Apr 23 - JHB South East

een more growth to Momtrepreneurs as Louisa is starting ‘Come live with me’.
‘It boils down to the mums sending me their products and then we unpack it live
on video and tell people more about the product.
‘But let’s face it, this is not always without a downfall. Some say I get all these
things for free, however, they seem to lose sight of the fact that I do this for free
and that it takes time to get this done.
‘I do this because I want women to succeed and I am always there to support
and motivate them. Together, we as women are much stronger than one woman
standing alone.’
In a nutshell, Momtrepreneurs has a community of 60 000 women which, rightfully
so, makes Louisa an influencer, brand ambassador, as well as a product and
destination reviewer.
Local is lekker
Speaking of destinations, new experiences and making amazing memories are
something the Duarttee family holds close to heart. Together with her hubby
and two daughters, they often take little day trips, locally and a bit further - even
when on holiday where they visit places like coffee shops and nature reserves - in
short, tourist destinations.
‘It is extremely important to me that we support local and that local people
should support local entrepreneurs. And this is where the part of the destination
reviewer comes in.
‘When we visit these places, we will assess them, take photographs and post
about our experiences - all of this is also free of charge. And let me tell you, if I did
not like something that much, I will say it in the nicest way possible, but a review
will always be an honest one. We can only learn from each other. We can spread
hope by spreading messages about good places to visit.’
This is where Louisa chats about accessibility for children, the food and their
experience in general.
‘It costs us a bit but I feel it is important that people get to know about places
unknown to them and also try these out. We are all about local aren’t we,’ she said
with a smile.
If you are looking for a place to visit, pop over to Louisa’s page Unwrapped with
Louisa Duarttee.
Unpacking Louisa
There is more to Louisa than meets the eye and even though she calls herself an
introvert, the fact that she likes to share her experiences soon makes you realise
this is one woman with many sides to her.
In 2021 she wrote two children’s books in conjunction with Finesse (Carpe Diem
Media). One in which she talks about God and children and another named ‘Oulike
mammas maak ook foute’ (Cute mothers also make mistakes).
She has a passion for flying and skydiving and has free-falling ticked off her bucket
list. On her bucket list is to get a pilot’s license, write and publish more books
and be a television presenter or something along that line.
With her family being her all, their favourite family outings are somewhere in
nature. Whether they are cycling or hiking and they are big on coastal holidays.
‘Children don’t need tech all the time. They learn so much while experiencing
nature and it brings us as a family closer together.’
She is also involved in a fundraising effort to buy a much-needed wheelchair for
a young boy with cerebral palsy and is involved in a sandwich project for children
who don’t have the luxury of a lunchbox coming from home.
‘One day, I will also run my own NGO with many outreach programmes to those
so vulnerable,’ she said and again, you could hear the determination in her voice.
‘To that, you can also add they I’d love to run my own coffee shop one day, even
if it is small.’
As we touch on Easter, her face lights up and she explained that as with Christmas
she goes all out to make it a special occasion - complete with chocolate
treats, homemade of course, where everyone chips in.
I do this because I
want women
to succeed.
Together we are so
much stronger
than one woman
standing alone
Wrapping it up
With so many ideas coming from her,
one has to end an interview at some
stage and we wrap it up with a few offthe-cuff
questions.
She is an outdoor girl who loves the
sunshine.
‘I most certainly am a foodie and love
to travel ... but I am not really into art.’
When asked what she always has with
her, except for her cell phone, she
laughs, ‘My children of course, that is
when they are not at school. Oh and
my handbag,’ and then with a small
guilty smile she admits, ‘and a chocolate
of course’.
Tights and ‘small’ dresses are among
her wardrobe must-haves and she lives
by the motto that you simply have to
be authentically you. ‘I do dislike people
who cannot be sincere and true to
themselves.’
A last question to Louisa was if she
could change one thing in the world,
what would that be the answer came
without hesitation, ‘Every child must
have enough food and must be loved.
It breaks my heart that we have so
many children who have to go without
these basics.’
April 2023 Get It Joburg South • Alberton • Bedfordview • Greenstone • Modderfontein 15
Text: CARINA VAN DER WALT. Photo: ALLURE SENSATIONAL. Make-up: THE NEW MAKEUP MASTERCLASS BY ALICIA SCHUTTE
GIS0407_014_934293327.indd 15 2023/03/16 10:15:18