Technopark ia a vibrant business hub and home to many innovative enterprises. Among them, three dynamic women have carved out their own niches, leading successful businesses and making significant contributions to their respective fields. Carla Pietersen, founder of Workshack; Kay Walsh, founder of Nova Economics; and Thea Coetzee, a psychologist running her own practice, Clementine Therapy, each represent the growing force of women in business.
Building a community through coworking
Carla Pietersen’s path to entrepreneurship began with a humble start as a waitress in Somerset West. This early job ignited her passion for working with people, a passion that would later form the foundation of her business, Workshack. After high school, Carla took a more serious turn, working at Adept ICT while juggling a part-time B-Com degree through UNISA and managing properties in Stellenbosch. These experiences honed her skills in customer accounts management, human resources, and finance, preparing her for the entrepreneurial leap that was to come.
In 2017, she decided to pursue an MBA at Stellenbosch Business School, a decision that proved pivotal. An assignment during her final year led to the creation of a business plan for a coworking space—now known as Workshack. Her story is a testament to perseverance, belief in oneself, backed by the guidance and support of her mentor, and husband, Jacques.
Carla emphasises the importance of routine and prioritising time for exercise and family to maintain work-life balance. Her advice to young women aspiring to reach their career or business goals is simple yet powerful: “ANYTHING is possible, all you need to do is believe in yourself and put in the necessary work.”
Reflecting on the advice she wishes she had received earlier, Carla shares an African Proverb: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This wisdom underscores the importance of collaboration and community—values that are at the heart of Workshack’s mission.
Navigating the complexities of economics and strategy
Kay Walsh’s journey to founding Nova Economics is marked by her passion for economics and her desire to make a meaningful impact. Her career began in 2004 as a research assistant on a project run by the Center for International Health and Development at Boston University. This role, which involved interviewing representatives from various firms and surveying large employers on HIV/AIDS services, was both challenging and rewarding. It also laid the groundwork for Kay’s future in economics and consulting.
With a BSc from the University of Cape Town and an Honour’s and Master’s degree in economics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Kay’s solid academic background fueled her career. She gained her first taste of consulting while working for her father’s niche consultancy, where she was exposed to diverse sectors, including tourism and logistics. However, it was her time at Rand Merchant Bank as a junior economist and later at Deloitte’s Strategy Consulting practice that truly shaped her expertise.
At Deloitte, Kay played a key role in building a specialist economics advisory team, gaining significant experience in the energy sector. Her work advising clients on economic regulation, energy and climate policy, and business strategies positioned her as a leader in her field. In 2015, a year after the birth of her daughter, Kay founded Nova Economics. This decision was driven by her desire for greater flexibility and control over her work, enabling her to balance her roles as a mother and a working professional.
Kay’s success, however, has not been without challenges. She has had to confront negative gender biases, prevalent in the male-dominated energy and infrastructure sectors. Despite these obstacles, she has learned to demonstrate her capabilities and credibility, often going above and beyond to prove herself. Her advice to young women is to build a strong professional network, challenge stereotypes, and regularly reflect on their career aspirations to ensure they align with their values and life circumstances.
Kay also shares a piece of wisdom that has resonated with her, from former Guardian columnist Oliver Burkeman: “There will always be too much to do—and this realisation is liberating.” She encourages others to consciously choose what to neglect in favour of what matters most, a strategy that has helped her maintain balance in her demanding career.
Therapy in harmony with wellbeing
Thea Coetzee’s journey to establish Clementine Therapy is as unique as it is inspiring. Initially pursuing a career in music education, Thea began her professional life as a music teacher after earning a BMus(Ed) degree from the University of Pretoria. Her early career saw her establishing Alpha Music, a private music education venture that flourished along the West Coast. Her commitment to inclusivity was evident from the start, as she consistently provided free lessons to less privileged children and schools.
In 2009, after moving to Stellenbosch, Thea shifted her focus to the therapeutic effects of music, completing a master’s degree at the University of Stellenbosch. This research sparked a deeper interest in psychology, leading her to pursue another degree in the field. Despite starting this new academic journey later in life, Thea was determined to gain as much experience as possible, eventually qualifying as an educational psychologist and working as a District Psychologist in Mitchells Plain.
Thea’s passion for helping others and her drive to continually improve her skills led her to open her own private practice, Clementine Therapy, in 2021. From the outset, her practice was a success, grounded in her belief that optimal psychological health is crucial for overall well-being. Her journey reflects a commitment to lifelong learning and the courage to reinvent oneself.
Thea has experienced positive support from her colleagues, but acknowledges that work-life balance remains a challenge. To manage this, she relies on a competent team and prioritises exercise and family time. Her advice to young women is to work hard, surround themselves with successful people, and remain open to constructive criticism. For Thea, success is also about setting and striving to surpass personal goals.
Her advice to aspiring female entrepreneurs is practical and empowering: “Equip yourself with the best possible quality training, identify a mentor, trust yourself, and be comfortable with the idea that you will not know everything when you start.” Thea’s approach to building her practice is a blueprint for any woman looking to establish her own business.
The collective power of women in business
Carla, Kay, and Thea are a few examples of women making waves in the business world. Their stories reflect not only their personal achievements but also the broader movement of women stepping into leadership roles, challenging the status quo, and building businesses that nurture and grow.
Technopark, with its diverse array of businesses, is a testament to the growing influence of female entrepreneurs. These women bring unique perspectives and strengths to their industries, nurturing innovation and fostering inclusive environments. Their journeys highlight the importance of mentorship, education, and resilience in achieving success.
As more women take the helm of businesses across South Africa and beyond, the landscape of entrepreneurship is evolving. Remarkable stories like these remind us that the future of business is bright, inclusive, and within reach for those willing to work hard and believe in themselves.
