN Training Centre and plans to offer additional services like networking opportunities, a business book club and business training courses.

Professional Category

Susan Abro

Attorney

Cathy Yuill (BWA Chairperson), Susan Abro & Jenny Goddard (Area Manager for Nedbank Professional Banking)

Susan Abro is the co-chairman of the Law Society of South Africa, vice-president of the Kwazulu Natal Law Society and Secretary of the International Bar Association's Family Law section. Susan has her own practice as an attorney and employs a staff of two and is one of three partners in a firm. Susan is committed to the promotion and advancement of women within the legal profession.

Cape Town

Congratulations to the Cape Town Winners!

Entrepreneur Category

Dr Susan Vosloo

Heart Surgeon

Dr Susan Vosloo & Willie Swanepeol, Nedbank

Professional Category

Jackie Leone

Leo Foods

Jackie Leone & Mike Thompson, Nedbank

Pretoria

Congratulations to the Pretoria Winners!

Start Up Category

Mpu Mentoor

Entrepreneur Category

Andrea Rademeyer

Professional Category

Dr Annemie Shuda

East London

Congratulations to the East London Winners!

Pat Norris, Dr Namane Magau, Tracy Dutton & Colleen Martin

Start Up Category

Pat Norris
Sisters

Sisters was born of a dream, a dream to create a store where women of all ages could feel comfortable while shopping.

The dream began in March 2001 when I announced to my sisters that I was going to open a clothing store. My sister Janey re-acted "Me too", bence the name Sisters - a natural choice. Our perfect premises became vacant just at that moment in time and the final piece of the puzzle came to the fore via Lesley Pelser, an experienced boutique saleslady who came aboard.

Acknowledging dreams is one thing but putting them into action is another. Financing a capital gobbling venture such as a clothing outlet, is challenging - hence my graying bank manager.

We opened for business on the 15th August 2001 and the response to our little store was hugely encouraging. More that that, I believe we achieved what we set out to do - women of all ages have come in and keep coming in to shop - mothers and daughters shopping together, is clear evidence of what we intended for Sisters.

In June 2002 my Sister and I parted due to pressures of her swim school - we realized we are not super women.

In June 2003 I was nominated for Regional Business Achievers Award in the start up category, which was a huge compliment and an even bigger acknowledgement when I won the category. This award not only advertised my business but it gave me courage and re-assurance that I was on the right track.

The plan for 2004 is just as exciting - we are expanding - we are going upstairs.

In closing, I wish to encourage all women to join the Businesswomen's Association, to stand together and to support each other.

Entrepreneur Category

Colleen Martin
Kumon Masterminds

What is the nature and history of your business?

I run an after-school supplementary Mathematics and English programme for children from the ages of three (3) through to adults. The programme had its origins in Japan 45 years ago although it has only been in South Africa approximately 11 years. I have been running my centre / business for seven-and-a-half years.

Nationally, my centre has rated in the top 3 for the last few years, and in the top 200 internationally. This rating is based on size. There are currently approximately 400 centres nationally. Kumon is represented in more than 40 countries and there are thousands of centres worldwide. (Kumon centres are operated on a franchise basis.)

What particular achievements are attributable to you and your company in the past year?

Despite being rated as the poorest socio-economic area in South Africa, I have maintained a low attrition rate. In business terms, it indicates sustainability at a time when the market has been depressed.

Personally, I was once again chosen as a representative of Kumon South Africa to travel to an international conference in Brazil. Brazil was celebrating their 25th anniversary in Kumon.

I also presented a research paper at our National conference in July, 2002 on the correlation between Kumon students performances and their placement in the top 10 of their class and/or grade at school. The research was conducted on a national sample of students.

What obstacles did you need to overcome to start and build your business?

Being a teacher, I had not ever had to develop any real business skills. The obstacles that I had to overcome included becoming a marketer, a personnel manager, a bookkeeper, a secretary, a negotiator, a motivational speaker, and probably, the biggest obstacle of all, was to believe in myself!

What corporate or personal social responsibility programmes are you involved in?

Many years ago, as part of a staff development workshop, we were asked to share a dream with our colleagues. It had to be something that we had never uttered to anyone else before. Mine was to find a way to 'revolutionize' the teaching of mathematics in South Africa. It is my absolute belief that the only difference between our students here in South Africa and our Asian and European counterparts, is that mathematics is taught differently. Our poor scores as compared internationally are not indicative of inferior intelligence!

In an endeavor to help improve children's grasp of this subject, I spent approximately 18 months working with one of the local primary schools to re-work their mathematics syllabus. One has to be patient for the tide of time to flow to be able to truly evaluate the end product in this case. It is my sincere wish that this working model will be used to benefit all schools around the Eastern Cape.

