Startup Story
For anyone wanting to get ahead in life and in business, having a confident, authentic personal brand is essential, as it encourages better relationship building and creates more opportunities. Marina Prinsloo, founder of the TICIA Group in South Africa, is helping clients to become better versions of themselves through confident and authentic communication, engagement and personal positioning skills.
LoA chatted to founder Marina Prinsloo this month to learn more about what it takes to build the essential confidence, skills and know-how to create a powerful personal brand.
“Our carefully developed curriculum and programmes offer our clients the necessary skills, confidence and ability to be take themselves to the next level of becoming a better version of themselves.”
“We are unique in our own way. The thing is for us to keep at it; keep trying and pushing on until we gain the exposure we require, or a platform that enables our uniqueness to be wholly appreciated.”
What does your company do?
Image, personal and organisational development is paramount to the success of people and businesses alike in the ever changing and advancing world we live in. Research has proven a widespread demand for authentic and confident professionalism in the workplace with social platforms that encourage people interaction and communication. However, many people require the necessary skill and knowledge in projecting and communicating in an appropriate and professional way.
Our carefully developed curriculum and programmes offer our clients the necessary skills, confidence and ability to be take themselves to the next level of becoming a better version of themselves, creating a personal brand, projecting their true essence and style, while being truly authentic.
We also have a training department specifically focussed on training internationally certified Image Professionals. TICIA training programmes are written and presented according to the international standards and ethics as prescribed by AICI, FIPI and APICSA. As the science of Image is growing and expanding globally, our training material is consistently amended and enhanced to ensure we level up and stay aligned with the changing research and trends. The Image Consultants International Academy is an accredited Image Consultancy Training facility that runs the full spectrum of Image and Etiquette relevant training to qualify people as an International Image professional within the industry. Training is presented by lecturers who are experts in their related fields. We are the largest image training academy in Africa with branches in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia.
In 2019 we added an events segment in collaboration with Sharon Ransom Events and The Maslow Hotel, Sun Square to our portfolio, organizing bi-monthly business breakfasts with high level speakers like Dr Anna Mokgokong, Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi - women’s conferences.
What inspired you to start your company?
I have always had a passion for fashion, training and women empowerment. And being a professional Image Coach gave me the platform to combine all 3 facets. Being able to help people grow into the best they can be. When I added the academy segment in 2002 it really capsulated the women empowerment - now myself and staff could train women to start their own businesses for financial independence. The Image Consultants International Academy was founded after years in the image industry in South Africa and seeing the gaps between national and international standards and modules presented. Training is presented by lecturers who are experts in their related fields.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We are the Leading Image Training Institution in AFRICA. Modern and up to date study materials. We teach step by step, believing in an interactive approach to training. We keep our trainees studying fast, in class, home based or workshops. Great academic support -- and we keep our students motivated. Lecturers are experts in their field and always ready to give guidance. It is easy to get hold of the team. And we love helping our students! Trainees, past and present get lots of contacts from us...we know they need someone who helps and guides them. Our training programmes are value for money.
“Sometimes all that people need is for others to encourage them, and not just in ‘words’ but to guide them, let them know of their options and steps they could take to get themselves there.”
Tell us a little about your team
Angela Perdichizzi: Angela has the mission of reaching as many people as possible, with the message that our power lies within, that we are all unique and we all have purpose. Through our programmes, Angela offers self-development and organizational development interventions for a better world of leaders, entrepreneurs and social investors. Angela’s ultimate goal is to empower others to live a joyous and meaningful life, in service of society and human development.
Angela has worked with government funded programs to provide skills and find jobs for disadvantaged people in our communities and provided coaching and learning to leaders on our continent (South Africa, Botswana Kenya, Ghana and Mauritius). Angela has been involved in the development of women’s self-esteem and confidence and co-founder of Body Confidence International Empowerment Awards (Pty) Ltd. Angela has presented at many conferences and inspired women in South Africa and abroad.
Marina Prinsloo AICI, APICSA is major shareholder and Managing Director SA & International of the TICIA Group. With branches in SA, Namibia and Botswana, Zambia & China (in collaboration with Hippo College) Marina brings to her work as an International Qualified Master Image Consultant (She is one of only 3 in SA & 4 in Africa) Body Confidence Coach, Executive Trainer and public speaker, 21 years of experience in fashion, personal branding, training, and a lifelong interest in helping others achieve their maximum potential.
Marina received the Standard Bank Women in Business Nominee 2017 for best trainer and her company TICIA was voted best Corporate Image Consultancy in Africa 2017/18. Marina is also been crowned in November 2018 as the Mrs Pretoria-Tshwane 2019 where she has an ambassadorial role to promote the City of Pretoria – Tshwane nationally and internationally. She is experienced in image soft skill development, career and life coaching, public speaking and pageant & modelling design, garment construction & fashion show production. She has produced and directed a multitude of fashion-shows and judged as many Beauty Pageant nationally & Internationally.
