Resilience in Action:

Stories of SMEs Turning Challenges into Triumphs

The Spark That Ignites Growth:

Charmain and Clair’s Journey

Charmaine had built a thriving beauty salon from the ground up, but in 2017, a devastating fire reduced her dream to ashes. With nothing left but a nail table and a small rented room, she and her daughter, Claire, faced an impossible decision: give up or start again. They chose to rebuild, but not without moments of doubt and fear.

Relocating to Pretoria, they tapped into their local community’s needs, offering services tailored to busy professionals. Innovation became their mantra—they introduced advanced treatments, replaced costly products with more affordable yet high-quality alternatives, and even brought in a physiotherapist to broaden their appeal.

Claire recalls how pivotal mentorship was in their journey. “Our mentor helped us see beyond the chaos. She pushed us to analyse our strengths and weaknesses and create a clear roadmap forward.” From that guidance, they developed a thriving salon that now boasts a loyal clientele and an ever-expanding range of services.

Turning the Tide:

Rico and the NJC Team

For Rico, the leader of NJC, a manufacturing business producing toothpaste for major brands, the pandemic brought a series of unexpected challenges. Supply chain disruptions and shrinking volumes threatened their very survival. But instead of retreating, Rico took inspiration from boxing: “When you’re pushed into a corner, come out swinging.”

He gathered his team and devised a strategy to transform adversity into opportunity. By converting unused storage space into warehousing for clients, NJC not only secured a new revenue stream but also strengthened relationships with their customers. This adaptability allowed them to retain staff, avoid retrenchments, and even expand.

“It’s about staying flexible and seeing where the opportunities lie, even in a crisis,” Rico reflects. His approach to leadership, rooted in valuing people over qualifications and focusing on attitude and loyalty, has cultivated a resilient and motivated team.

Leading with Heart:

Anita’s Resilience at Hair@TheHub

Anita’s journey is one of grit, determination, and an unshakeable belief in her team. As the owner of Hair @The Hub, a hair and beauty salon, she faced the harsh realities of the pandemic head-on. While many salons shut their doors permanently, Anita leveraged relationships with her suppliers, clients, and staff to weather the storm.

Daily WhatsApp check-ins with her team kept everyone aligned and motivated. Together, they created innovative solutions, such as selling home care kits to clients who couldn’t visit the salon. The results were remarkable: despite being closed for months, her business retained its loyal clientele and emerged stronger.

Anita attributes much of her success to investing in her staff. “When you look after your team, they’ll naturally take care of your clients,” she says. Her focus on personal and professional development for her employees has built a cohesive and empowered workforce.

Watch their interview below with our General Secretary.

Lessons for Every SME

Each of these stories is a testament to the power of resilience and adaptability. Here’s what SMEs can take away:

EMBRACE MENTORSHIP

Seek outside perspectives to uncover opportunities and refine your strategy.

ADAPT AND INNOVATE

Look for new ways to meet market demands, even during a crisis.

INVEST IN RELATIONSHIPS

Build trust with employees, suppliers, and clients—it’s your most valuable asset.

FOSTER A GROWTH MINDSET

Treat challenges as opportunities to rethink and reinvent your business.

These entrepreneurs remind us that while the path may be difficult, it’s not impossible. The spark of resilience can ignite incredible growth, even in the darkest times. What will your next chapter look like?