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<\/p>\nLong before businesses, international travel and entrepreneurship, she was simply a teenager who wanted to work.<\/p>\n
At just 14 years old, she started working in a small coffee shop at the old Pick n Pay Centre in Fichardt Park, washing milkshake glasses after school and over weekends. A year later she was selling sweets at Sweets from Africa before she was old enough to become a waitress at Spur, and later at the Hard Rock Caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n
Once she earned her driver\u2019s licence, she spent her evenings delivering home cooked meals across Bloemfontein for her aunt\u2019s catering business.<\/p>\n
Weekends were spent waitressing, and Sundays behind a beauty counter.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy parents taught me that if you wanted something in life, you worked for it. That lesson shaped everything I\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n
After qualifying as a beauty therapist, Suz\u00e9 began travelling across South Africa, offering mobile permanent makeup services in more than 50 salons. Her dream soon grew into Cosmoderm Laser Clinic at Preller Square, one of the Free State\u2019s pioneering laser clinics.<\/p>\n
Later, after moving to Bethlehem to be closer to her daughter, she founded Cherry Ink Beauty Group.<\/p>\n
It was there that Suz\u00e9 discovered her true passion.<\/p>\n
More than building a successful business, she wanted to build successful women. Through training, education and mentorship, she helped women develop skills, become financially independent and believe in themselves.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cMy greatest passion was never simply building a business \u2013 it was empowering women.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her work eventually took her onto international stages, where she shared her knowledge with audiences from around the world.<\/p>\n
Then life changed everything.<\/p>\n
Nine years ago, Suz\u00e9\u2019s brother was diagnosed with motor neuron disease. It was one of the most difficult seasons of her life, and walking that journey alongside him changed her forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can have success. You can have everything you\u2019ve ever dreamed of. But without your health, none of those things mean very much.\u201d That experience inspired a new chapter dedicated to helping people live healthier lives, make healthier choices and reclaim their health. Today, she describes it as one of the greatest privileges of her life to walk alongside people as they rediscover hope, confidence and a better quality of life.<\/p>\n
As a proud Bloemfontein woman with an enormous passion for her city and its people, a new dream was born. Geelklip Middelwater is more than a farm \u2013 it is Suz\u00e9\u2019s love letter to Bloemfontein. Just minutes outside the city, families can reconnect, children can experience the outdoors, friends can gather around the Vuur & Vlam Braai Bar, and unforgettable memories can be made.<\/p>\n
\u201cBloemfontein has always been home. If I can help create something that brings people together and gives families a place to make memories, then I\u2019ve achieved something worthwhile.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Women\u2019s Month reminds us to celebrate women who inspire others, Suz\u00e9 hopes her story encourages people never to underestimate humble beginnings.<\/p>\n
Success, she believes, is not measured by titles or trophies, but by the difference you make in the lives of others.<\/p>\n
The best is yet to come. And no matter what life brings, light will always overcome the darkness.<\/p>\n
PHOTOGRAPHS: GYPSEENIA LION\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From international stages to the golden sunsets of Geelklip Middelwater, Suz\u00e9 Steyl\u2019s journey has always been guided by one simple belief: work hard, be kind and leave people better than you found them. Born and raised in Bloemfontein, Suz\u00e9 proudly calls herself a Free State girl. Long before businesses, international travel and entrepreneurship, she was […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":124,"featured_media":20857,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,1],"tags":[9230],"class_list":{"0":"post-20855","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"category-uncategorised","9":"tag-suze-steyl-for-the-love-of-bloemfontein"},"yoast_head":"\n