As Women’s Month unfolds, we shine a spotlight on an inspiring woman whose talent, creativity and unwavering self-belief knows no bounds and whose passion for interior design has brought joy and beauty to countless spaces.
Meet Kim Williams, a top Cape Town interior designer and the creative force behind her eponymous interior design business.
For Kim, her love for what she does radiates through every aspect of her work and daily life. “Making the space around me happy and beautiful has always made me happy,” she says with a warm smile. Her journey began with decorating her own home, finding joy in transforming it into a sanctuary of comfort and beauty. Soon enough, her keen eye for design drew the attention of friends and family, who sought her expertise in turning their own spaces into havens of comfort and style.
What sets Kim apart is her innate ability to understand the profound impact of design on a person’s well-being. It’s not just about aesthetics for her; it’s about creating an environment that truly resonates with her clients, making them feel happy and at ease. “If something didn’t feel good in a space, then I would shift it around to see how it feels, the impact it has on a person, and how happy it makes them. I just love doing it,” she adds.
The power of women supporting women
Throughout her journey, Kim has been uplifted by a network of amazing women. Her team of dedicated female mentors, and support system has played an integral role in her growth and success. “I have been extremely fortunate. I have had the most amazing women in my life, and I work with the most amazing team of women,” Kim acknowledges. In an industry that was once fiercely competitive, she sees a positive shift towards collaboration and support among women. “It is so important for us women to continue supporting and looking out for each other,” she emphasises.
To Kim, the importance of women supporting women extends beyond the professional realm. She believes that women inherently possess unique skill sets and understanding, making their support and camaraderie essential. “We respond differently in a work environment, and we go through different things. As women, I think we experience that innate creative thing of being able to give to someone else – from dressing a beautiful table for our family, to making a delicious meal. It is crucial for us to be able to support each other in our community,” she reflects.
As a role model for aspiring young women in the interior design industry, Kim shares her three top tips. First and foremost, she advises women to never stop learning and growing, emphasising the significance of personal development and skill enhancement.
Secondly, she advocates for young women to showcase their work and speak up confidently, as their ideas and contributions are invaluable. Lastly, she urges them to embrace challenges and step outside their comfort zones, as it is in those moments that true growth happens.
When asked about the gender gap in her sector, Kim gracefully defies the notion. “I don’t think there is a gender gap as I have never viewed the world in that way,” she asserts. Rather than focusing on barriers, Kim has always directed her energy towards being the best at what she does. She believes that the key to success lies in understanding one’s purpose and striving to fulfil it relentlessly.
As we delve deeper into Kim’s wisdom, her key takeaway resonates powerfully: “You don’t move forward until you take a leap of faith and believe in yourself, who you are, and what you want to do. When you believe in yourself and see it through, others believe in you.” Her journey has been fuelled by passion, determination, and an unwavering belief in herself—a journey that is an inspiration to all women in business, her sector, and the world.
Kim’s journey reminds us that when women unite, support each other, and believe in themselves, there are no limits to what they can achieve.
Sky
Lebo Gunguluza started his entrepreneurial journey with R60 and a lot of nerve. He managed to secure a bursary, which enabled him to study a BCom degree at the University of Natal. To earn money while he studied he became an agent for Edgars on campus, then went on to work in sales for the SABC. He launched his first business and made his first million by 27 but squandered it and had to work his way back to financial wealth. He launched Corporate Fusion, and at 33 his business was turning over R14 million, but he left it to others to run while he travelled the world, and he soon found himself in R4 million worth of debt. Several years later after paying off his debt, he launched GEM (Gunguluza Enterprises & Media) Group of Companies, which has become a multimillion rand business in it\’s first two-and-a-half years. He went on to become one of the \”dragons\’ on the South African edition of Dragons\’ Den, as well as one of the \”sharks\’ on M-Net\’s Shark Tank.