How it started
Our team
Fatima Khan Wise
Co Founder and Managing Director
Since establishing The First Lady Chamber in 2015, she has been instrumental in developing it from a market and social event to an entrepreneurial platform for female owned businesses. As Founder and Managing Director, she is responsible for brand management, directing and coordinating the internal structure of the organisation. She is key in the strategy development and implementation thereof, including the formulation of strategic documents and plans as well as ensuring that the vision and goals of The First Lady Chamber are achieved. Her experience has led her to have a keen eye for the opportunities, within the female entrepreneurship sector.
Starting her career in graphic design in 2006, she went on to complete her diploma and at the same time completed a photography course. In 2006 she completed her B.Tech degree in Graphic Design and successfully wrote her thesis on the topic of Branding.
After completing her degree, Fatima started her career in the fast paced Newspaper House and worked at various agencies as a graphic designer. In 2010, after having 4 years of work experience, she felt confident enough to fulfil her lifelong dream to start her own business. Under this banner she worked with many clients including the ANC Western Cape Region for the ANC Centenary. At this point in her life she joined the ANC Youth league of ward 60 where she spearheaded many community outreach projects such as providing school clothes for underprivileged children and adopting Christine Revel Orphanage.
In 2017, she founded an NPO called Sharing Hope Foundation, in 2017, an organisation for which she successfully raised funding for various orphanages both international and locally.
While being an FLC Managing Director, she also Manages Chroma Creative and simultaneously Chairs The Sharing Hope Foundation NPO 212 082.
Zahida Goulfarris-Ishmail
Director
Her life experiences, challenges and successes has afforded her many opportunities to grow spiritually and emotionally. She believes her journey, all be it ever changing, has evolved into a strong desire to be a mentor for woman.
She opened her school Incy Wincy College, at the age of nineteen years old. With determination and the support of her parents as business partners the school has grown significantly. If, not for the burning passion to make the school, work and dedicated staff, the doors would have been closed a long time ago. She is affectionately called “sister boss” by her team of eighteen staff members whom she says she calls family. She has fought through so much in her life and has still been able to successfully run the business for over two decades.
She however says that her most important role is undoubtedly being a wife and mother to her four children. Their love and support make her want to be and do better. Raising three daughters, and a son, she feels the deep responsibility to be an example. First to show her daughters, you can be whomever you set out to be and for her son to love and respect all woman.
She has a Diploma in Early Childhood Development and has also completed courses in Education Management at UNISA and Small Business Development at University of Stellenbosch Business School.
She also currently serves in two community organisations: The Sharing Hope Foundation and The Police Forum for Sector 2. As an Alumni of Stellenbosch Business School, she served as a mentor to business students over a period of two years. She is humbled and excited to be part of the FLC platform to be able to make a difference in the lives of business woman.
“I wish more women realised that helping another woman, win, cheering her on, praying for her, sharing a resource with her, does NOT take away from the blessings coming the to them. In fact, the more you give, the more you receive. Empowering women doesn’t come from selfishness but rather from selflessness” Selene Kinder
Rushda Behardien
Director
A wife, mom to three young men and founder and co-owner of a travel business called the Travel Connexion. She is also a partner in South African online beauty marketplace, GoBeauty, South Africa’s largest platform for connecting customers with beauty and wellness establishments. This platform has proven to be a huge marketing and growth tool for small and independently run salons, as well as for the larger spas and salons. Her core work has been with women entrepreneurs as a Business Strategist and coach through OrganisedBusiness.Com.
She uses the many years experience gained working in finance in the corporate sector, to assist female entrepreneurs manage and grow their businesses. Through consultation and mentorship she identifies and utilises the business owner’s strengths enabling them to channel it into the business, thereby ensuring success and growth.
She also held the position of Relationship Manager for the Dubai based, Islamic Fashion Design & Council which was tasked with growing local entrepreneurs in the fashion and design industry.
When not working with businesses, She is the editor and founder of RuBe’s Closet, a fashion and lifestyle blog. This is the space which she uses to reach out and connect with people and cover many topics which affect modern women today, such as parenting, juggling busy lives, modest fashion inspiration, travel, challenges faced as a working mom and so much more.
She is passionate about people, interacting with them, and empowering them, and enjoy engaging with individuals from all walks of life.
Creating strong networks that forge opportunities for entrepreneurs who may find their journey lonely.
The First Lady Chamber
12 Hanbury Ave, Lansdowne,
Cape Town, South Africa
Copyright © 2020 The First Lady Chamber | Designed by Chroma Creative Designs
The First Lady Chamber
170 Burwood Road, Lansdowne,
Cape Town, South Africa
Copyright © 2020 The First Lady Chamber | Designed by Chroma Creative Designs