Ilze Stergos-Kirsten (left) and Hanneri Schmidt (right) are driven entrepreneurs who expertly balance thriving careers, family life, and their own successful businesses in finance, wellness, and jewellery, all while staying committed to teamwork, loyalty, and personal growth.
Ilze Stergos-Kirsten
As the financial and admin manager for both Dent Doctor Bloemfontein and Expert Truck & Trailer Spares, Ilze Stergos-Kirsten takes on any task with passion and dedication because she believes she can do anything she put her mind to.
Ilze wears many hats, but has mastered the art of maintaining a healthy balance between every task she is required to complete. She is a wife, a business woman and a go-getter. She is the proud owner of M Design Jewellery that she started in 2016, a venture that gives her joy of both doing what she loves while pursuing a professional career.
“I have a passion for people, for life, for adventure and all things shiny,” she says.
For Ilze, friends and family are important as they provide the support and stability that keep her grounded. Working alongside her husband, Kenny, at M Design Jewellery makes their time together even more meaningful, blending both work and her personal life.
Her favourite accessory are earrings and she never leaves her home without adorning her ears. “At the She Means Business breakfast I actually lost an earring and walked around loud and proud with only one earring – and nobody said anything! I only noticed when I went to the bathroom after the breakfast that I was wearing only one earring,” she says jokingly.
Hanneri Schmidt
As part of the Expert Truck & Trailer Spares family Hanneri Schmidt strongly believes in the importance of time management, loyalty and striving for excellent client service.
Loyalty is one of Hanneri’s core values, and she’s known for going the extra mile for the people in her life. Family and friends hold a central place in her world as she values their presence and makes a point of keeping them close. She works closely with her husband Izaan on a daily basis.
Her passion for helping others relax is what led her to start her own business, Balmora, which specialises in health, beauty and wellness products.
“I’ve always been driven by a passion for helping others relax and rejuvenate. Balmora is a culmination of that passion, offering natural products and solutions to promote well-being,” she says.
Hanneri sees herself as a perfectionist who believes that everything she does must be done correctly. “Strong principles and business skills are some of the factors I consider to be crucial to make any business a success.”
As a child, she dreamed of becoming a lawyer. Although pursuing formal studies wasn’t possible, she built a career in the legal field and gained nearly 24 years of experience working in the industry. She loves to connect with nature and enjoys long distance running, endurance sports and hiking.
