Tag: Matis Fourways

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slowly.

1 April 2015 – today = a decade of Matis Fourways under my (sometimes failing) leadership.

The past few weeks have been filled with anticipation. The (still live, enter HERE NOW) Instagram giveaway has managed to be a back-up countdown & tbh, I just cannot figure out how to feel!

I was chatting to a close friend of mine yesterday  & he showered me with compliments and well wishes, telling me how very proud he is of me & I should feel the same. These oxymoronic emotions trying to put up their hands begging to be recognised are throwing me on a pendulum between the proudest accomplishment of my life & the quiet voice asking “is this as good as it gets?”

I have put off writing this blog for weeks, and still scrambling thoughts on the screen in the hope it all comes together in the end. I suspect this could be what writer’s block feels like? Also, is it still writer’s block when you’re writing a few paragraphs, exactly 1 person is excited to read each month? 🤣

After much wafting about, I finally landed on a question I’d like to answer for myself on this public platform.

Q. What is the 1 most important thing I’ve learned over the past decade?

A. Do it slowly.

I sat at the Woolworths Café at Cedar square, ended the call to my friend & just slowly sipped my skinny cap. I opened the novel that’s recently captivated me & sat with my nose in the book, slowly taking in my very special Monday off. As I lifted my head to gaze out of the glass ahead I caught myself exactly where I planned to be. Blissfully enjoying a Monday morning, & doing it slowly and ever so intentionally. Also, we as a nation are sleeping on the Woolworths chilli eggs…

“It always pays to dwell slowly on the beautiful things – the more beautiful the more slowly.” – Atticus

How can this simple phrase be the biggest lesson in 10 years? Those who know me can attest to the speed at which I tackle every task. I often emerge from my office, loudly proclaiming the many ticks accomplished on my to-do list; looking for a “wow” from my staff *insert giggle🤭 *

Well, every time I tried to fix things by pushing & rushing, I always ended up only frustrating myself. Now, I’m not by any means saying that I’ll be confidently dragging my feet. I’m saying having the courage & faith to hand things over has been the hardest & most eye-opening lesson. Many times I still have to remind myself to slow down & just remember. Every single time I felt that I needed to work harder I packed all the stress, lack of sleep, and anxiety into a heavy camping back & carried it around constantly, only draining my energy, amounting to no forward movement. Now, when I look back, I can see moving forward was always inevitable, I just need to keep putting 1 foot in front of the other. Every time I felt like it was the end, the slow and steady decision to JUST take the next step has proven to be enough. Every low point was overcome, slowly. Stepping into the 2nd decade of steering the ship, I want to dive in with the reminder that slowly is how I smash these goals. I don’t have to prove how busy I am to anyone.

Yes, I admit, it’s been me in the driver’s seat. I must also admit, I didn’t do it alone, I did it with loved ones, with consistent clients, with amazing staff, and most importantly, with God. Giving me the certainty to move in a different direction has consistently worked in favour of this little business, I’m so thankful I remained obedient.

Closing this chapter feels bittersweet. A part of me wants to cling to the safety of remaining within the bounds of the decade, not feeling quite ready to take up new territory. And yet, the other part of me is so excited to find out how much I can stretch, how much I can believe in my ability as a leader. How good can it get?

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who has had a hand in ensuring Matis Fourways made it to the 10 year milestone under my leadership. A humble request to keep choosing us, and a hope that you will also take it day by day, slowly.

All my love,
Laurien

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It’s Within Reach

In a month I will officially have taken over Matis Fourways for 10 years.

My designer sent me the logo I had in mind as the first step in recognising & commemorating this milestone this morning & seeing it brought a rush of memories, & all the emotions that came with the rollercoaster that has been the last 10 years. Honestly, nothing could have prepared me for this emotional tsunami.

We don’t know how very unwilling the banks are to loan money to someone who is already self employed until said person decides to buy a salon. A little over 10 years ago my journey started with a lot of “No” & I eventually ended up buying a business with the help of my #1 supporter- my gorgeous mom, in instalments from the previous owner – AND she agreed to still work for me for a few months. My mother has so fearlessly believed in me! She has so easily invested in my dream, & even when I felt overwhelming guilt for not doing better, & sheer gratitude for how much she loves me that all I could do was cry; she just kept reminding me that I’m not alone.

