Subscribe to our feedon the road in south africa
The last week of May was all about Dermalogica among the “springboks” as they sometimes call themselves — the fantastic people of South Africa, which was my first “home” after I left the UK!
The Forum in Bryanston was the venue of our Johannesburg Congress — more than 500 Dermalogica stockists, skin therapists and members of the media arrived at 9 a.m. In the morning, I addressed industry trends and product development. In the early afternoon, my presentation focused on FITE, and how our brand continues our 25-year history of supporting the liberation of women everywhere. Our South African team had recently traveled to Kwa-Zulu Natal to meet our very first recipients of FITE loans; they shared the film footage of that trip and the amazing stories of each of the FITE women.
The next day, a Monday, was media-mayhem. First thing in the morning, I was interviewed for National South African radio by the morning host, a charming guy who is sometimes called “South Africa’s Ryan Seacrest”! His name is Gareth Cliff on 5 FM, and he reaches a huge, huge audience here. Gareth is fired up about FITE, and gave us a really major shout-out, encouraging his listeners to visit joinFITE.org. Thanks, Gareth!
Later that morning, I spoke to about 100 women CEOs at the Fire and Ice Hotel, as part of the Women in Business event which drew influential woman-entrepreneurs from all over South Africa. This event was in partnership with Women in Finance (http://www.womeninfinance.co.za). Founded by Colleen Larsen in November 2005, WIF is an organization dedicated to bringing together women from all facets of the working world ranging from large-scale corporations to up-and-coming entrepreneurs, and enables these individuals and companies to maximize their growth and profits.
Read The New Age Newspaper writer, Claudia Henkel’s recount of the presentation here: http://www.thenewage.co.za/19062-12-53-About_Town_Doing_Good
Interviews with local reporters from All Access TV, Sarie magazine, Destiny magazine and Beeld newspaper followed. I never get tired of talking about how our brand makes a difference in the lives of women, especially now with our focus on FITE. But I DID need to rest my vocal cords after all of that talking!
Another day, another Congress. This time in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal. Beginning at 9 a.m. the next morning, I gave two presentations as part of the Durban Congress at the Hilton Hotel — lots of great feedback and applause from about 300 Dermalogica accounts and skin therapists. Our tribe was out in full force! No time to mix and mingle though, as our flight to Cape Town was leaving that afternoon.
The next morning in Cape Town – by now, it’s already Wednesday – at 7 a.m., I’m on the air on the Live Expresso Breakfast Show, a great national morning TV talk show here. This was a terrific venue for me to discuss how FITE has recently funded microloan recipients in South Africa.
Then, off to our concept-space, Dermalogica on Wembley (it’s just gorgeous!) where I went one-on-one with more local media. This space just opened in December 2010, and it’s just fantastic. I was interviewed there by Metro FM, Fair Lady, Elle, Pretty Network and Top Billing.
The next day, another Congress! This one for another 300 stockists and skin therapists, and about 20 media reporters and editors, in Cape Town, held at the Crystal Towers Hotel. From there, I went back to Dermalogica on Wembley to be interviewed on “Hello Doc,” another leading television chat-show about the importance of skin health. The host, dashing celeb doctor Michael Mol, took a special interest in Dermalogica Face Mapping® skin analysis and MicroZone® 20-minute treatments. He’s sort of the S-Af counterpart to Dr. Oz!
That night, I had a truly exceptional conversation and dinner with the brilliant Raphaely family, who know more about publishing in South Africa than I ever will. Look for the blog post about the “Two Janes” I wrote about this great experience. A crazy, whirlwind week to spread the Tribal love from the rest of the World to our sisters in Africa.
Thank you, South Africa – I love you.