I had the pleasure of meeting this very successful businesswoman. She is Geraldine Prinsloo, the owner of Tyger Logistics. She is an example of a woman who takes great care of herself. As if this was not enough to inspire me, she certainly blew me away when she told me about the miracle skincare product that she was allowed to register the patent for.
Geraldine is passionate about women’s issues, skincare and about business. I asked her a few questions about her background, business, her miracle skincare product and her childhood. She was very generous to take time out of her very busy schedule to answer them. I was inspired and believe that others will be inspired too. I hope to do a follow-up once this miracle product is available.
Geraldine Prinsloo, CEO and Founder of Tyger Logistics.
1. You are a very successful businesswoman. Where does your passion for business come from?
My opinion, I think business people are BORN…but my main desire was to follow in my dad’s footsteps, as he was an avid businessman during the apartheid era.
2. The skincare product that you have created, that I believe will find a way onto the skincare shelves of many women, will soon be available. When I think about that, “wow” is one of the first words that come to mind. Tell me about the hard work and commitment that went into that.
Wow! Ok, where do I begin? I have a natural tendency to want to contribute to women looking and feeling better. Blemishes are one of those problematic things many women struggle with and it tends to make them feel less confident. This is where my search for a product that really works, began. I stumbled upon a factory that could perform the necessary tests with regards to the product, of which the main ingredient is wild mushroom. Today, I believe that that was fate.
I was willing to be the lab rat and was truly amazed at the results. I had to make a few adjustments with regards to some of the processes and ingredients. After all the testing, hard work, commitment, long hours of countless Skype calls and trips to China, I was finally allowed to register the patent which made me the sole owner of the technology. I am currently working at designing the packaging for the product and am looking forward to officially introduce it to women around the world. YES, hard work pays off.
3. What would you tell the aspirant skincare product creator about the journey? What are the do’s and don’ts that they should keep in mind?
DO NOT COMPROMISE ON QUALITY. Remember that you are dealing with a precious commodity – skin.
Tenacity pays off. When you know you have a winning formula, do not give up. Your idea might sound crazy to others. However, you have to continue focusing on your dream.
4. What else is there about Geraldine and about your business that you would like people to know?
I always follow my instincts, inner voice, intuition or the voice of God. When my inner voice says “do it”, or “no” or “wait”, I listen. I believe that it is important to explore until you find what makes you tick; what makes you get up with a bounce in your step. I am determined to never stop learning.
5. Tell me about the legacy that you wish to leave behind – to society and to your children?
What I want to leave behind should be imperishable and eternal. I don’t want to leave behind only tangible items—buildings, money, and/or possessions. Yes, it could be seen as prosperity, but I want to leave behind a POSTERITY; a heritage – not just an inheritance. Someone once said: “Our children are messengers we send to a time we will not see.” I would like to be an observer of two trendsetters, who not only have their interest at heart, but the interest of others too.
I want to leave my children a part of ME. I hope that I am a good example of generosity in action. And I want to be a reminder that you should keep going when things get hard. If I learned anything through my own hardships and challenges, it’s that I am stronger than I thought I was.
Another wonderful quote comes to mind: “Those who came before leave us the world we live in. Those who will come after will have only what we leave them.”
6. Apart from your business and this miracle product, you are also part of a big networking group. Why have you decided to become part of this networking group, when you were already a successful businesswoman? And what is it about this particular networking group that made you say: “this is that extra thing that I would like to do?”
As all financial gurus educate us daily, you should have a business that allows a flow of passive income; while you are sleeping. That is what this company allows. The fact that travel (which is one of my ultimate passions) is part of it made it a no brainer. It allows me to afford financial- and time freedom. It is a wonderful platform that empower people.
7. One of your businesses is based in China. You are a South African, so why China?
I admire and appreciate the work ethic of Chinese people. I feel that we as a country are held ransom by trade unions and THEIR decisions; it is refreshing to witness a country where people work for their benefit as well as for the benefit of their country; hence the reason why China is where it is as a country and we are where we are.
8. When you look back at your childhood, is your life today anything of what you have dreamt of as a child?
OH ABSOLUTELY! I dreamt of following in my fathers footsteps, being an avid businessman. He indoctrinated me with “walk into a room as if you own it.” I did not understand it at age ten, but today I know how important confidence is. And it is because of my father’s teachings that I know and live that today.
9. Tell me a bit about your childhood
I am a middle child with two brothers older than I am and two sisters younger than I am. We were a healthy, happy and close knit family. My siblings and I were blessed with amazing parents who were married for close to forty years, when dad passed away. I think I put too much pressure on myself to achieve, but still enjoyed every moment of being a child. As a child, I climbed trees, whistled, play sports and stole fruit from the neighbours’ fruit trees. I got into a lot of trouble on a daily basis. Childhood back then was different from what our kids are experiencing today; we didn’t need much to entertain ourselves.
10. You mentioned that you encourage your children to be smart about money and about business. Why do you think that it is important that parents do that?
God forbid the day when I am no longer around they will be well rounded adults who disciplined, who knows about giving tithes and about using money. Money is the commodity that makes the world go round. If you respect money it will respect you.
11. What would you say to young people from the Coloured community, young people who perhaps believe that there are no opportunities for them?
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS AT ALL COSTS. The playing field has been leveled so NO-ONE can be blamed if you don’t succeed BUT YOU. LAZY is not an option, it is so last year. Maximize your time, because wasted time is something that you can NEVER get back. We all have 24 hours in a day. What you do with yours will determine your future.
12. You are also very passionate about women’s issues. Why is that and what are those thing that you believe many women are still getting wrong when it comes to their worth and value?
I am indeed. I am a woman first, before I am anything else.
Too many women allow themselves to be financially dependent on a man. When doing this, they generally curb their ability to live to the full and realise their ultimate potential. Whoever has not determined their purpose yet is merely existing and not LIVING as planned by God. We have to love ourselves first, before we are able to love anybody else.
13. Is there anything else that you would like to add?
I believe that a relationship with God is very important. It is not so much about religion, but rather about the relationship. Everyone has a book inside of them. Mine will soon be published. Watch the space.
Connect with Geraldine on the following social media platforms: za.linkedin.com/pub/geraldine-prinsloo/11/838/321 https://www.facebook.com/geraldine.prinsloo.7?fref=ts https://twitter.com/gjprinsloo
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