I had no idea what was in store for me… The next 5 years were undoubtedly the most stressful years of my life; trying to manage expenses, working in the construction site that was Fourways Mall, & trying to hold myself together was like trying to climb a mountain with no shoes, people on your shoulders, & a mustard seed of faith that the long string you’re clinging onto, tearing open flesh, won’t just snap & leave roadkill of what was once a woman’s dream & the people who depended on her.

I can clearly remember feeling like I had made the biggest mistake of my life, many times… There have been instances on this journey that I was saved purely by God’s grace. Stone cold business people with hearts seemingly as hard as the concrete used to build the  demise of many people’s lifelong dreams & only source of income. A pandemic that stole the lives and livelihood of countless, & yet Matis Fourways made it through – only by God’s grace. A man who thought underhanded moves would teach this woman that business is a man’s world, BUT God used him for my good.

As I take a pause to wipe away the tears- tasting the saltiness of the ones that escaped the tissue – & to take a sip of the salty water Veniva has introduced that feels like a physical representation in this moment  of the years I’ve cried. I can now close the door to my office & weep with thanksgiving to my father who has never failed me. He has carried me though the lowest valleys & reminds me that HE is holding the string on the top of that mountain.

This is not where my story ends, I give all the glory to God that His plan for my life is far more beautiful, more abundant & more joyful than I could ever imagine. How wonderful it is to be in the palm of His hand.

This month, I’m just going to pause & take stock. I’m going to take a very wise man’s advise & stand on every promise He has kept & be reminded that He will never fail.

To every single one of our amazing clients who continue to choose Matis Fourways over & over, – there are no words to express my gratitude. To my unbelievable landlords, I thank God for you all every day. To my staff, you are what makes the wheels turn, & my phenomenal mom – none is this would have been possible without you.

I hope my story  will remind someone that nothing is too far, whatever you can imagine is within reach.

With an overflowing heart,

Laurien

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Open doors.

At the beginning of each year Pastor Nic declares a word over the church, over the church family & for each soul represented. I’m not sure if his line to Jesus is a little clearer than most of ours… because we surely see the fruit of his lips unfolding around us. I’m so grateful to be where I am today; tested and momentarily gave up, but He remains faithful! I honestly don’t know how people who don’t have a relationship with Christ cope with life, people are harsh, hurtful and sometimes just evil; how else do we remain unchanged by the world? It’s no wonder there is so much reference of us being IN the world but not OF the world.

This year took me to possibly the darkest place I’ve ever been. I wrestled with depression and became overwhelmed with guilt for not having joy. An internal battle that far removed me from the voice of my creator, but never able to remove His love from me… ❤️

Finding my way through couldn’t have been more beautiful, no Hollywood scriptwriter or 19th century poet could have brought it to life; my path was determined and there was no other way. In this year of open doors I felt suffocated, in this year of open doors I felt like I had been reaching, stretching and clawing forward, only to find myself further behind. Feeling like this year of open doors was for everyone besides me, until everything changed so fast, I was terrified to believe it was reality. I have a friend (cherished sister) who thanked me for sticking with her this year & I realised that it’s the bad, the ugly, the painful, the “tornadoes” that show us who we really are, & who the people around us are. Maybe they are more beneficial than we’d like to admit? Have you ever looked back & saw a profound lesson after the biggest storms?

Today I’m sitting in my little office, every now & then glaring out of the window, sipping on my GL♥️♥️T , thinking about the old school RnB I’m going to hear at the spot that does the best parmesan chips… grateful for my guy who makes my heart a little softer every time I think of him, my phenomenal besties, and SOOO many other things. I have the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Just when you’re about to give up, at the end of the road, when we think that we’ll never make it; things can still turn around. Never in a gazillion years did I think I’d say this… but…  I’m living proof! Not quite sure if it’s the meds or the amazing dance class I did this morning, (my hips weren’t lying 🤣),  but I think I’ve become that annoying overly grateful person that I usually roll my eyes at; and I’m not hating it…

We’re entering the last month of the year, again! Everyone loosing their patience, overly exhausted, stressed out about Christmas lunch & shopping, yes, we can’t escape it. I just hope in the midst of it all, you can also stop and think about what you’re grateful for. If your season of “stuck” isn’t quite over yet, Pastor Nic told me to tell you – the year isn’t over yet

I hope to see you in the salon soon so that my INCREDIBLE staff can help get you holiday ready. We’re getting crazy busy so please book ASAP! our last day of work for 2024 is the 24th of December, we will be back on the 7th of Jan to welcome you into 2025 with a smile.
From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and a blessed, fruitful & joyful New Year 🎉