Suzanne Styles

Suzanne Styles is a self-made woman. The co-owner and joint Managing Director of hugely successful Airport Media was made director in 1995 of Airport Advertising, owned by the then Rent-A-Sign Group. Subsequently, Styles and her business partner Debbie Lea cleared their own path, establishing Airport Media in 2002, which now holds 35% of market share in its field.

Entrepreneurship runs through this UK-born, 45 year old woman’s veins – the result being an eclectic portfolio of businesses. Her ideal is to create a lucrative business venture, while still paying homage to community values, friendship and deep connection.

Styles and her husband Chris recently started Genesis, thebestyoucanbe.co.za, which is a holistic health centre with additional business and executive coaching service. Genesis hosts a dance studio, cycling training, kinesiology, biokinetics, diet advice, food packages, Pilates and beauty care. They also introduced the “MBi programme,” – a 16-week course aimed at addressing overall health concerns.

Both Suzanne and her husband are adamant that the ‘Genesis’ business venture brings lasting change to people.

Personal
Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.
A: Everyone, this is my dear friend Suzanne – multiple business owner, Master Life Coach and Mom.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favourite movie.
A: I’m a massive fan of the Springboks and Blue Bulls. I’m taking Ballroom Dancing Lessons with my husband. When I exercise I measure my achievement by Calories burnt!

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?
A: I like to travel locally and internationally – love mini breaks in the bush.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?
A: Out of town in nature but close enough to shops for essentials such as toilet rolls if I’ve run out?
Entrepreneurship in South Africa:
Q: You are a serial entrepreneur who has been highly successful in your various ventures. What do you think makes a good entrepreneur?
A: A good entrepreneur partners with people that have the skills that they don’t. By nature an entrepreneur is a Big Picture thinker (Chunking Up), and they need the detail thinker (Chunking Down) in order to land the big idea and mould it into a successful business.

Q: What advice would you offer other would-be internet entrepreneurs?
A: I believe that in today’s market every entrepreneur needs to be an internet entrepreneur – research your competitors in detail see how they do things, then look at what they don’t do that you could, in order to differentiate yourself from them. Partner with an excellent web development team with a great social media angle.

Q: You and your husband recently launched the Genesis Lifestyle Centre. Can you tell us how you came up with the idea?
A: We realise that life is quite complex, busy and incredibly stressful. More than 98% of all doctor’s visits worldwide are due to stress related illnesses. Coupled with this we realised that the 35+ age group was being ignored by the general marketing of lifestyle and balanced living marketers and that they had nowhere to belong! We then investigated how we could group a selection of services together that would reach the widest audience including male, female, their kids and teenagers – making Genesis ‘thebestyoucanbe.co.za’ a third space venue, a place where everyone can be themselves and so much more.

Q: What do you hope that people will get out of the Genesis experience?
A: A sense of belonging and community where they can reinstate a level of balance into their lives, reducing stress – all whilst becoming the best they can be.

Q: How important do you think a healthy body is when trying to build a successful business/ life?
A: If you don’t look after your mind and body you will ultimately pay the price either in life or business or both.

Q: What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced when setting up Genesis?
A: Trying to communicate to the greater public what it is that we actually do because it is so unique and completely unknown to the South African Market.

Q: If you were granted a single wish, how would you use it to improve your businesses?
A: An expanded client base that would be able to participate in, and spread the word about our unique offering, growing the Genesis community.

Life in South Africa
Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?
A: Yes we have. Fortunately of a not too violent nature though.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?
A: I came to South Africa from England when I was 16. I love it here and hope to spend the rest of my life here with my family.

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president, what advice would you offer him?
A: To really get his house in order he needs to address the in-fighting of the various factions within the alliance and within the ANC and get them to work together towards a common goal. I make it sound so easy don’t I?

Q: South Africa’s greatest business export is?
A: Sadly our people. The more we lose the greater some other country’s asset base. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if we could sell the intellectual capital in exchange for foreign investment and keep them here?

Life in Pretoria
Q: What do you enjoy the most about living in Pretoria?
A: It has all the Big City facilities with the small town feel. It’s a pretty city and the people are friendly.

Q: Favourite restaurant in or around Pretoria for a lazy Sunday afternoon lunch?
A: Blue Saffron at the Pretoria Country Club.