As a corporate and Image soft skill trainer she provides programmes in image management, communication skills, corporate protocol, etiquette and presentation skills to companies and individuals. She and her business partner, Angela Perdichizzi have also launched a new, but vital organization – Body Confidence International, (BCI) advocates for equitable and inclusive images, messages, practices and policies supporting body diversity. Through progressive community engagement, consulting and research, Body Confidence International strives to create an enhanced socio-cultural environment where all bodies can not only survive but thrive without fear of discrimination! Working towards a stronger inner confidence— best beauty secret!
Basetsana Mbewe - Zambia operations: Basetsana has been in the modelling industry for 25 years; firstly as a model for over 10 years, and for 15 years as an agent, a fashion show organiser , grooming upcoming models, marketing her own fashion label and running her own modelling agency. She launched Base Model Agency in Botswana twenty years ago followed by Model-IT Agency launched in 2007 in South Africa. Although she has experience and learned in the modelling field, passion and purpose drives her more. The ultimate desire is to empower women and the youth in general. She also aims to help the abused and hopeless- to heal and retain their confidence. The vision of her agency is to build self-esteem and character in order for each individual to reach their full potential in various areas of their lives.
We are unique in our own way. The thing is for us to keep at it; keep trying and pushing on until we gain the exposure we require, or a platform that enables our uniqueness to be wholly appreciated. Unfortunately, sometimes we hold ourselves back through fear and belief that great things happen only to others. Sometimes all that people need is for others to encourage them, and not just in ‘words’ but to guide them- let them know of their options and steps they could take to get themselves there.
Jennifer Osei-Mensah - Botswana: Be the Change You Want to See is an adage I firmly subscribe to. I believe every individual has the power to positively change their perspective and circumstance they find themselves in. Image directly impacts the way that we interact and how the world perceives us. It is my undertaking to empower individuals as well as corporations to discover and achieve a look that brings joy, personal satisfaction and supports success, whilst building the Botswana brand in the multifaceted arena of image management. My consulting services are aimed towards helping you achieve your utmost potential as a well-groomed person or well-presented corporation. In the sphere of training, I aspire to provide specialized image related trainings to individuals and cooperation’s, empowering them to live the TICA brand -passion purpose and productivity.
Hazel Masvanhise - Namibia: My desire to empower and motivate individuals and companies to a realization of their best lives. It is my goal to bring out the best in an individual or business and to transform their appearance, lifestyle and behaviour. We train, coach, mentor and impart knowledge and world class skills. We are committed to excellent service, attracting and facilitating corporate and individual projects. An excellent leader, entrepreneur and conference speaker with a track, record of contributions leading to improved business performance and quality enhancement.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I definitely do not come from an entrepreneurial background. I started my corporate career in Nedbank in 1994 in the securities department and moved in 1995 to British American Tobacco in its Internal Training department. Got married in 1998 and had my eldest in the same year. In 1999 I opened a modelling & finishing academy aimed at teenagers and young adults; this academy ran after-hours. Still working for BAT. Then the opportunity came when BAT decided to relocate to Stellenbosch and gave me a retrenchment package. I knew I did not want to work for a corporate again but wanted a flexible career that I could plan around my family. I then added Image consulting to my modelling academy, and after a few months the Image coaching consultancy got so busy that I had to sell the modelling academy. From there TICIA grew into the company it is today, with strong supportive women who want to see each other succeed and share that with the world.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We are in negotiations to open more branches in other African countries. TICIA is for Africa. My goal: To see a branch in every African country run by women who want to empower other women.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Seeing TICIA grow and presenting other women with the same opportunities TICIA has presented to me.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Follow your passion, you have to love what you do, especially in the beginning when finances do not flow in as quickly as you want. If it is not your passion, you will not have the courage to stick with it. Make sure you have all the tools and support needed to give your start up a good chance to succeed. Don't be afraid to ask for advice and where needed, assistance. Be brave and follow your goals.
Contact or follow TICIA Group
FACEBOOK | EMAIL marina@theimage.co.za
Why LoA loves it…
At Lionesses of Africa, we love to share the stories of women entrepreneurs who are helping their fellow women to grow, develop as business people, gain in confidence and skills. Marina Prinsloo and her team at TICIA Group are doing just that. They know just how to help women to harness their unique skills and personality traits to become the best versions of themselves, ensuring they remain authentic at all times. This is empowering coaching and development for women who want to get ahead in life and in business. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa