Page 21 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023

If there’s one thing that I can say is that momentum is everything.

Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, just get up and start doing something.

Meshika commented, “It brought a whole set of new rules, the 2021 looting, their Debonairs’ franchise received the
Director CMM Group of Companies
a whole set of new trading conditions. We had to learn very Franchise of the Year regional award, and their Sorbet
fast. You had to be agile, you had to learn how to adapt very
eshika David is a director at the CMM Group franchise received the KZN Salon of the Year award.
of Companies which operates a network of fast and you had to learn how to respond to the market.” This recognition said Meshika is, “Testament to putting
M franchises. While they managed to successfully meet these demands your hand to the wheel and getting back, because
and changing consumer habits, their challenges were
Meshika’s initial background was in the corporate you don’t have to compromise on excellence, even in
environment, but she decided to join her husband in the not over. In 2021 the civil unrest, resulted in the loss of the rebuilding.”
CMM Group. After developing a passion for the industry, seven stores. Overcoming this setback was a daunting
she helped facilitate the growth of their company from one task that tested her on multiple levels – emotionally, Forging a brighter tomorrow
franchise to a network of 12 franchises, these being primarily physically, and financially. Meshika’s future goals are to continue to expand their
Debonairs, Steers and Fishaways brands with Famous Brands. “We watched the destruction on camera. And you spent network of franchises. They recently opened a new store
Over the span of a decade, Meshika has faced an array of over 10 years building these businesses and in a couple which was their first township development. They have
challenges and celebrated numerous triumphs. Reflecting of hours you watch them being torn apart, which was another seven developments in the pipeline.
on her journey, she says that many aspects have contributed very devastating for us, to be completely honest,” said Meshika is highly passionate about economic development
to their success. However, Meshika says, “I think the most Meshika. “I think navigating through that was the greatest and thinks that we need to now change the narrative. The
important thing for me was to learn to embrace failure as challenge I personally have faced in business. I think the goal is to actively contribute to economic development and
much as I embrace success.” She commented that we should psychological scars will always be there.” inspire the private sector to play a more significant role in
not be afraid of failure, as if we allow ourselves to become uplifting the economy.
apprehensive about future growth due to past setbacks, we Rebuild their livelihood
can never move forward. “When I started acknowledging The province’s recovery process was long and arduous, In advising young women, Meshika emphasizes the
the fact that you have to be able to embrace those failures but Meshika and her husband realised they needed to importance of authenticity. She explains, “The first thing
in order to grow, it led to greater success and expansion of forge on if they wanted to rebuild their livelihood. that you should do every single day is strive to be the
the business.” highest authentic version of yourself. You don’t have to
Meshika explained, “If there’s one thing that I can say is be anybody else and that’s something that I strive to do
Meshika’s greatest cheerleader in her entrepreneurial that momentum is everything. Even if you don’t know every single day.”
journey is her husband, “Sometimes I think he thinks I can what you’re doing, just get up and start doing something,
walk on water, which I can’t,” she jokes. Meshika recounts because if you’re going to keep yourself in that space of Meshika finds her work-life balance by making time
that she has never felt hemmed in by a glass ceiling, devastation, you’re not going to move forward.” for nature, reading, and nurturing family relationships.
growing up in a supportive household, with a father who You’re not going to win at business, or anything else for
always believed in her ability to achieve anything. In addition, Meshika commented that their ability to forgive that matter, if you’re not winning at life,” she says.
and their sense of patriotism played a huge part in their
That both of the prominent male figures in Meshika’s life ability to move forward again. Demonstrating resilience She lives by a motto from her late father, “Knowledge
have held an unwavering belief in her capabilities has and determination the team re-established two businesses is power, silence is golden, and wisdom endures. Learn
played an instrumental role in her accomplishments. within one month of the devastation and just two months the necessary skills to succeed, don’t speak unless it is
“Their belief in me is what propelled me to actually believe to improve the silence and the wisdom that comes with
in things that I didn’t think I could have achieved initially.” later all seven businesses were up and running. experience allows you to excel.”
Despite the numerous challenges they have encountered, Meshika’s involvement in KZN Top Business Women is
Navigating challenging times the CMM Group of Companies has won numerous awards a source of immense pride and honour. She envisions
over the years. This year they have won the prestigious KZN using this platform to champion community economic
The past few years have presented a series of challenges Top Business Franchising Sector Award, along with the
for the CMM Group of Companies. The global Covid-19 development and encourage the private sector to
pandemic in 2020 necessitated the temporary closure of national Sorbet Franchise Partner of the Year Award. actively participate in elevating the economy. Her goal
their fast-food franchises and a whole set of challenges Their unwavering commitment to excellence remained is to inspire change and shift the narrative toward a
to be faced. evident where, despite the devastation faced during more prosperous and vibrant South Africa.

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