Q: What is the one place in Pretoria that is a must visit for all tourists?
A: The Union Buildings. They are magnificent.

General
Q: If you were able to pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?
A: It would be tossup between Sir Alan Sugar and Sir Richard Branson, both of whom are fabulous entrepreneurs with varied styles (ignoring the Apprentice TV style of ‘Sugar’ which is all for show)

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?
A: Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill.

Toni Rowland

Toni Rowland is a singer-songwriter, currently based in Durban. Her debut solo album was recorded in Spain with legendary Uriah Heap musician Ken Hensley.

Her ‘classic-rock/adult contemporary’ style was honed while still living in Pretoria performing with her band Mantis for many years.

Her album sales cover the globe from Brazil to Australia, South Africa to Norway (plus the US and UK) and her music has been playlisted on radio stations around the world.

After a long journey to recovery from Breast Cancer, Toni decided to go solo in 2007 and in 2010 she moved to Durban to be closer to her management team.

In 2009 she joined Rockstar Supernova diva Dilana on her South African tour.

In late 2010 she was approached by the Pink Drive campaign to write and record a theme song that would be used throughout the country to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer.

The result was the anthemic ‘I Rise’, which she performed live at numerous Pink Drive luncheons throughout October 2010, joined by Danny K and Louise Carver. She has just completed filming for the ‘I Rise’ music video.

Personal
Q: How would you like to be introduced at a social event?
A: This is my friend Toni…?

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.
A: I have an honours degree in Archaeology. Also I am cat mad.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?
A: I love to watch a good movie. I also enjoy a good braai with some friends. I’m pretty straight forward.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you want it to be?
A: Definitely a house by the sea. I lived in a house right on the beach during my recovery from breast cancer. This was certainly a wonderful period in my life and I wouldn’t mind settling down there one day. I’m a Cape Town girl at heart, but I have to say that I have come to enjoy Durban immensely since I moved here last March. Mind you there are so many beautiful places in South Africa. I am just thinking of Knysna and Plett too. Absolutely beautiful! So I will have to see where the road of life takes me.

Music
Q: In October you toured of SA in support of the PinkDrive. How was the experience for you?
A: The PinkDrive experience was very special. I never thought my own struggle would one day bring me to a place where I had the opportunity to share and inspire others through my journey. It was an incredible privilege and I also learned a lot from the wonderful people I came into contact with during the tour. I am hoping to continue my work with PinkDrive as this is a cause very close to my heart.

Q: As a Breast Cancer survivor yourself, how did you feel when you were asked by PinkDrive to compose a theme song?
A: I felt humbled and deeply touched. It came as a huge surprise to me.

Q: Who are your musical influences?
A: I listen to so many different artists. My music taste is very varied. What I like most is good melody and obviously meaningful lyrics. Of the older bands I love Fleetwood Mac, Kate Bush, Tori Amos, Ken Hensley, Johnny Clegg, Billy Joel, Stevie Ray Vaughan. My new favourite is Adam Lambert. I think he is a brilliant vocalist. I even enjoy Lady Gaga.

Q: What are your music plans for the near future?
A: Well I am going to start performing more regularly with my new Durban band this year. Also I am hoping to tour overseas in America later this year and after that Europe and Australia will follow, my management are busy working hard on these projects . It takes a lot of time and effort to plan and organize these things but I remain hopeful and positive (and frustrated!). I would like to record another album with Ken Hensley, he has already said that he has his studio ready for me! At the moment, we are shooting a music video for the ‘I Rise’ PinkDrive breast cancer awareness drive, I’m really excited about that!

Q: How have you found living and performing in DBN as opposed to PTA and CT?
A: I think performing is basically the same everywhere. It really depends on how you look at it. The venues in Johannes burg tend to pay better. I try and remain realistic about these things. It is a process and one must just keep on building your profile until you get to play the better paying venues. As musicians we count on our income from gigs, so this is an important factor, no matter how shallow it might seem.

Life in South Africa
Q: What do you enjoy most about living in South Africa?
A: Our country is truly beautiful and there is so much to experience and see. I also enjoy the diversity of all our cultures.