Apart from providing bursaries which offer students the opportunity to study Kumon at my centre, I have recently become involved in the LIFT association at the Trinity Methodist Church, East London. This group is essentially involved in raising funds to fund bursaries and offer assistance to people for educational pursuits.

Professional Category

Tracy Dutton

Architect

Tracy Dutton, who graduated as an architect from the University of Port Elizabeth, is the founder of Tracy Dutton Architect & Interiors, a practice which embraces the disciplines of Architecture and Interior Design. "During my years of architect-in-training, I came to the conclusion that there was the opportunity to broaden the professional service offered to clients. This involved the marrying of the interior and exterior of buildings, which most architects were not interested in involving themselves with."

The practice offers a full range of services encompassing the analysis of the clients needs, conceptual design and presentation documentation, production of working drawings and details, project management and site inspection. "On numerous projects, our multi-disciplinary approach has proved to be a service which our clients find invaluable. Instead of involving numerous consultants, the client is able to deal with one professional. The practice is however also available to handle the disciplines separately and work side by side with other professionals."

"My basic vision is to provide clients with exciting projects through the use of innovative design coupled with a rapid response to their needs. Our commissions have included schemes for both local and national clients on a wide variety of projects."

"We strive to build good relationships with our clients and fellow consultants, and encourage all to participate fully in the design process. We are committed to viewing projects from our client's perspective, and we believe that this is essential in the development of an effective and successful design."

Port Elizabeth

Congratulations to the Port Elizabeth Winners!

Start Up Category

Olga Hafner

Meridian Wines

Olga Hafner has been in the wine industry for over 20 years with SFW, building up an excellent reputation with her customer base both local & international. Olga started her own company Meridian Wines in May 2001. Meridian Wine Merchants market and distribute premier wines to the on & off consumption outlets ie Hotels, restaurants and bottle stores in the Eastern Cape from Umngazi River Bungalows to Mossel Bay.

The farms / estates / brands they represent has grown from 12 labels to 27 including the prestigious estate Meerlust. Olga was chosen as consultants to distributors Internationally including Bazeruto, Tanzania, Europe, Germany, Zimbabwe, Indigo Bay and have extended their distribution to include Border's Wild Coast.

Olga consulted on a Diner's Club Winelist which won the National award for Best First Entry. She further consulted on numerous winelists entered in Diner's Club and every one received an award.

Olga has been appointed the sole supplier/consultant for the Mantis Group, Dream Catcher Group & Osner Group of Hotels.

Amongst Olga's many attributes she is Chairman of Club 100,Board member of the Opera House handling the fundraising portfolio, has her own Radio Talk Show on getaway destinations & restaurants - promoting tourism in our area. She sponsors the bi-weekly "Eating Out" column in the Weekend Post - awareness for restaurant, excellent guide for discerning diners, Trains waitrons at all restaurants on wine & trains and lectures gratis on wine knowledge & etiquette. She sponsors many community projects with wine - Valentines, Xmas in June, Hospice Retinal Society, Rotary, Lions & Aids.

Entrepreneur Category

Patti Coetzee

Siyaya Skills Institute Eastern Cape, Wetrok Eastern Cape

Patti Coetzee is a highly successful businesswoman, who despite tremendous odds has remained true to herself, discovered a depth within herself which she would not have uncovered had it not been for circumstance and as a result has a profound impact on the lives of those she interacts with each day. Her success story is truly inspirational.

Wetrok Eastern Cape - Sales Service & supply of industrial cleaning equipment, chemicals and consumables.

Siyaya Skills Institute Eastern Cape is the sister company to Wetrok registered in 2002. With the emphasis on skills development and the need for training in their industry, Patti as one of the founder members of the idea formed Siyaya Skills as a response to the need for skills development training in South Africa. Siyaya Skills Institute obtained institutional accreditation Nationally as a training provider last year. They offer skills development facilitation, drawing up of skills audits and workplace skills plans Assessors, moderators etc. Training on skills programmes and learnership.

Patti writes specifications on cleaning for Architects, contractors and FMC's. They offer systems and product knowledge training in Afrikaans, Xhosa & English.

Zululand

Congratulations to the Zululand Winners!

Start Up Category

Felicia Mkhwanazi

Fisokhule Multiserve

Entrepreneur Category

Morag Meyer

NRB Group

At a gala dinner on 24 July 2003, attended by Namane Magau, BWA National President, the winners of the 2003 Regional Business Achiever Awards were announced.

Morag Meyer (right) of the NRB Group was voted the winner of the Entrepreneur Category and Felicia Mkhwanazi (left) of Fisokhule Multiserve won the Start Up Category.

Our congratulations go to both of these women for their outstanding contributions made to empower women and to create positive role models for women who are determined to succeed in business.