From dedicated doctors and ambitious attorneys, to brilliant businesswomen and creative queens … no one hustles quite like these hardworking mamas!
KITA VEALE – HOMESTEAD DÉCOR
Homestead Décor is 8 years old and Kita’s biggest joy. Kita and her husband Brett have two boys aged 4 and 5. Biggest challenges to working moms? Balance. It’s something I still haven’t quite managed to get under control and honestly, it’s a juggle! And guilt … I feel I’m either letting down my kids, my hubby or my business.
Things you can’t live without? My Skyline coffee every morning after school drop off and my wonderful work assistant who I trust immensely.
Details: www.homestead-decor.co.za or [email protected]
CARYN OVERTON – DANDELION DESIGNS
Caryn has two girls aged 9 and 13. She loves the ocean and being creative and her interior design studio, Dandelion Designs, offers full turnkey projects in both commercial and residential spaces. Biggest challenges to working moms? Trying to be present when either working or ‘momming’. I don’t believe multitasking is a skill – it detracts from what you are trying to achieve both personally and professionally. Being present is a skill.
Things you can’t live without? My planner, my support structure of family and friends and coffee!
Details: 072 707 7016 [email protected]
www.dandelionsa.co.za, IG: dandeliondesignssa
SARISHA HARIPERSHAD – TORGA OPTICAL
An optometrist by profession, Sarisha juggles many crowns on any given day. She is an entrepreneur, boss, wife and mom to her feisty 6-year-old, Zara.
Biggest challenges to working moms?
My biggest challenge is finding balance between
work and family. Managing my daughter, taking
care of the family and juggling the responsibilities
of the home and my career, work commitments
and deadlines is challenging.
Things you can’t live without? Routine, water
and lots of hugs and kisses from my little girl
every morning.
Details: Torga Optical, Ballito Junction,
032 946 1416/7
KAYLA RICK – EARTH & ICE SMOOTHIES
Former professional dancer Kayla is a mom of twins and founder of Earth & Ice Smoothies that are super healthy and easy to make.
Biggest challenges to working moms? I am pregnant with our third child, so the first trimester was the biggest challenge to me (IYKYK)! Generally though, the struggle lies in wanting to be everything for everyone.
Things you can’t live without? My sons ‘day naps’ (won’t be around forever, so I’ll have to replace this with coffee!), coffee shops with internet and playgrounds and a work phone separate to my personal phone.
Details: @kaylalauren77, @earthandicesmoothies, 0790885134
TARA-LEIGH PUTTER – OPTOMETRIST
Tara-Leigh is an optometrist and co-director of Spec-Savers Umhlanga Centre, Spec-Savers Oceans Mall and Execuspecs Oceans Mall. She’s also a new mom to her 7-month-old baby boy, Cruz.
Biggest challenges to working moms? Finding time for myself after juggling work and home life – but my son’s smile makes it all worth it.
Things you can’t live without? I am blessed with an incredible support system held strong by my supportive fiancé, Dane (who helps me through the toughest times), work colleagues, family and our nanny.
Details: Specsavers Umhlanga Centre 031 561 4728, Specsavers Oceans Mall
031 476 0301, Execuspecs Oceans Mall 031 476 0302
KIRSTY STRYDOM – HUSTLE AND HEART COOKIE STUDIO
Kirsty Strydom is a wife, mom of two and foundation phase teacher. She also owns Hustle and Heart Cookie Studio, creating
royal iced cookies for any occasions.
Biggest challenges to working moms? My biggest challenge has definitely been learning to balance my time between work
and family.
Things you can’t live without?
A few strong cups of coffee, kindness and a good sense of humour!
Details: 073 2900734 (WhatsApp),
FB: Hustle and Heart Cookie Studio,
IG: hustleandheart.cookiestudio
DR MEGAN MEDINA – HOMEOPATH
Dr Meg is a homeopathic doctor with a special interest in fertility, maternal mental health and paediatrics. Her passion project is the her new IG page, @mothernourished, which is an online village for mothers.
Biggest challenges to working moms? Time to do all the things. Some days work takes preference, some days kids take preference, but often it’s the self-care (exercise/time out) that falls by the wayside.
Things you can’t live without?
Yoga, chats with friends to chat and coffee. Details: 079 8817199 www.drmeganmedina.co.za
MELANIE CLARKSON – HEAD OF MARKETING, COLLINS RESIDENTIAL
Melanie has over two decades of experience as a marketing professional in the property industry. She manages the marketing
of high-profile developments such as Lalela, Seaton, Zululami and Emberton Estates and is a mom of two.
Biggest challenges to working moms? The agility to seamlessly transition from one world to another in minutes, where we often have to step out of intense zoom meetings and straight
into lift club chatter!
Things you can’t live without? My faith, my family and the wonderful North Coast surroundings we live in.
Details: www.collinsresidential.co.za,
031 536 8005
MARLENE SINGH – HEAD OF FINANCE, RAINMAKER MARKETING
Marlene has a wealth of experience in the finance sector, particularly for real estate, property development and marketing. She heads up finance at Rainmaker Marketing,
Africa’s leading property and lifestyle marketing agency, and loves spending time with her daughter and grandson.
Biggest challenge to working moms?
Finding a balance between work and family life.
Things you can’t live without? My passion for my job, hugs from my grandson and prayer first thing in the morning.
Details: Innova Haus, Marine Walk 1 Salta, Jabu Ngcobo Dr, Umdloti, 031 101 3100
JAQUI MARAIS, CREATIVE DIRECTOR, RAINMAKER MARKETING
Jaqui is the creative director at international award-winning property and development marketing agency, Rainmaker Marketing. She has over 13 years’ experience within the property marketing industry and is mom to her two beautiful daughters.
Biggest challenge to working moms? Learning how to efficiently and fairly split our focus between work and mom life. Spending quality time with my girls is of the utmost importance to me, as is excelling in my career.
Things you can’t live without? My whiteboard kitchen calendar, a weekly meal planner and my comfy bed!
Details: Innova Haus, Marine Walk 1 Salta, Jabu Ngcobo Dr, Umdloti, 031 101 3100
UASTACIA NOMBUSO SITHOLE – GM HOOTERS
Uastacia Nombuso Sithole, who recently transferred from the
Umhlanga to the Florida Road Hooters, is a proud mother of two children (aged 14 and 4) who she
says are the absolute loves of her life.
Biggest challenges to working moms? Just trying to balance home responsibilities and work demands. We have to wear two hats all the time and keeping work frustrations at work and home frustrations at home.
Things you can’t live without? Music, it sets my tone and resets me, coffee and a daily challenge!
Details: Hooters Rocks, 2 Lagoon Dr, Umhlanga Rocks, 031 942 3401; Hooters Florida Road, 178 Florida Rd, Berea, 031 006 5191