Q: When asked about crime in South Africa, what is your response?
A: It’s a bit much. I try not to focus on it so much anymore because it used to depress me no end. I think people must be realistic about this. It is a problem and it needs to be addressed. If we can solve this crime problem our country would be the best place in the world to live, for sure. As it is we unfortunately cannot ignore the reality of it.

Q: To which three local attractions would you first take an international visitor?
A: Hangklip in the Western Cape so they can see the most awesome sunsets they’ll ever experience, a game park, Teasers :-D. Gosh there are so many great things to do. Recently I took my mom to uShaka Marine World to the aquarium and the dolphin show and it was so great. We had such a fun day. South Africa really is not shy of options to take visitors.

Q: South Africa’s greatest musical export is?
A: Johnny Clegg. He is my favourite.

Christl Weinbeck

Christl Weinbeck is a young, up-and-coming actress from Pretoria.

She studied acting at the Tshwane University of Technology and has performed in several major theatre productions.

This year, got her first TV acting role in the new show Binneland Sub Judice as Nadia Da Costa, the youngest article clerk in the law firm.

She is a dreamer, a lover of nature and beauty and a part-time vocalist in the Oh So Serious Folk Collective, which released it’s debut album and performed at Oppikoppi earlier in the year.

Questions:

Personal

Q: How would you like to be introduced at a social event?

A: The lovely, sensational Miss Christl Weinbeck!!

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Im a vegetarian, speak Portuguese,collect bells and have my own language I sometimes write poetry in!

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Sleeping late and indulging in dreaming, walking in nature, picnicking with loved ones and watching DVDs in bed with my guy!

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you want it to be?

A: A long wood and cement house nestled in a mountain, overlooking the ocean with a waterfall as a pool!!

Stone’s throw from the beach and Snake free!!!lots of rooms to rent out to passing travellers, a long wooden walkway strewn with hammocks, a yoga/reiki/meditation room, a recording studio for the inspired, a stage for performing artists, a massive vegetable garden alongside a massive open plan kitchen with a communal dining table. Lots of pets: rabbits, pot belly pigs, ducks, chickens, fish, dogs, a donkey and, and, and…!

I’m not quite sure where I would want this magical dream house to be as I must still thoroughly explore my country but it would definately be in a quaint, community driven town/ village where time stands still.

Career

Q: You started working on Binelanders Sub Judice early this year. How has the experience changed your life?

A: It has been an incredible journey of growth, filled with challenges that I have had to learn to conquer. With no camera training prior to my role I have had to adapt, learn, understand and accept the medium while trying to create a truthfull character and keep my sanity!!

Q: What do you most enjoy about working in the local TV industry?

A: Seeing for myself what it’s really like, meeting all the faces that tell our stories and being ONE amongst them.

Q: How do you prepare before you act in your scenes?

A: Learn words thoroughly well as it allows your instinct the freedom for spontaneous and truthfull reactions. A cluttered mind suffocates a truthfull performance. Breathe!!!!

Q: What can we look forward to from you in the near future?

A: It’s been a long year. I’m going to go to the sea and dream up all sorts of incredible things to do still, and create. So, watch this space.

Q: How did you feel the first time you saw yourself performing on TV?

A: It was awkward!!!But… it was also good to study myself, those around me and what and how things are put together. Discernment is healthy. Criticism is not.

Life in South Africa

Q: What do you enjoy most about living in South Africa?

A: Being close to my dad.

Q: When asked about crime in South Africa, what is your response?

A: There is crime everywhere but my goodness is it violent in South Africa or what! There is so much bitterness, anger and guilt driving the people of this country. Talking about it upsets me. It is unfair that because of these inconsiderate, criminal people, we are forced to live such suffocated, introverted lives. We should feel free and safe in our land and amongst those around us.. It is affecting the way we socialise with one another.

Q: To which three local attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: The Union Buildings for a picnic, coffee at Cafe Ricci Church Square Pretoria then a photographic exploration through town and a road trip through the Free State!

Q: South Africa’s greatest acting export is?

A: Me, but I have not yet arrived! x

Rian van Heerden

Izimvo has the great pleasure of introducing columnist, stand-up comedian and host of Kyknet’s Rian and OFM’s afternoon drive show: Rian van Heerden.

Rian, wanting to be a lawyer and start his own political party, replied to an ad looking for campus radio DJs while studying law at Tuks. The rest, as they say, is history.

