By Alec Hogg
I got to meet Tasha of Tasha’s yesterday. She is a passionate 39 year old who turned her love of people and an upbringing in the food business into the most successful restaurant group South Africa has seen in years. During our interview, she shared so much. Including how you can break all the rules and still succeed in business – if you’re prepared to sacrifice, keep believing and enjoy some luck.
Tasha – born Natasha Sideris – borrowed money from loan sharks to get her first restaurant started, and ended up working 14 hours a day for “four or five months” without a day off to repay them. But she knew after the first month the concept was a winner. And after opening in Dubai last August, also knows that it travels well.
It’s still early in the Tasha’s story. But with Kevin Hedderwick of Famous Brands providing the capital, systems and sounding board, and Tasha and brother Savva providing the passion, today’s 12 stores are sure to expand some by the end of the decade. Each one, says the founder, will have the same caring culture and attention to detail. Good things do come to those who deserve them.
Yesterday’s top five stories
Xenophobia: SA Army deployed in Alexandra, Durban
Satrix CEO: How you can benefit from tax free savings accounts
Rehabilitated, rejuvenated Greg Blank, stockbroker-turned-jailbird, back in mainstream
Xenophobia: Zulu King recants, “lice” and “ticks” should not be attacked
M&G, The New Age with stand-out leads: SA daily front pages, Fri 2013-08-30
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