In a world that often rushes past the quiet beauty of everyday life, finding rituals that root us in inspiration and balance is an art in itself. For South African creatives and entrepreneurs, those sacred pauses—whether it’s a morning walk, a moment of stillness, or the spark of a new idea—become the foundation for building businesses with both soul and substance.
In this intimate Q&A, we step into the journey of a visionary who has woven creativity, innovation, and heart into every venture—from photography to The Local Edit and now, a thriving platform for art. With a devotion to creating beauty, uplifting women, and challenging conventional ways of thinking, she reminds us that success is not only about achievement, but about integrity, kindness, and the courage to dream big.
Here, she shares the daily practices that keep her grounded, her passion for empowering women in South Africa’s creative landscape, and her vision for shaping the future of storytelling and entrepreneurship.
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Do you have a daily ritual or practice that helps you stay inspired and aligned in both your personal life and business journey? We are HERE for all your incredible artwork! Honestly, my “ritual” is pretty simple. I love taking a long walk with our dog, Jasper. Once my two young kids are off to school and the house is a bit quieter, I make a second cup of coffee and just sit for a moment to enjoy the peace. I wish I could say I have a beautifully elaborate morning routine, but the reality of a mom with young kids is that if I can steal a few quiet moments, I take them! A nice long walk or a Pilates class is a bonus, to be honest. Those little pockets of calm help me feel grounded and inspired for the day ahead.
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Through your various ventures - from photography to The Local Edit and now Art - how are you using your platforms to make a meaningful difference? I’ve realized over the years that I have a few core messages I want to put out into the world, even if it wasn’t initially intentional. At heart, I believe in beauty and creating beautiful things, because beauty adds value. Whether it’s something small in your home – like a simple bunch of fresh herbs in a pot – or a beautiful, nutritious meal, or a piece of art, it’s all about bringing beauty into everyday life. If I had to summarize my mission, it would be creating and building value through beauty. I’m also very driven by innovation. I love challenging industry standards and conventional ways of thinking – aiming for more substance and value, and less frivolity. For example, during my time as one of the first female lifestyle photographers, building The Pretty Blog and later during my time at The Local Edit I always like to challenged the status quo by creating ‘space’ for local artists and designers to reach consumers easily, rather than the old fragmented way. Across all my ventures, I try to ask “how can we do this better or more meaningfully?” By pursuing creativity, quality, and innovation in everything I do, I hope I’m making a positive difference and adding real value for others.
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What is your vision for empowering and uplifting women in South Africa and beyond, particularly in the creative and entrepreneurial space? I love supporting women-led businesses that equip other women with skills. For example, I recently had a wonderful conversation with textile artist Ronel Jordaan, who creates gorgeous felt artworks and has trained a team of women in the art of felting. I see the same approach with brands like Pichulik (a local jewelry brand) and Hannah Lavery (a fashion label), Kat van Duinen and with my friends Michelle and Lindi from The Mill. These are all cases where women are training other women to thrive, gain financial independence, support their families, knowing it takes time and hard work to get there. It’s truly life-changing to witness. My vision is to keep championing and amplifying these kinds of initiatives. When women invest in the growth of other women, especially in creative industries, we build a powerful cycle of empowerment that can uplift communities. I want to use my platforms and voice to highlight these stories and hopefully inspire many more like them.
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In your experience, what qualities define a successful businesswoman who leads with both confidence and kindness? In my experience, a few key qualities stand out for a successful businesswoman who balances confidence with kindness:
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Integrity: Always operate with honesty and strong moral principles. This builds trust and respect, which are the foundation of lasting success.
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Confidence: Believe in your vision and abilities – playing small does not serve the world. Leading with confidence (while avoiding arrogance) inspires others to believe in you as well.
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Ownership & Accountability: Take ownership of your projects and responsibilities. I personally struggle to be part of something if I can’t take full ownership of my role. I also believe in “counting the cost,” which to me means carefully considering the impact and responsibilities of any venture before diving in.
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Relationship-Building: Invest time in genuine relationships within your industry. A successful leader uplifts others and creates networks of support. Confidence and kindness together foster loyal teams, collaborators, and communities.
By focusing on these qualities, a businesswoman can lead in a way that is both effective and uplifting to others. I’ve found that integrity and a supportive attitude do not weaken your leadership – if anything, they amplify your impact.
5. How are you shaping (or wanting to shape) the future of creative entrepreneurship and storytelling in South Africa? By example and through my work, I’m trying to show South Africans that we don’t need to play small. We have immense challenges in our country, yes – but with those challenges comes a wealth of opportunities, and that is truly magical. Through the platforms I’ve created (like The Local Edit and my content channels), I aim to give local creatives a bigger stage and encourage them to dream big. I want to inspire a new generation of creative entrepreneurs and storytellers to innovate, to embrace our unique South African perspective, and to realize that our stories and products can compete on a global stage. It’s about changing mindsets: instead of feeling limited by our circumstances, let’s see the potential in them. For me, shaping the future means leading with optimism and showing what’s possible. Every time I spotlight a local designer or share a South African story with the world, I hope I’m paving the way for others to follow and helping our creative industry grow in confidence.
