Page 59 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

Education is power, you need to start as soon as possible,

find your purpose and work on that.

Independent Entrepreneur sufficient and become independent. Consequently, involved dieticians, fashion designers and fitness
she says she has lived mainly on her own and started workouts. “I am passionate about empowering
ICAELA FAITH MEYER is a multitalented working when she was only fourteen years. “This has people through living a healthy, active lifestyle,
independent businessperson and entre- driven me to be ambitious, strive for great goals and and this became the reason for my involvement in
Mpreneur in several activities, mostly set high standards for myself.” lifestyle events,” she explained.
related to the health and fitness industry. A qualified Another person who has been an inspiration for Success depends on the individual
personal trainer, Micaela instructs groups and indi- Micaela in business and life is Rolene Strauss, a
viduals in Pilates, ballet and yoga. In addition, she is a former Miss South Africa winner as well as the Miss In Micaela’s view, women and men should generally
dietician and nutritional therapist. have the same approach to business. “Women
World in 2014. Rolene inspires Micaela because she do however need to be a bit more subtle and
Along with being an event planner and coordinator, has done much to empower many women through more focused on personal relations, rather than
Micaela does marketing on behalf of organisations giving back to the community and uplifting people, just financial wealth,” she says. In addition, Micaela
and does business networking, mainly through the especially women, though her various organisations believes that women have the same ambition and
Upper Highway Pure Lifestyle page. and by her general example. “I share Rolene’s values drive as men in the business world and that success
about health, business, and life,” commented Micaela.
An independent, self-sufficient woman depends on the individual.
More than a fitness instructor
Micaela is an unusually self-sufficient person, who In reflecting on her achievements, Micaela says
has had to help herself to get to where she is today. Micaela started her working career by working for a that she is happy to have reached the place where
She remarks, “Nobody really helped me, I mostly non-profit organisation in the Drakensberg. “At least she is, and also happy about where she is going.
had to work things out for myself. I built the right in part because I loves being outdoors in nature, and “There is still much left that I want to achieve, and I
connections to get where I am today by following I am an adrenaline junkie,” she commented. have big things planned for 2020, especially in terms
my passion along life’s unpredictable paths.” of event coordination.”
In so doing, Micaela immediately realised that she
She has had to recognise or create her opportunities wanted to work with people and empower them. She is planning and organising a major lifestyle
and describes these as “blessings aligned with her She decided to get involved with the health and expo to take place during October 2020 at “The
purpose”. She adds that enjoying what she does has fitness industry, and studied aromatherapy, nutrition Venue”, a wedding and conference centre in the
also helped her along the way. and completed several other courses. Shongweni area.

Micaela’s independence started at a very young Micaela worked at Cotswold Downs where she Micaela believes that she has achieved a work-life
age. Her father works for non-profit organisations did personal training, and instructed yoga and balance even though work is her main focus. “I enjoy
internationally. This work takes place mostly in rural Pilates groups. A position at Fit 24 Gym in Waterfall most things considered as work, like instructing
communities where he participates in community followed, where, in addition to instruction classes, Pilates, ballet, and yoga. I instruct and work out every
and social development initiatives and makes she undertook marketing for the gym as well as morning and evening, but make sure that I have time
participatory videos. small businesses in the area. Micaela worked closely for myself – I usually rests on a Sunday.”
with Strut Active, an active clothing brand offering
Her mother is a paramedic. Micaela says of her, “She is There are no limitations
the hardest working woman that I know. Regardless swim and dancewear. Along the way she also If she could go back in time and give her younger
of her age, she works 24/7. My mother is more of an managed the DMA gallery and gained experience self advice, Micaela would confirm that there are no
inspiration to me than anyone else.” dealing in art. limitations to what she can do. She would add that
During 2018 she started doing event planning and
Micaela adds that her parents were “very hands-off” “Education is power, you need to start as soon as
meaning she had to grow up very quickly, be self- co-ordinated a big event at Cotswold Down that possible, find your purpose and work on that.”

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