Businesswoman Candy Smith revealed herself to be a homebody at heart. The very opposite of her persona as the glamorous and glitzy founder of Free State Fashion Week.
The secret to local businesswoman Candy Smith’s success is taking a hands on approach to every venture whether it’s her fashion school, trendy and upmarket nail bar or travel agency. Having started her very first business making school uniform in her teens it’s no wonder that she’s now a force to be reckoned with but her family remains one of her biggest passions.
Candy warmly welcomed us into her sumptuous home in northern Bloemfontein and after all Covid-19 protocol was observed she revealed herself to be a homebody at heart. The very opposite of her persona as the glamorous and glitzy founder of Free State Fashion Week with a catwalk to rival any model. “More than anything I love my own space. Many people think that I’m an extrovert but I’m actually not. So on most weekends when I don’t need to go anywhere I recharge by relaxing at home in my room.”
So she rolled up her sleeves and quite literally practiced the hands-on approach to business that she lives by.
The wife and mother of one however, explained that spa days here and there are still much appreciated but since the launch of beauty and nail salon Tammy Taylor Bloemfontein, her time is spent creating pampering sessions for other people. The launch had to be postponed due to the Covid-19 crises but thanks to her savvy business and marketing mind the salon opened successfully even under Lockdown Level 3.
This isn’t the first time that Candy has had to make the best of difficult circumstances during a pandemic. Travel and tourism had almost disappeared during the last few months and while, business travel was allowed her agency Unlimited Travel and guesthouse in Bloemfontein suffered losses. So she rolled up her sleeves and quite literally practiced the hands-on approach to business that she lives by.
“We have been out of a chef at the guesthouse so I decided to cook everything myself. Cooking is something that I really enjoy doing and surprisingly the guests really like my food,” she laughed. “My biggest surprise was my son complimenting the cooking so that was great because I love putting a smile on people’s faces.”
Besides being a homemaker, businesswoman and entrepreneur she can also be considered a visionary. After studying fashion in Gauteng earlier in her career the Welkom born and aised Candy decided to open a fashion school for local creatives. She’s also passionate about reviving the local textile and manufacturing industry to create jobs for young people and support small businesses. “Our textile industry is dying a slow death which is a shame because there is a lot of potential here but we just need to upskill people. “I’m very vocal about this because if we can revive the industry and give young people the needed skills they can take over the factories and benefit from them. But I believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel,” she said enthusiastically.
Text: NOMAQHAWE MTEBELE Photo: PIERCE VAN HEERDEN
