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Heart and Home Online Gift Shop

This week my Real Women – Real Life feature focuses on Kathryn and Vanessa Rheeder, from Heart and Home. Vanessa gives us a bit of insight into the lives, of two local Cape Town mom’s running an online business.

Tell Us A Bit About Heart and Home?

Heart and Home is an online gift shop that was launched on the 9^th of February this year. I (Vanessa) was working as a finance manager in the corporate field and wanted to do something a little more creative and flexible as I am a mother of 2 boys, Josh and James. Kathryn is going to be a mom in September and our online gift shop provides us with the flexibility, of having a business while still allowing us to spend time with our children.

We both share the love of products that are unique, charming and reasonably priced. Our goal was to source products that aren’t readily available in South Africa, to ensure that we offer something different to our customers. We also want to support local suppliers so we have included some local products, which fit our signature brand and style.

Tell Me About The People Behind Heart and Home?

Kathryn and I both live in Melkbosstrand, Cape Town and are sisters-in-law, business partners and long-time school friends. As mentioned above, I am a mom of 2 boys and Kathryn is expecting her little boy in September. Kathryn is consulting full-time at the moment and I used to work as a financial manager for a listed company.

We found a great deal of inspiration from overseas websites when we were designing and developing our brand and website. We love products from the UK, Scandinavia and South Africa of course. We also love visiting food and craft markets in South Africa.

What Are Your Favourite Products & Why?

We stock both local and imported products. We especially love the local, handmade babushka dolls, owls and tepee tents which you can find in our handmade section.

We have only been trading for a month so our bestsellers change all the time but at the moment, the jumbo shoppers are our bestsellers. They come in 4 designs and are made from recycled plastic bottles so they are eco-friendly too, which makes them a practical and unique gift.

What Would You Say Your Personal Décor Style Is?

My personal style is more contemporary with a touch of classic, while Kathryn’s is more classic with a touch of vintage chic.

What Advice Can You Give to Women Starting Their Own Business?

My advice to women, especially mom’s, starting up their own business is to ensure they have a proper support system in place and a separate office to work in. My eldest son gets dropped at crèche in the mornings and my nanny looks after James. I work upstairs in my office and I’m available to spend the afternoons with the boys.

[quote style=”1″]Ask God for a creative idea – He knows you the best and always gives you something original and helps you along the way![/quote]

Make sure you spend time on research, draw up a formal business plan with financial forecasts. It’s important to know where you are going. Ensure that you implement the proper systems for your business. Use reputable service providers for website design, development and hosting. Use good quality images and descriptions for your products as your customer relies heavily on this.

What Was The Biggest Challenge Setting Up Your Business?

The biggest challenges I faced was not earning a salary for the last 12 months and learning to have patience as it takes time to set up the website and to make it profitable. Kathryn is still working full-time so she has had to juggle the business and her full-time job!

Where Do You See Heart & Home in 5 Years?

We would like to increase our product base in the near future. We have to manage our cash flow so we will only introduce new products as and when we can. We have a 3 year financial forecast which we hope to meet. Our vision is to be one of the leading online gift shops in South Africa.

Thank you to Vanessa from Heart and Home for sharing a few of your business and life insights with us. I wish you every success with your business and hope you achieve your goal of becoming one of SA’s leading online gift shops!

Heart and Home are offering a 15% discount off your initial purchase when you sign up for their newsletter, check their website here for more details. If you like their Facebook page before the 31^st of March 2012 and you could win a R350 Heart and Home gift voucher.

Images: Photography by Leigh-Ann Cooke of Love Life Photography

Be Inspired, Cape Town Lifestyle, FAR Photography, Featured Posts, Gift Ideas, Gift Stores, Interviews, Lifestyle, Real Women.Real Life

Coco li – Exquisite Boutique Gift Store

I never need an excuse to shop and I absolutely adore the Cape Quarter Centre in Green Point, Cape Town. It feels as if you have crossed the Rubicon when you step into the centre; it has a wonderful cosmopolitan air about it and I was certainly not disappointed when I popped in to the centre on Monday, it was a hive of activity. The main purpose of my visit was to interview the lovely Leigh Tzouvanni, co-owner of the beautiful boutique gift store Coco li.

Tell Us A Bit About Coco li?

Coco li is a joint venture started by myself and my sister Lana Goslett. We opened our first store, in 2004, in The Paddocks Centre in Milnerton. We both have a background in Interior Design and architecture and the business was born out of our shared love of all things beautiful. Having a united vision and passion made establishing Coco li an easy venture; what better way to spend your day than surround by all the creative flare and beauty that feeds your passion. Five years later, in 2009, we opened our second store in Greenpoint’s Cape Quarter extension.

