She’s the Founder & co-owner of Beautique Group, and to me is a laser hair removal guru! Tzvia Hermann shares just how important celebrating Women in South Africa is to her and much more!
GLAMOUR: What does Women's Month mean to you?
TZVIA HERMANN: As a sister, mother, wife, educator and entrepreneur, International Women's Day holds a profound significance for me. I believe it’s not just imperative that we celebrate the progress made in advancing women's rights, but even more important to remember the persistent struggles we still have to face with gender equality. Especially in our country, South Africa, there is still a lot of work to be done in breaking down barriers and eradicating gender-based violence, and ensuring that women from all walks of life have the freedom to pursue their dreams without fear of discrimination or prejudice.
This day and the month of August should serve as a tribute to the achievements and contributions of ALL women across the globe, highlighting their spirit, resilience, and unwavering determination.
Women are the pillars of communities who play important roles as mothers, teachers, caregivers, educators, leaders and professionals. It’s about recognising these unsung heroes among women who make invaluable contributions, quietly shaping the world around them with their resilience, compassion, and determination.
It's also about the powerhouse women who boldly break barriers and inspire generations with their unapologetic pursuit of excellence. These women challenge the status quo and pave the way for a future where equal pay for women and gender equality is not just a goal, but a lived reality.
As we honour these unsung heroes and powerhouse women, we work towards building a world where every woman's potential is recognized, respected, and embraced, allowing them to reach their fullest potential.
GLAMOUR: Why is it important to celebrate the women of South Africa?
TH: As mentioned above, celebrating Women's Day/month holds particular significance in South Africa due to the country's historical and ongoing struggle for gender equality and women's rights. Our complex history of discrimination, racial injustice, and gender-based violence. This particularly affected me during the Covid pandemic when the rise of gender-based violence got to a point where even the president had to repeatedly make our country aware that we do not tolerate gender-based violence.
This inspired me to create a game called Flipping Queens. In the game, the Queen cards are of utmost importance. One can only win when using the Kings and Queens together.
By commemorating International Women's Day in South Africa, the nation acknowledges and honours the importance of women in society and their importance throughout history. It provides a platform to raise awareness about the challenges women continue to face, including gender-based violence, unequal access to education and healthcare, and economic disparities. The day serves as a call to action, encouraging society to address these issues, empower women, and promote gender equality at all levels.
GLAMOUR:What inspires you to be successful?
TH: I want to make my family proud. When I say family, I mean my relatives and my work family. We are a tribe of one man and many women at TLB. They are as much my family as my blood relatives. Seeing my son and daughter proud of their parents and seeing our Beau-gicans (therapists) proud to be part of our TLB tribe is what inspires me to achieve more. When Beau-gicians express their love and loyalty for the brand and tribe, I know we have done right. It's all about inspiring others. When you inspire others, you, yourself are inspired.
GLAMOUR: What do you think is the most significant barrier to female success?
TH: The most significant barrier to female success is the persistence of old-school gender norms and attitudes, not only by some men but also by some women, who still have traditional and outdated views of women's roles and capabilities. These attitudes limit opportunities for women to fully excel in various fields.
It's those silly jokes you still hear and those pathetic memes that go around. Those are really damaging.
When both men and women continue to live in the past with notions that confine women to domestic roles undervalue and hinder gender equality We all need to make a concerted effort to challenge and change these ingrained beliefs.
GLAMOUR: What is your biggest motivation?
TH: My daughter and the powerhouse woman I work with every day. I think about some of the ladies that started at Laser Beautique, young, shy and insecure, whereas today they are bold, confident and inspire others! Sometimes, I can’t believe that I have made such a difference. It motivates me even more.
GLAMOUR: What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
TH: You are who your friends are. Invest and surround yourself with real and down-to-earth friends who will be there for you and who you feel will one day be successful. Plan your future. Put together a 5-year plan. Don’t rely on anyone but yourself. Knowledge is power. Go out and find out more, ask and read more. Don’t spend all you earn. Strive to become financially independent as early on in life as possible. Save and invest as early as you can. Do not take out a credit card unless you are just trying to build a good credit history. Pay credit cards off every month. Read financial books. Once you are financially independent and you don’t depend on a job to survive, you can start assisting others to become financially independent.
GLAMOUR: Which women are on your radar and why?
TH: Rachel Kolisi – A client of Laser Beautique. Down to earth and real. Has used her fame to do so much good and to inspire so many. I have a lot of respect for her.
Shawnee Reid – A young tik toker/model who is real and very funny. Also comes to TLB for treatments.
Claudine Ulmann – hilarious comedian who has broken every rule in the book. She is not just funny but a gem! She entered Mrs South Africa. Made me laugh every day leading up to the final.
Jade Kirkel and Dani Silberman have started a South African kid’s shoe brand called JoyJoy. Jade is Ian Fuhr’s Daughter. Ian founded Sorbet, South Africa’s largest beauty salon chain. Jade worked with Ian. She was the woman behind the look and feel of the sorbet brand. The Sorbet brand empowered and employed thousands of women. I have been watching the Joyjoy brand launch and have a lot of faith in it.
Little Miss Louch is just a force to be reckoned with. She is a creative, storyteller, an entrepreneur and just a breath of fresh air. She opened a recording studio where I recorded the voiceovers for my Flipping Queens game advert.
GLAMOUR: What’s your message to women in business?
TH: Always be grateful and always aspire for more. If you don’t ask, you don’t get BUT first, make yourself irreplaceable, then ask.
Make sure you know and live by your core values. It's not hard to make decisions when you know your core values.
GLAMOUR: How are you celebrating Women’s Month?
TH: I am going for a netball breakfast with my daughter and then going out with family and friends for early dinner.
GLAMOUR: Your favourite beauty moment OR The best advice you’ve received to date and from who?
TH:Just like a mother is as happy as her saddest child, a client's experience will never be as good as an employee's experience
