Durban entrepreneur shares how she's building an empire
As the country celebrates Youth Month this June, her story is one of bold ideas, resilience, and a fearless desire to do things differently.
Also read: WATCH: World of Miniatures Fair brings cinematic charm and tiny treasures to Westville
Gooderson is a business partner in three ventures: Vibe and Thrive, a wellness event concept; NüDrip, an IV health and wellness lab; and Trimtreats, a line of healthy condiments.
Another business, still under wraps, is on the way. Each initiative is tied to her passions: health, social media, fashion, and above all, independence.
'I always knew I didn't want to work for someone else. I wanted to create something of my own,' she said.
Her late grandfather, an entrepreneur himself, was a major influence. His passing marked a turning point.
'I realised studying was something I was doing for him, not myself. Now I want to make him proud by building something real, something mine,' she said.
The journey hasn't been without challenges. The biggest hurdle for Gooderson has been money – she has been trying to execute big ideas with small budgets.
From planning wellness events to launching products, every step has required grit and creativity.
'Execution is the hardest part. From ticket sales to safety logistics, every detail matters.'
@caxtonlocalmedia
Each June, South Africa commemorates YouthMonth in honour of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when brave students stood against an oppressive education system. Their legacy lives on, reminding the nation of the power of young voices. As we reflect on their sacrifice, #Youth Month 2025 also calls on today's youth to lead the way toward a more just and inclusive future. This week we feature Cheyenne Gooderson whose ultimate aim is to create something of her own. YouthDay YouthDaySouthAfrica #June16 #sowetouprising
♬ original sound – caxtonlocalmedia – caxtonlocalmedia
What sets Gooderson apart is her ability to spot what's missing.
'A lot of my ideas come from things I wish existed. If I want it, someone else probably does too,' she said.
That insight, coupled with her ambition and drive, fuels her work ethic. She's also candid about the pressure young people face.
'Everyone around me was going to university. I felt like I missed out. But I've come to realise that it's okay to take time to figure things out. We have all the time in the world,' she reflected.
Her message to the youth is: Don't fear failure.
'We've all read about people who failed many times before they made it. Just start, that's the hardest part. Youth is not a barrier, it's a launching pad,' she added.
Besides building an empire, Gooderson also dreams of becoming Miss SA.
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
9 hours ago
- IOL News
Kourtney Jade's courageous journey: why she moved her family to South Africa for a fresh start
Kourtney Jade opened up about the real reasons behind her moving her family from the US to South Africa. Image: TikTok 'I was tired. In my twenties. I was tired. I was exhausted from the rat race.' These were the candid words of Kourtney Jade (@iamkourtneyjade), an American-born mother of two and content creator who made the bold choice to uproot her family and move across the Atlantic to South Africa. In a heartfelt TikTok video titled "Why I moved to South Africa", Jade shares her personal journey, reflecting on the challenges faced by African American women and people of colour in the United States. Jade's decision wasn't made lightly. 'This is me showing up in MY TRUTH. I made the move for myself, for my family, but we televised it for the culture,' she explains, underscoring her commitment to inspire others. 'More of us need to know that this is possible. We need to know that there are people who look like us who are no longer struggling.' In her video, she reveals the overwhelming pressures that plagued her daily life in the States. 'I literally sold everything that I had acquired over my whole life in about three months so that I could relocate with my partner and my kids to a new country because I was tired.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ @iamkourtneyjade This is the real reason that I moved from America to South Africa. this is the truth and it's rawest form. This is me showing up in MY TRUTH. I made the move for myself , for my family, but we televised it for the culture . More of us need to know that this is possible . We need to know that there's people that look like us that are no longer struggling . We need to know that heaven is not the only place that you can get rest 🩷 I hope this is received with peace, love, and light. Because that's my message. ♬ original sound - Iamkourtneyjade The strain of mounting bills, a lack of meaningful financial compensation and neglecting her mental health led her to seek a fresh start in South Africa. Jade's experiences mirror those of many single mothers, recounting the emotional toll of watching her own mother struggle to raise two children alone. The fear of repeating that cycle spurred her on. 