“Coco li is the perfect little boutique where you will not only be inspired to spoil someone else but you will also have free rein to spoil yourself. Come and get lost in our treasure chest…” You can expect gifts to be adorned with exquisite wraps that are then tied with vintage lace ribbons and perhaps even finished off with a rose – something uniquely Coco li and a real treat for the recipient of your gift.”

What Type of Products Do You Stock?

We stock a vast array of gorgeous upmarket goodies which range from unique homeware pieces, jewellery and stunning designer clothing, including some vintage pieces. I have even managed to source a few vintage clutches!

When asked what her favourite products are, Leigh’s response was fitting – I love it all!!

Where Do You Source Most of Your Products?

We maintain that 90% of our products are local and we import a few items to fill the gaps. We are lucky to live in the country we do and have access to such talented designers and such well-made local products, which include unique clothing collections from a selection of SA designers.

What Would You Say Your Personal Décor Style Is?

My personal style is definitely quirky with vintage inspiration, a great deal of what you see in store will be mirrored in my own home.

Do You Travel for Business?

I do not do much in the way of business travel at present but as the business grows I would love to travel to source more unique items of interest to add to our growing range.

You Have Developed Your Own Body Products – Tell Us More About Them

We have developed a range of local bath and body products, with the help of a friend of mine Tanya, who has her own range of natural body products, called Naturals! We worked on fragrances and bottling together and our labels were designed by Bridget from loveletterstationery! The Coco li Body Range includes Himalayan Bath Salts, Salt & Sugar Body Scrub, Body Butter and Hand and Body Lotion. These products come in soothing fragrances such as “Chamomile & Rose” and “Vanilla” and for something more invigorating, a vibrant “Ruby Grapefruit”. I am very excited to announce that we are currently in the process of developing a range of diffusers and massage oils.

Thank you so much to Leigh for giving me the opportunity to interview you and learn a bit more about Coco li, it is a beautiful shop filled with exquisite products! I wish you every success with the further development of your Coco li Body Range and we will definitely keep readers up to date with any new products that are added.

Images: ©FAR Photography

Be Inspired, Featured Posts, Food, Interviews, Real Women.Real Life, Recipe Books

Real Women Real Life…

Today on Real Women Real Life, we get to look inside the life of Sarah Graham. Sarah is the foodie behind the blog afoodieliveshere and author of Bitten.

Sarah Graham – Bitten

Tell Us About Yourself:

As of October last year Johannesburg is now our home. Having moved from Cape Town (Sarah used to live in the same area that I do), I approached the move with the usual disdain (for anywhere other than the mother city), that one would expect from Capetonians 😉 I have however been pleasantly surprised.

My goal in life is to raise content and considerate children, in a happy home with my amazing husband, to continue cooking with abandon for as long as I love it.

Where Do You Find Your Inspiration?

I am motivated and inspired by my family, friends and my love of food.

Indian-style Coconut Fish Curry Recipe from “afoodieliveshere”

What Are Your Strengths & Weaknesses?

I am not afraid of a challenge or hard work! I also like to think of myself as considerate and objective. On the flip side I can be impatient and feel that sometimes I am not spontaneous enough.

What Are Your Fears?

My biggest fear is rushing through life, getting to the other end and not having savoured all the special moments along the way.

What Keeps You Busy?

(Besides for being a mom, writing a blog and publishing a cook book!)

I am one of the founders and now marketing director for an award-winning responsible tourism company, www.africanimpact.com.

What Do You Do To Let Your Hair Down?

I love to socialize and cook. I spend my free time going to the movies, reading, doing Pilates and I love spending time in the bush.

What Is Your Favourite Foodie Website?

One of my best SA food websites for everything from recipes, to shopping and restaurant reviews is Eat In, who recently featured my book and my very precious 6 Minute Chocolate Cake Recipe.

What Do You Feel Your Biggest Success In Life Is?

Having a baby and so far being a reasonable Mum 🙂 Writing and publishing my cook book, entitled Bitten, which is currently available for purchase, in stores in South Africa and online.

What Has Been Your Greatest Challenge In Life?

Without a doubt – having a baby and being a parent has been my biggest challenge, it teaches you amazing selflessness, commitment, hard work and an overwhelming sense of unconditional love.

Thanks Sarah for sharing a bit about your life with us, we definitely share a passion for food and I look forward to trying more of your recipes! We wish you every success with your cook book and your life as a Mum.

