When one door closes, another opens

Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela, founder of Brewsters Craft and entrepreneur 

‘I founded Brewsters Craft in 2015, making me the first black female in South Africa to found a microbrewery. We operated as a contract brewery that produced 11 craft beers for other brewers as well as my own range called Tolokazi, which launched in 2019.

‘Unfortunately, due to the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown, haphazard alcohol restrictions and lack of government support, the biggest – and possibly the most difficult – decision I’ve made this year was to end all my brewing contracts and retrench my eight staff members. What made the final decision a little bit easier, though, was knowing that I had tried everything to make it work. I also knew I had to protect my mental health.

‘I questioned whether this was the best decision, and many people were surprised by my choice while others tried to talk me out of it. But once I put it in motion, it felt like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I could see and reason more clearly without being clouded by emotions and stress.

‘Now I’m focusing on the part of my business that lockdown has had less of an impact on. Brewsters Craft wasn’t just about brewing beer, we also train students in the science of beer-making and provide quality testing services to professional breweries. Plus, I’m pouring more of my energy into my own beer and cider range. During the first round of alcohol restrictions, I worked on a recipe for a non-alcoholic beer called Tolokazi Hibiscus Hop, which we successfully launched during lockdown.

‘I am very proud of what I have achieved with Tolokazi. Looking ahead, I plan to continue to grow the brand locally, while investigating export opportunities.’

You need to learn to pivot, and quickly

Emma O’Brien, photographer

‘I’m a photographer, so as Level 5 lockdown was implemented in March 2020 my business, just like many others, was immediately put on pause.

‘I will admit, initially, I went into a massive panic about the fate of my business – I was terrified by the prospect of being unable to earn as usual for an undefined period. It took me about a week – fortunately I’m a quick decision-maker – to decide I wasn't going to give in to the worry and instead use the “time off” to my advantage.

‘Once I’d pulled myself together, I drew up a list of all the different ways I could generate an income without leaving the house. In addition to offering online photography classes and selling photoshoot vouchers, I concentrated on relationship-building with my clients and prospective clients. I did this by showing up consistently on social media to share my work; my aim was always to uplift and inspire people as they were also journeying through a difficult time. I also offer one-on-one business coaching and mentoring for photographers and creatives, and did what I could to keep them motivated and uplifted by sharing ideas for generating income. Mindset shifts are not always easy to make, especially when you feel stuck.

‘It was scary at times, and I often asked myself what is going to happen if I can’t get through this. But Joan Baez’s words “action is the antidote to despair” resonated with me, and I kept focusing on moving forward one day at a time. It paid off because as soon as restrictions were relaxed, I was inundated with bookings from people I’ve connected with during lockdown.’

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