On active duty – two businesswomen in the fitness industry give us the lowdown on their success

If you’ve had it with going nowhere on the treadmill or feeling frumpy in your saggy old leggings, these two entrepreneurs will have you inspired to sweat it out in no time.

Have you ever wanted to be one of those ‘I don’t know how she does it’ women? You know the type: glowing skin, perfectly blow-dried hair, a smoothie bowl for lunch and squeezing in a yoga class before work? If so, get to know Sandi Dekker – she might just become your secret weapon.

In 2016, Sandi opened the doors to myUTOPIA, a premium boutique lifestyle centre that offers fitness classes and wellness services all in the same place, so you can tick off all the errands on your to-do list without having to zoom around the city.

What made you realise your previous career wasn’t working for you any more?

I had my own interior design company and we had a round-the-clock philosophy that meant I often worked right through the night. In the end, I was totally burnt out. But yoga changed my life. I always joke about having too many voices in my head, and yoga was the one thing that allowed me to find absolute calm and quiet. Plus all my children were finishing school and I felt like I wanted to do something for me. I took the gap and became an entrepreneur.

What did you hope to achieve with your business?

What’s the most coveted commodity in the world? Time. There’s a lack of it. You’re always under so much pressure in a world where everything is expected instantaneously. You have so little time for work-life integration. I wanted to maximise people’s time so they could get the most out of it. That’s why I created a space that could host multiple services and fitness classes. This is supposed to be your happy place; your nirvana.

What does myUTOPIA offer?

The number of options will make you giddy! You can try out BalletRIP, Pilates, dance classes, aerial yoga and suspended Pilates, HIIT classes, sculpt classes, boxing, as well as every type of yoga imaginable, from the fast-paced and heated to the restorative and calming. Once your class is over, you can freshen up in the fullyequipped changing rooms. You don’t have to lug around a huge gym bag because the showers are stocked with top-quality, all-natural shampoos, conditioners and shower gels. Hairdryers, fresh towels, deodorants, even hairbands await you as you finish your rinse-off.

What other services do you offer?

I wanted to create a boutique wellness centre for those who want something just a little nicer and a bit more curated, so people can do more in a shorter space of time. After your class you can treat yourself to a nutritious meal at Sana Café, squeeze in a blow-dry at the fully kitted hair salon, visit a kinesiologist, get a facial or wax at Eunoia, have ozone therapy, visit the tanning salon, and soon you’ll be able to get eyelash extensions or even try microblading at myUTOPIA. Even better, all the businesses are run by fellow women entrepreneurs. We’re all about women empowering other women.

How does myUTOPIA differ from a run-of-the-mill gym?

There is no ego involved here. Community is the most important thing to me, so it’s important that you never feel inadequate in a class. No matter their level, I want people to celebrate themselves just for giving it a try!

What is your next move?

My ultimate goal would be to launch a myUTOPIA in Johannesburg.

Any words of wisdom for aspiring entrepreneurs?

The entrepreneurial journey is hard and lonely. You have all these ups and downs, but you can’t go to your staff and say, ‘We’ve had a really tough month and I don’t know how I’m going to pay you.’ I remember when I had this idea and had no clue how it was all going to happen. I walked past this bookshop where I saw a poster that said, ‘If you’re not afraid of your dreams, they’re not big enough.’ That was a sign that said it’s okay to be afraid. Rely on the support of your tribe and your family – my husband has been intrumental in supporting my dreams. Always remember: you don’t ever fail in life – you either win or learn.

Address: 1st floor, The Cruise Terminal, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront Website: myutopia.co.za or download the app ‘myUTOPIA’. Instagram: @myutopia_sa

Conceptualised by 27-year-old Sarah Jane Bingham in her university dorm room where she first started sewing, Esjay Sportswear has become one of the trendiest sportswear brands around, seen in just about every gym and yoga studio and on most trail runs. Not only is Esjay beautiful to wear, offering prints and patterns designed by talented South African graphic designers and artists, it’s also a brand committed making a difference in the community.

How did you find your way into designing sportswear?

I was quite lost, to be honest. In 2014 I finished my honours degree in graphic design and visual communication design, but I still wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life. So I went to play hockey in the premier league in Australia for a few months. While I was there, I was training in international sports brands and was inspired. When I came back to South Africa in 2015, I jumped right into Esjay. I started very small by selling my sportswear to friends and family.

Being so active yourself must have helped!

I’ve spent my life in takkies, shorts and shirts – and not much has changed! When I run, my pet peeve is having to pull up my pants the whole time. And I hate having my tummy hanging over my tights. So I guess my most powerful asset is that I’m a part of my own target market. I test out all my ranges on myself and incorporate the things I want. For example, our tights have a higher cut so you don’t have to hold in your stomach.

Can’t you just work out in sweatpants and an old tee?

In my opinion, half your performance is psychological. When you dress well and feel comfortable, you automatically feel more confident. Whenever I saw my friends in snazzy sportswear, I noticed that they carried themselves well and performed better.

What’s your creative process?

I enjoy outsourcing to local artists and designers because there’s so much talent out there. I work very closely with them: I give them a brief, though I keep it vague; I like them to use their own style. Having various designers on board means Esjay can boast a range of different styles to appeal to everyone. But if you peek inside your tights, you’ll find a little note from me. It says, ‘Oh darling, you are more than enough.’

What other projects is your company involved in?

Esjay’s most popular and sold-out For Her range was created in response to the gender-based violence crisis. I had to take a stand. The For Her print features an illustrated pattern of women: women in hijab, black women, brown women, white women… every kind of woman. The whole idea was to create a print that people would wear proudly and that would raise questions and create conversations around gender-based violence. I raised R50 000 and donated the money to two charities: The Jes Foord Foundation, which helps raped and abused women, and Angels’ Care centre, an NPO in Howick that supports and cares for kids who have suffered the same fate.

Your greatest milestone?

I employ my own staff now – I have four ladies who sew the sportswear for me. But along with the milestones, come the struggles. Even five years down the line, things are still never perfect. You just learn to problem-solve along the way.

Website: esjaysports.co.za Instagram: @esjay_sports Facebook: Esjay