Fazielah Allie, 50, grew up in Cape Town in the 1980s and is now majority shareholder and CEO of K9 pet foods, a manufacturer of premium foods for cats and dogs supplying major retail chains. She shares her inspiring story of climbing up a corporate ladder with only her Gr12, high school certificate, to becoming CEO of a company employing 120 people and a turnover of R120million to leaving that comfy job to buy a small business making an annual turnover of R2,8million employing 9 people in 2015.Her story is one that shows that being true to yourself is the best formula for happiness driven success. K9 Pet Foods is now a medium enterprise employing 52 people, hitting just over R20milllion annual turnover in the year ending June 2019 and on track to hitting over R30million turnover year ending June 2020.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Shayla was a professional cheerleader for a leading sports team in the USA, cheerleading is a sport in its own right and Shayla relied on high energy, high caffeine drinks to keep her going. The acidic nature of these drinks led to her developing a stomach ulcer…but she loves coffee. Enter Shay Latter Coffee!
So she decided to find a solution to her pain and developed a coffee that doesn’t hurt stomach linings and it also has another secret ingredient, volcanic ash.
We love our female food entrepreneurs and Shayla’s story and route to market will inspire someone who also a pain to address and can develop healthier food options.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Vivian Kaye – Most of us saw the ‘Good Hair’ documentary by Chris Rock examining the black hair industry in the USA. Through this we learned that similar to Africa, the hair care industry including extensions and accessories is owned by mostly Asians, and very little black participation especially in the extension market. Vivian’s Kinky Curly Yaki is North America’s leading premium textured human hair extensions. We learn how this Ghana-born now Canadian sister built her 7-figure dollar business, whilst keeping a lean personnel structure.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Rita Bunatal is a 25yr old entrepreneur who is UNAPOLOGETIC and FIERCE about her identity as an American of African descent. Born to a Ghanaian mother and a Kenyan father, Rita grew up in the States and started a fashion label whilst she was still in college. Malaika Apparel is a protest label that encourages young and old black people to be proud and claim their space. She even designs her own prints so that her clothes say exactly what she wants to say. She is a clear example of passion-driven entrepreneurship that works. Rita has gained work experience working for Shea Moisture, America’s leading black-owned natural cosmetic company that is also unapologetic about supporting and uplifting black women. Listen and be inspired!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download