Page 23 - Standard Bank KZN Top Business Women 2021

Embrace change as an opportunity to learn, to improve,

to make a difference in others’ lives as well as in your own and to grow.

Managing Director, Imperial Armour wanted to make an impression on them and for them to We inspire confidence in them to do better and to become
be proud of me.” stronger beings in themselves. What is also important
is that when employing women of the community, you
ouisa Garland is the managing director of Louisa started Imperial Armour in a garage in Kloof.
are not just employing them, you are employing their
Imperial Armour, which was established In 2008 the company moved to Westmead, Pinetown,
children, their families, and their friends. So, when they
21 years ago. Being a woman owned company which is where all of the personal protection equipment
feel empowered themselves, they can share that message to
Lin the security industry, Louisa is an is manufactured.
the people that they know. And that is what I believe in.”
inspiration to her staff.
Succeed through learning
The result of this ethos is that the company’s retention
She takes a proactive approach in being actively involved
The biggest challenge that Louisa experienced when she of production staff members is very high. Many of the
with all aspects of the company. Louisa is continually
first came to South Africa was to make someone believe employees have had between seven and fifteen years of
motivating her staff and is continually finding new
that an English lady who has come from overseas can service at Imperial Armour.
ways and innovative ideas to keep the company moving
make and sell body armour. “For the first year and a half
forward and evolving to keep up in changing times. In advising other people entering the business world,
I did not do very well. But I succeeded through learning
Louisa’s journey began 21 years ago when she left and growing in confidence. On this incredible journey, the Louisa would say, firstly, believe in yourself and secondly,
Belgium to come to South Africa to assist her father more knowledge that I had, the more confident I became, to have passion to carry out your goals and the motivation
who was running his own company making body which resulted in people believing in me,” says Louisa. to never give up and keep on going.
armour. Unfortunately, a month before she arrived
“It doesn’t matter how many times you stumble; you can
At this precise moment in this journey, Louisa is in a
here, with her two children and their father, the
get up and you can keep on going. By having that desire
fantastic position because the company is doing extremely
company went into voluntary liquidation. It was then
and that drive to succeed, you will be able to do it. Never
a question of whether to return to Belgium, or to well. Imperial Armour has doubled its turnover from last
stop learning; to me it is really important to continually
establish a new company. year to this year and has orders flooding in and has clients
grow yourself within.”
who are supporting them.
Life changing chapter
Love yourself
“We are in a beautiful space. What is even more exciting is
“Coming to South Africa, was already such an exciting
that I can still see even more light ahead,” explains Louisa. In order to have a work life balance, Louisa loves
prospect and I knew I was ready for the challenge! So
“I just feel so confident for our future.” redesigning both her home, with new colours and using
Imperial Armour was born!” explained Louisa. “It was
obviously a hard road, as firstly, because I knew nothing The fact is that she is now employing people in different different furniture, as well as her garden. One of her
about body armour; nor manufacturing! I was living regions of South Africa. Apart from KwaZulu-Natal, passions is to buy a property and completely renovate it to
in a new country; with no friends or family, but I felt this includes employees in Gauteng, Cape Town, and the make it look beautiful.
inspired. It was also an incredible life changing chapter Eastern Cape. An operations manager has recently been “I love spending time with my daughters, and I now have
of my career.” appointed and the Imperial Armour staff complement a grandchild who I am spoiling rotten. I love to scuba dive.
has grown from 15 to 35 in one year. As Louisa strongly
Louisa comments that much of her journey has been self- I love reading and learning new things. I love travelling
believes that women should be empowered, 98% of the
driven as she believes in herself and her abilities. She was and I am a real adventurer when it comes to exploring new
staff are women.
also inspired by the need to support her daughters. After places,” she added.
one year of living in South Africa, their father went back Inspiring confidence
In conclusion, says Louisa, “If you at times find it difficult
to Belgium, so the family was alone.
One of the strengths of Imperial Armour is that Louisa, to get back on your feet, remember to love yourself.
She explains, “I was incredibly excited to go along this in addition to believing in herself, has also instilled the Remember to do those affirmations in front of the mirror
journey and while it was daunting and I was afraid, I still same values in the people that work for her. “I believe that and to say, ‘I - love – you’. How you love yourself is how
had my two beautiful children, Lara and Emily, and I training is extremely important so that we grow people. you teach others how to love you.”

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