Today, Rian is the host of OFM’s afternoon drive show and Kyknet’s talk show, Rian. He also writes lyrics for a sitcom, performs Afrikaans stand-up and is studying towards an honours degree in Psychology.

Website: http://www.rianvanheerden.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/rian.vanheerden
Blog: http://www.ofm.co.za/djblog.asp?pid=35
Location: Pretoria

Rian was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: How would you like to be introduced at a social event?

A: As Rian van Heerden, talk show host, DJ and satirist.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I suffer from a fair amount of OCD!

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Walking on an isolated beach.

Q: How would you describe your dream holiday home and where in South African would you want it to be?

A: As close to the ocean as possible, a large stoep and a fireplace inside. Somewhere in the Western Cape, most likely West Coast with a lively bar within walking distance.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property - Looking to open your own guest house on the West Coast? How about this R10m, 7 bedroom boutique guest house situated on the beach in Paternoster.

South African Talk Shows

Q: Your are the host of the popular Rian, your self-entitled talk show on KykNet. How did the show first come about and how would you describe the show to someone who has not seen it?

A: Well, my producer Ronnie Watt and I used to work on a show called Voorblad that focused on the stranger individuals of our society. Voorblad came to a logical end and we thought it would be a good idea to spend an entire show with only one guest…a South African icon. We realized that viewers wanted to know more about their hero’s and so the show was born.

Q: How much preparation goes into each episode and how do you go about selecting your guests?

A: A lot of preparation goes into each episode. I try to go back at least 15 years in the life of my guest when I prepare for an interview. We have a list of guests we would like to talk to and depending on availability we work our way down the list. We try to speak to icons from all walks of life i.e. actors, musicians, politicians, comedians, sport stars etc.

Q: Selecting the perfect question is a science. Where do you draw inspiration for your questions from and is there anything you will not ask in an interview?

A: I try to highlight the moments in the guests life that represents either a turning point or a moment of realization. Listening to the guest is extremely important. I will ask any question unless it will humiliate my guest…you do not want that. An uncomfortable guest is one thing but I still need to respect his/her privacy.

Q: Which other South African interviewers have inspired you the most?

A: No South Africans.

Q: Can you give us a little insight into the making of the show? When do you tape, how many crew members work on the show and how is the success of the show measured?

A: We record three shows every 3/4 weeks. This usually happens on a Sunday morning! Ouch! Our crew is the normal size of a television show of our nature and success is as usually measured by the fact that your contract gets renewed!

Life in South Africa

Q: What do you enjoy most about living in South Africa?

A: The fact that this country is completely unpredictable!

Q: If you were to interview Julius Malema, what would your last question to him be?

A: What is 13 x 7?

Q: Which South African personality would you most like to interview and why?

A: I would love to speak to Winnie Mandela. She is very reluctant when it comes to interviews and seems to still carry a lot of anger. I would like to know what she regrets and what she really thinks about reconciliation.

Q: With less than 60 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking for the ultimate South African experience?

A: Eat lunch in a township, then Sandton City. And make sure you take a drive up Chapman’s Peak.

General

Q: If you could invite any three South Africans to an intimate dinner party, who would you invite and what would you serve?

A: Jacob Zuma,  Marc Lottering and Lizz Meiring. I would ask my mother to cater! A traditional Afrikaans meal including the bobotie and the broodpoeding!

Q: If you were to start your own radio station, which South African radio personalities would you hire to do the morning and afternoon drive shows and why?

A: I would keep Gareth Cliff in the morning (but force him to create more parodies with the huge array of voices he can do!) Afternoon drive probably David Kau…damn we need to laugh more!

Q: What are your predictions for the future of South African radio?

A: I think personality radio will finally return to our airwaves. Enough with all the repetitive boring so-called hits! More freedom for presenters to speak their minds hopefully.

Q: If you could give the eighteen-year-old-you a single piece of advice, what would it be?

A: Go and study psychology instead of law!

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you like to ask them?

A: David Kramer. Always a legend. I would love to know how we can create more of the stuff he used to create. How do we keep a local flavor in our music especially in Afrikaans?

We’d like to thank Rian for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future. Be sure to watch Rian on Kyknet every Sunday at 6pm or listen to his afternoon drive show on OFM every weekday starting at 3pm.

