The first time I got a hint that all was not well at work was when I read the press articles making a variety of serious allegations against my employers. Soon the building was flooded with auditors, the Financial Services Board (FSB) came in, and my boss withdrew completely. Before, she’d been quite involved, and very approachable and friendly. Suddenly, she operated only behind a closed door. Several senior operational staff members grew suspicious and left the company.
I was part of an amazing team of women who were selected to launch a high-profile women’s wellness centre in Century City, Cape Town. After spending five years working as a biokineticist at the Sports Science Institute of SA, I was invited to join the company to head up the women’s wellness division — encompassing a gym, spa, retail store and women-only events.
We were incredibly successful, with over 300 gym members in the first year to 18 months, and the spa was always fully booked. I gave my heart and soul to what I thought was the opportunity of a lifetime. It was a great start, and it was very satisfying and rewarding to see the members blossom in that environment. The women loved it, it was a retreat and a sanctuary where they felt secure and understood, where they could be themselves.
I remember some members arriving the first few times for workouts, shyly, in baggy pants and loose-fitting tops. Over the months, they were transformed into confident women, glowing, in cute little gym outfits, really enjoying themselves. As things became increasingly chaotic in the press and in the company, I chose to continue as best I could under the circumstances. I worked hard on the business. Members and staff came to me with questions — everyone wanted to know what was going on, and what was going to happen. It was very traumatic, but at that point, to the best of my knowledge, the whole thing was going to blow over, and it was business as usual.
My boss was in total denial. She never thought anything was amiss, and she never admitted anything was wrong. The situation continued and became untenable. I was no longer enjoying my position, I felt uncomfortable and resigned. Amid a media frenzy, I still had a month’s notice to work out. During that month, our boss called in the 60 or so staff members to say that due to the speculation that was going on, and the pressure from media and photographers outside their doors, she and her husband could not continue to operate the business. She did confirm we would be paid out. But of course, nobody was paid and things got progressively worse for the family and their several companies.
As the stories of corruption and fraud unfolded, it was utterly devastating to learn that my boss and her husband were accused of using illegally acquired money — money that may have been taken from widows and orphans — and that I was using this money to create this beautiful gym, was quite sickening.
After I left the company, I struggled not only financially, but emotionally too. It was very traumatic to know that I had invested so much in this venture, to see it all collapse around me. The people I had trusted and built this business with had betrayed me. We had built it with what was, allegedly, stolen money. I felt guilty, as if I had conspired in their plans. Because it wasn’t the usual kind of retrenchment, it wasn’t just about my income and the money, it was far more personal, and emotionally devastating. I was also very aware of my staff, and my responsibility to them. They literally had not a penny to their names. There was a sense of failure about it, and I lost my confidence. I took about a year to recover.
When the world as I knew it came crashing down around me, rather unexpectedly I was in a position where I had to think about what I was going to do next. A friend had decided to move to Australia and was looking for someone to take over her biokinetics practice.
Since I love a challenge, it seemed like the perfect thing for me. I started marketing myself, printed business cards, and used the invaluable marketing, management and financial experience I had gained at the wellness centre. It also helps that my fiancp, Nick, is a chartered accountant. The most important thing for me was to build relationships, and soon my practice began to fill up with referrals. In six months I had a full diary. I was doing 12 appointments a day and was exhausted but delighted!
I’ve since taken on two other biokineticists to help with the workload. I still do all the accounts and invoices for the practice, and see several patients each day. But I’ve also been able to indulge another passion of mine, and open a second business. I adore tea, and with several partners, I’ve started importing Revolution Tea to southern Africa, and opened a tea shop called Oolong Caf on Long Street in Cape Town. Our first batch of stock has all but gone, and it’s really taking off in Johannesburg and Namibia.
I enjoy spending a few hours a day there, getting involved in management, sales, marketing and strategy. While I had enjoyed the relative safety and security of full-time employment, and saw starting my own business as a risk I wasn’t ready to take and couldn’t afford, my forced retrenchment did push me into making my own way. What I had accomplished at the wellness centre gave me a sense that maybe I can take the risk — maybe I can do it. It’s very satisfying to be in control of your own destiny, rather than at the whim and mercy of an employer.
I think my personality, positive approach and dynamic nature have helped me use what was initially a crisis to my advantage. I try to be as positive as possible, and push myself. I have a few favourite quotes which have inspired me and helped me through tough times. I love this one by Anais Nin: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”
In terms of my businesses, it’s been so important to look at my competition and ask myself what I can do better, and what I can offer that’s unique. I try to go the extra mile. Building relationships really is the most important lesson in setting up on your own. Only when you’re under the kind of pressure you face when you’re retrenched do you know what you’re made of. You learn about yourself, and how resourceful and creative you can be. For me, being pushed out of my comfort zone has opened the door to the rest of my life.
Sally’s tips for setting up your own business
Find a career you’re passionate about, interested in and love doing every day.
Learn to sell yourself. Promote yourself and your strengths boldly but with humility.
Don’t be self-conscious.
Look the part, presentation is really important. Looking fit and healthy, neatly dressed and presentable can make the difference between your customers supporting you over your competition.
Financially, explore different avenues. Find the best banks and business loans for your needs.
Try to limit your risk.
If your business is a shop, its position is really important. Ensure you get the kind of foot traffic you want.
Organise some basic marketing, get business cards printed and make sure people know where to find you.
Be organised, on time and reliable.
Find people who have experience in what you’re trying to do. Ask for help, ask questions and get advice.
Do your research and find out about your competition, pricing in the market and so on. Are your profit margins going to be worthwhilei Asses hidden costs such as import duties.
Find balance in your life. Remember that exercise is the best stress reducer there is. It clears your head so you can digest what is happening in your career, think straight and create.
Most importantly, network. Your support group such as friends and family can open all sorts of doors for you. Bounce ideas off trusted contacts and call in their expertise.
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