Also in this interview series Real Women Real Life, meet Chicara from Lipgloss Kisses

Image Source: Sarah Graham, afoodieliveshere & Food 24

Be Inspired, Fashion, Featured Posts, Interviews, Real Women.Real Life

Real Women Real Life

Today I am featuring the lovely Chicara, in our Real Women Real Life series. Chicara is the creator of the blog Lipgloss Kisses. [Read more…]

Be Inspired, Featured Posts, Interviews, Real Women.Real Life

Real Women Real Life Interview Series

Today we get to look inside the life of Kathryn Rossiter; Kathryn is the creator of the blog Becoming you.

Tell Us About Yourself:

I am from Cape Town, South Africa – the top tourism destination in the world!

I live in an area known as the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. It is a beautiful area surrounded by mountains, forests, nature reserves and beaches! It really is a paradise to raise small children and I have to pinch myself that we are so blessed to live in a place so many people pay a small fortune to visit on holiday. We enjoy a wonderful outdoor lifestyle with great weather (besides the wind!) I love living in Cape Town as I am very fortunate to have grown up here and all my close family live within 10 minutes drive!

I am passionate about my children, family, friends, chocolate, magazines, books, photography, blogging….

My Dream – To be a success at raising my children while not losing sight of who I am or how important my marriage is! To travel the world would be pretty nice too!

What Motivates & Inspires You?

Hard to know really but I do want to end my life knowing I was really great at something. The admiration of my children and family as well as an inner drive to succeed at all I do also spurs me onwards….

God, the ultimate creator, is a pretty awesome source of inspiration don’t you think??? Just look at nature and how perfect and scientific and beautiful it all is. I mean babies – come on they are the ultimate creation, totally amazing!

What Are Your Strengths & Weaknesses?

Strengths: The willpower to avoid chips and fizzy drinks Weaknesses: The lack of willpower to avoid chocolate and cake…. Seriously my greatest strength is my organizational skills; my greatest weakness has to be patience as a mom or on the road 😉

What Do You Treasure Most In Life?

My husband is a gem, memories, happy times with family, good friendships, holidays, photographs, sentimental jewellery like my engagement ring, and the security of my home!

What Are Your Fears?

Like most, the fear that keeps me awake at night is probably that health problems would befall me or my family, security is a big concern in SA and the future well-being of my kids is pretty scary too. But perfect love casts out fear and I’m pretty well covered by someone much larger than me who is looking out for all these concerns!

What Keeps You Busy?

I have always wanted to work in publishing from the age of 14, when I would spend all my pocket-money on magazines and then pour over them for hours in my room on my own! I still would love to do this but for now I have 3 jobs – the paying one is as a Media Liaison where I write documents, guides, newsletters, website content and do social media 1 day per week. The unpaying one is my blog – Becoming you – which is something I hope will grow into a paying job soon! It is my current baby and I love it. My unpaying, full-time, no overtime, intensively emotionally draining job is being a mom to 2 employers! 😉

What Do You Do For fun?

Have I said blog? Yes that is pretty time intensive at present. Also seeing friends, walks in nature, eating out when the budget allows, outings with my family, painting, and entertaining but not cooking, visiting the beach, reading, watching movies, camping holidays or weekends away.

I try to find time for blogging, photography, gardening, Beth Moore bible study, painting, some baking and sewing crafts or things for my kids occasionally (when patience allows)

What are your successes or failures?

My greatest successes are the 2 little people I birthed; my greatest failure is not always seeing what value lies in raising 2 little people to become successful big people!

What has been your greatest challenge thus far in your life?

As a child and teen my family went through a few rough years in terms of health, finances, job security, moving city, changing school and subsequent friend issues. It was a very hard time for me and not one I wish to repeat but I definitely think that what they say about difficulties making you who you are is true in this case. I learnt a lot during that time and I am better for it now. Another difficult period in my life was when I was newly married and living in a foreign country for 2 years with my husband. The experience was full of very high highs and low lows but we definitely learnt to rely heavily on God and each other during this time!!

If you could do something different with your life what would it be?

Occasionally I do regret that I didn’t go to university after school – not due to grades but rather finances…. I don’t think I am worse off today because of it but I would like to prove myself, mostly to me but to others too! I’m not sure if I’m committed enough to study part-time though, not yet anyway. If I could change something in my life right now it would be to have more travel experiences… I would love to see somewhere new or go on an adventure once a year.

Thanks Kathryn for sharing your life with us, we wish you every success and we hope that one day you will realise your dream of a life in journalism!

Also in this interview series Real Women – Real Life, meet Ellie Coburn from The Ellie Life….

Image Source: Kathryn from Becoming you