'I was scared to become my mom,' she admitted. Having had children at the same age as her mother, Jade felt an increasing resentment for the path she was treading. 'I wanted to be a mom. I wanted to be a lady; I wanted to be a flower. I wanted to be well-kept; I wanted to be easygoing,' she said, yearning for a life free from anxiety and stress - qualities she felt were unattainable in America. The overwhelming demands of her previous life drove her to sell everything; she arrived in South Africa with little more than two suitcases for each family member. Though she paints a picture of beauty and adventure as an expatriate, Jade does not shy away from the hardships that came with her transition.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Fast and cheap alternative? Jozi woman brags about R12 Uber Moto trip
A Johannesburg woman is raving about her experience using the new Uber Moto feature, which offers a motorcycle ride to your next destination. The concept was introduced to South Africa a few months ago as an affordable alternative to traditional e-hailing trips. It is currently being piloted in the Johannesburg area. TikTok user Mośebodi Mary Morotoba shared a clip of her experience using an Uber Moto this week. The Johannesburg woman revealed that she spent just R12,25 for an e-hailing trip to her destination. In the clip, Morotoba was seated behind the motorbike driver who whizzed his way through the city's traffic. 'I'm obsessed', she captioned the clip. When asked about her unique Uber experience, the woman responded to a follower: 'Very nice.' @ @Uber ♬ Jet2 Advert – ✈️A7-BBH | MAN 🇬🇧 According to Uber, the new Moto ride-sharing feature was recently introduced to meet the demand of e-hailing requests and offer quicker, affordable, and more 'comfortable' alternatives to public transport. The rides are for single passengers, also known as pillion drivers. While payment and safety features work similarly to those of a traditional mode of transport, the safety features of being a passenger on a motorbike are obviously different. Passengers are given a spare helmet by the driver, and advised to hold onto the handlebars at the back of the motorbike,. 'People are firstly uncertain about the modality of the transport itself. Is it safe? Will it get me to the place? But once they experience it, their perception is changed', Uber's GM for Sub-Saharan Africa Deepesh Thomas told Business Live. With over two million active e-hailing passengers in South Africa, the Moto service will be based on demand and supply. 'We also expect to have a national rollout in the future, but now [the] focus is to scale this up in Johannesburg, and let's do it responsibly and safely. And once it makes sense here, we'll look at other cities. And not just the core cities, maybe even in the smaller cities, if there's sufficient demand', he added. Meanwhile, road safety experts are raising concerns that Uber Moto is not only irresponsible but also dangerous. Motorcycle Safety Institute of South Africa's Hein Jonker told MyBroadBand: 'It's about making money; it is not about the life carried by an incompetent and underqualified rider in an unsafe environment on a most likely incapable motorcycle. 'There are just too many variables to address and too few laws or regulations to effectively manage such a programme' Jonker added that in order for motorbike drivers to carry passengers, they must possess a special PrDP and K53 licence, something that is glaringly omitted from the FAQ. managing director Rob Handfield-Jones added that being a motorbike passenger or pillion, required a special skill too, and was not something average commuters were accustomed to. Another concern was the lack of helmet sizing, given that drivers carry just one spare. Sharing the same helmet as other passengers could spread skin and hair infections. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
a day ago
- IOL News
Dog trainer calls out the breed he would not have as a family pet
Canine behaviourist Will Atherton warns against the energetic Springer Spaniel as a family pet. Choosing the right dog breed for your family is more than just picking a pet -it's about matching energy levels, training needs, and daily lifestyle. Clinical Canine behaviourist Will Atherton, who shares advice with nearly a million followers on TikTok, has named a breed he advises most people to avoid bringing into busy family homes: the charismatic but high-octane Springer Spaniel. Atherton often helps prospective owners select dogs suited to their way of life. In one of his most-viewed videos, a viewer asked, 'Why do you hate spaniels so much?' Atherton responded plainly: 'I promise you that isn't the case whatsoever,' clarifying that his caution is not rooted in dislike Still, he admits the breed can be a poor fit for many households. 'There aren't actually any breeds that I hate, but I just strongly believe that breeds have a purpose,' he says, and warns that 'for most people the Springer Spaniel is a terrible choice.' Their relentless energy and ingrained instincts make it challenging to simply relax with one on the sofa.
