It’s this incredible spirit that has seen Carin Rhoode – who was once homeless – rising above every challenge with determination and ingenuity.
Cape Town, South Africa (05 November 2020) – 50-year-old Carin Rhoode from Cape Town understands better than most what it means to lose everything and yet, she has risen above every challenge with determination and ingenuity.
It’s this incredible spirit that has seen the woman, who was once homeless, rewarded by Sunlight, who will now be investing in her small business and empowering her with new skills to improve her livelihood.
As a brand that has been part of South African lives and homes for generations and believes in offering better value, better quality and products that make the rand stretch further, Sunlight has decided to step up during this difficult time and offer support to some of the country’s hardest working and most important economic contributors – female small business owners.
Carin is one of three Sunlight More Than You Expect Heroes to receive business support to the value of R200 000 from the brand. A further 5 women will be selected from entries received by the brand in the coming months.
“I was in disbelief when I heard I was selected. Nothing like this had ever happened to me, so it was really big,” she recalls.
After her husband’s death in 2008 and the death of her father in 2010, Carin, says her world fell apart, leading to her being homeless for the following 8-10 years.
Recently Carin had made contact with an organization called Souper Troopers who assisted her to begin making jewellery to sell at markets. But when the pandemic hit, all the markets closed, and Carin was forced to adapt her business model. She quickly transitioned to an online marketplace and added hand-sewn masks to her offering, following YouTube tutorials to teach herself how to make the masks.
“I’d like to say thank you to Sunlight. Prior to this happening, I actually gave up and felt like everything was such a huge struggle. Because of Sunlight, I am able to stay off the streets and am able to build a successful business, so I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”
Carin has received an investment package that includes; a Brownsense business training course, market selling space for 6 months, sewing and jewellery-making courses and materials plus a host of marketing services. She has also received a new phone and accommodation for 6 months.
“I have already grown somewhat financially due to having more cash to invest in more stock, which means more stock to sell. Going on the sewing course and jewellery-making course will definitely inspire me and enable me to create more, and the business course will help me to manage my business better, so I’m really looking forward to that!”
Sunlight is inviting South African women who own their own businesses to share their stories and stand a chance of taking their place alongside Carin, Bontle and Ncumisa as More Than You Expect Heroes. Five additional Heroes will be selected. Each will benefit from business support and resources to the value of R200,000. This includes market access opportunities, training and mentorship through Sunlight’s partners, BrownSense. As in Carin’s case, a tailored approach will be adopted to meet each winner’s unique business needs.
To stand a chance of receiving more than you expect, enter the competition by clicking here.
How can women entrepreneurs enter the competition?
- Visit the Sunlight website https ://www.sunlight.co.za
- Click on the enter and win tab in the website menu.
- Complete the form on the Gives You More page and submit in order to have a valid participating entry for the competition. Participants must complete the required fields on the competition application page (by submitting all the required information, including their name and mobile phone number) as well as the answer to all the questions.
- Once they’ve submitted their entry, share a post on social media, tag @sunlightza, and tell their followers they’ve just entered using #MoreThanYouExpect Participants stand a chance to win R200 000 worth of resources, support, training and cash to support their business venture. Each winners profile will be looked at individually, and support will be tailored for their business needs.
Competition Duration
This promotional competition runs from 1st September 2020 to 31 November 2020 at 12 pm (the closing date). Any entries received after the closing date will not be considered.
How will the winners be selected?
The finalists will be selected by the promoter based on how interesting and worthy their story and entry is, as well as if they meet the above criteria mentioned in section 8a of the T&C’s. Winners will be notified telephonically by the 15 December 2020 where the winner will be required to verify their details.
by 