Have Rian help you with your directions on a daily basis. Garmin are offering Rian’s voice for only R129.95. Direct link

Reminder to follow @izimvo on twitter for regular updates and our Facebook page to submit question and interviewee suggestions. You can also follow all our previous interviewees on Twitter at http//twitter.com/izimvo/interviewees

Albert Bredenhann

It gives me great pleasure to introduce our next Izimvo interviewee, Albert Bredenhann.

Having recently left a very successful career in IT to follow his passion, Albert, at the age of 35, is now the proud co-owner of Pixel Pro Photography in Pretoria.

I’ve known Albert for a number of years and was very fortunate to really get to know him during his visit to Australia in 2008. I’ve yet to meet anyone with the same burning passion for the Internet and I’ll always be thankful for the time he spent with my family and I. I may be the only person alive who can claim that they got Albert Bredenhann to mow their lawn.

Website: http://www.pixelpro.co.za
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/albert.bredenhann
Summit TV Interivew: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22ydZYsEQaY
Location: Pretoria

Albert was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Interesting question, but I guess I would be announced as Albert, co-owner of Pixel Pro Photography and someone with too much passion for life.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Well, I am scared of heights but when I did skydiving I felt as free as a bird. My favorite movie is “Life is Beautiful”. Modern Talking is still the best band ever. (should I have said this out loud?)

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Dancing. Being on a dance floor with loud music puts me in another world all together. But then again, a classy restaurant with good wine, good food and my wife, that will make me get away from it all.

Business in South Africa

Q: As a South African entrepreneur, what advice you would offer would-be entrepreneurs wanting to start their own company?

A: Dream big and the most important one of them all … JUST DO IT !

Q: You’ve recently left a long and successful career in IT to pursue your passion for photography. Would you still recommend a similar move to other IT professionals having now been with Pixel Pro for over a year?

A: I think it is important that you find what you love to do and to do exactly that. We only live once and therefore you need to do what you are passionate about. You only get one chance !

Q: Which skills earned from your years in IT have been of most benefit to you in running Pixel Pro Photography?

A: Definitely my Internet skills. A knowledge of Google and SEO together with the Internet marketing principles that can be adapted to an offline business. No company can survive without the Internet.

Q: How has Pixel Pro made use of social media and have you seen a tangible benefit from its use?

A: Facebook was probably the best invention when it comes to Social Media, and to be in photography, the ripple effect of tagging someone in a photo is just priceless. We try and use almost every avenue such as Flickr, Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Blogging etc. I feel that every aspect of social media should be explored and used to its full potential. The Internet rocks!

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Not really, I think if you are negative, negative things will come your way, so I am positive … and I can see the positive things happening around me.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I lived in New Zealand for two years, and as recent as 2008 I thought about emigrating. I went as far as visiting Australia for a month to see if the grass is greener … but I have to admit, the quality of life that we have in South Africa cannot be beaten. The grass is definitely greener on that side, but there you have to cut it yourself.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: Eish … I think there are a few things I would do. One of them would be implementing an anti-crime tax as a percentage of corporate turnover. Imagine using a percentage of turnover from the likes of Vodacom and Telkom for policing. I would also double the education and health budgets.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Table Mountain, the Kruger Park and Soweto.

Life in Pretoria

Q: What is the best nightspot in Pretoria?

A: This is not allowed to be repeated (or copied), but it is Presleys. They are the only place still playing Modern Talking.

Q: As father, which restaurants in Pretoria do you consider being the most kid friendly?

A: It has the be Spur in Moreletta, Dros in Silverlakes and Plantland in Faerie Glen.

General

Q: Favorite South African sporting moment of the last 10 years?

A: I guess the answer would be one of the Rugby World Cup Finals. I am not such a sport fanatic so I guess it is a very cliche answer.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Road less travelled by Dr. M Scott Peck.

Q: Favorite South African band? Have you seen them live and do you own at least one of their albums?

A: Hmmm … I think there is still only one band .. Modern Talking … (smile)

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Gian from Afrihost.com

Albert mowing the lawn in Sydney.

Thank you to Albert for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish him and those at Pixel Pro all the best for the future and look forward to seeing their impressive portfolio grow from strength to strength.