“Good ideas are easily come by. The real skill lies in having the smarts and the courage to turn that idea into a successful business,’ says Suzy Brokensha, editor of Fairlady. “I have so much respect for the women who enter the Fairlady Women of the Future Awards. They have created the most extraordinary businesses. It’s extremely difficult to choose the finalists, and I think that’s a great sign for South Africa.”
The women in line for this award are over 25, and have been in business for longer than 1001 days. The finalists are: Jessica Bonin (Lady Bonin’s Tea), Katherine-Mary Pichulik (Pichulik), Khaya Cokoto (X Spark), Lauren de Swardt (Kids Emporium), Sarah Collins (Wonderbag), Sarika Modi (Triple Eight), and Tiffini Wissing (Old School Cool).
As for the Rising Star award, these young go-getters are 25 and under, and have been in business between six months and 1001 days. These finalists are: Lebo Mphela (Malia Nail Care), Liebre Eigelaar (FruitLips), Moyin Oloruntoba (The A1).
The panel of judges for the Women of the Future 2016 Awards include Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela; Santam director, Yegs Ramiah; Fairlady editor Suzy Brokensha, media entrepreneur and international speaker, Jo-Ann Strauss and TV presenter, radio host & MC, Leanne Manas. The winner of the awards, in partnership with Santam, will be honoured at a prestigious awards ceremony in Johannesburg in August.
The Fairlady woman of the future will be awarded R50 000 in cash, an invaluable mentoring session with one of the judges, a R3000 shopping voucher from Queenspark, a Sony Xperia Z5 & Sony tablet, an online course from GetSmarter worth R12 500, a Bamboo Revolution watch and an Issey Miyake (L`Eau d`Issey) hamper worth R7 880.
The Fairlady rising star will be awarded R20 000 in cash, an invaluable mentoring session with one of the judges, a R3 000 shopping voucher from Queenspark, a Sony Xperia M5 & Sony tablet, an online course from GetSmarter worth R12 500, a Bamboo Revolution watch and an Issey Miyake (L’Eau d'Issey) hamper worth R7880.
The 10 women and their businesses are featured in the August issue of Fairlady, on sale now.