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By Angelique Kuiper

Entrepreneurship has always been more than just starting a business – it is an act of courage, resilience, and belief in the power of possibility. My journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship has been shaped by experiences across continents, industries, and extraordinary challenges. It has also underscored the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and creating space for women to lead.

From corporate boardrooms to personal vision

For many years, I built my career in South Africa working with SABMiller. It was a place where I grew through diverse roles, developing an understanding of not just business operations, but also people, leadership, and strategy. I later moved with SABMiller to the UK to take on a global director role. After that, the Miller family of brands became part of Molson Coors, where I served as Global Director for Miller Genuine Draft. Working at that level across multiple markets broadened my horizons and gave me a perspective on how different cultures approach business growth and innovation.

Yet despite the opportunities, I felt a pull toward something more personal – an ambition to follow my own path. Leaving the corporate world was not an easy decision. It meant trading the certainty of a steady career for the unknowns of building something from scratch. But entrepreneurship often begins with a dream, and for me, it was the dream of shaping an enterprise that reflected my values, passions, and aspirations.

Launching a business in unprecedented times

In early 2020, I took the leap and started my own business. Just two months later, the world changed. COVID-19 swept across countries and industries, disrupting everything from supply chains to customer behaviour. For a new entrepreneur, the timing could not have been more daunting. The pandemic tested my resolve in ways I had never anticipated.

Securing clients became more complex, as companies shifted into survival mode. Building partnerships and networks – a vital part of any new business – was even harder in a world where face-to-face meetings were replaced overnight with screens and uncertainty. There were moments when I wondered if I had made the right decision. But resilience is forged in times of difficulty, and those early years taught me how to adapt quickly, to pivot, and to lean into creativity.

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Building networks across borders

Another challenge was the reality of being a South African entrepreneur in the UK. While my experience was global, my network was not as strong in a new country. Connections are everything in business: they open doors, spark collaborations, and provide critical support in difficult times. I had to be intentional about building my network from the ground up.

This meant reaching out with courage, even when it felt uncomfortable. It meant joining professional groups, seeking mentors, and being open to learning from others. Slowly, those efforts paid off. I discovered that networks are not built overnight – they are nurtured through trust, authenticity, and mutual support. Today, many of those early connections have become invaluable allies and collaborators.

Navigating leadership as a woman

As a woman in business, another reality became clear: the leadership landscape is still dominated by men in many industries. In corporate boardrooms and entrepreneurial spaces alike, women continue to face barriers, whether in being heard, being funded, or being promoted into key decision-making positions.

What also struck me was how entrepreneurship can feel like starting over, even after years of senior leadership in corporate roles. No matter the global titles or achievements I had accumulated, building my own business meant proving myself all over again. Many potential clients and partners hesitate to give a new business a chance without a long track record, and that lack of immediate credibility is one of the toughest hurdles entrepreneurs face. It is humbling, and at times frustrating, to realise that past corporate success doesn’t automatically translate into entrepreneurial trust.

For me, navigating these challenges required resilience, confidence, and a willingness to push through stereotypes. It also required finding and supporting other women on similar journeys. I believe strongly that women leaders have a responsibility to lift each other up – to create visibility, mentorship, and opportunities for the next generation. Representation matters, and when women see other women leading boldly, it sparks the belief that they can too.

Lessons in resilience and growth

Looking back, the lessons of entrepreneurship are clear. The first is that uncertainty is inevitable, but so too is growth when you remain adaptable. The second is that networks matter—investing in relationships is as important as investing in your business plan. And the third is that women in business must continue to claim space, even in rooms where their presence is still underrepresented.

Entrepreneurship is not for the faint-hearted, and in many ways it demands beginning again. Stepping out of a senior corporate role into a start-up of one’s own can feel like trading recognition for anonymity, credibility for questions, and established power for the vulnerability of the unproven. Yet within that challenge lies a unique kind of freedom—the chance to rebuild, reimagine, and redefine success on one’s own terms.

For me, it has been a journey of rediscovering my purpose, navigating immense challenges, and learning that leadership is as much about building others as it is about building oneself. In times of uncertainty, entrepreneurs are often the ones who innovate, who create, and who drive forward despite the odds. As a South African woman leading abroad, I hope my story inspires others to take that leap of faith—knowing that while the road may be tough and often feels like starting over, the destination is one of empowerment, possibility, and impact.

Angelique Kuiper is an experienced global leader turned entrepreneur.

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