Can you briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your background?
Bonjour! I have lived in Mauritius for just over four years now and I'm originally from Pretoria, South Africa. I have always been passionate about DIY and about empowering people. I have also always wanted to be financially independent and in 2013 I started hosting workshops to empower people through DIY in South Africa. And when I had the chance to move to Mauritius and pursue my economic activities here, I jumped at the opportunity.
What are you doing currently?
My passion for empowerment and love for teaching through DIY has led me to develop my very own workshop here which has been a dream for many years. I'm working with fantastic, experienced people from every walk of life in Mauritius who have joined me to share their skills and knowledge. I have a space in Pamplemousses where I'm teaching DIY and we offer a variety of workshops from ceramic painting to upholstery.
With people losing their jobs because of the COVID-19 crisis, we really want to offer them an opportunity to learn new skills and to assist them in getting their own small businesses off the ground. We set up the Purple Lime foundation which is all about training to empower and to assist entrepreneurs to establish themselves.
I'm also working alongside my mainly Mauritian team at the Good Shop where we sell recycled and upcycled furniture, clothes and books. I'm working on new, fun furniture and concepts at the store and creating more jobs that have been given to people with barriers to employment. More than 60% of the Good Shop staff have barriers to employment. I have trainees in the workshop who are deaf and so our training is also about communicating with them.
What brought you to Mauritius?
Coming to Mauritius was a much needed change of pace of life, also a less stressful living environment; it was also a professional choice with new and exciting business opportunities. After years developing my teaching and DIY in South Africa, Mauritius offered up a new way for me to follow my passions.
What was the impact of the global health crisis on your professional activity?
It's been a challenge as my business ventures are based on human interaction in the workshop and of course The Good Shop had to be closed during the various lockdowns and restrictions. However, I have been working on our new Business and Digital Quarters which will offer mentorship and training on business and digital platforms. So it has given me the opportunity to be creative in other ways and I'm excited about the opportunities this will allow us to offer people here on the island.
What are the main challenges you have faced as an expat entrepreneur in Mauritius?
Although setting up businesses and finding work space has had its challenges, I've found the people of Mauritius are very welcoming and friendly so that has made things easier to get assistance to get things done.
What are your plans for the future?
I want to keep building and developing the creative industry here in Mauritius and encourage anyone, particularly during the global pandemic to cultivate and develop existing, new and useful skills and to assist entrepreneurs in getting their own small business off the ground. I absolutely love teaching and I met so many fantastic people who were able to use what we had taught them to start their own small businesses. Teaching DIY is everything that I am passionate about and I hope to continue to create a space for anyone in Mauritius, whatever their situation, to thrive.
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