From starting out with just a laptop and a dream to becoming a nationally recognised entrepreneur, Cheryl-Lynn Freeman’s story is one of grit, faith, and determination. Her work has not only shaped her own path, but has also opened doors for countless small businesses and young people to thrive. Bizmag sat down with Cheryl-Lynn to talk about the highs, the lows, and the hard-earned wisdom of building her business, Mzansi Business Services, against the odds.
Q: Can you take us back to the beginning? What inspired your journey into entrepreneurship?
My journey is rooted in both adversity and ambition. I grew up on the Cape Flats, where survival often came before strategy. Losing my mother to breast cancer in 2017 and going through a difficult divorce left me at one of my lowest points—financially and emotionally. But out of those painful chapters, my mission became clear: I wanted to empower women, youth, and township entrepreneurs to break cycles of struggle through financial literacy, structure, and digital tools.
I studied Financial Accounting, became an Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Fellow, and later realised that so many SMMEs and informal traders had no access to affordable, professional financial services. I started my business with just a laptop and a Gumtree ad. What began as a one-woman hustle is now an organisation training interns, supporting township entrepreneurs, and helping thousands gain financial skills.
Q: What were the early challenges of starting out with so little?
Honestly, almost everything was a challenge—cash flow, credibility, and capacity. I had to prove that a young woman from the Cape Flats could deliver professional, trustworthy services. I wore all the hats: sales, accounting, admin, training. The real shift came when I learned to build systems and a team. Delegating and documenting processes was what allowed me to scale beyond myself.
Q: You’ve spoken openly about personal struggles, including grief and trauma. How did you manage to keep going while facing those?
That’s probably been my hardest test. I was grieving my mom, recovering from abuse, raising foster kids, and trying to build a business at the same time. It felt like I had to wear strength as a uniform.
What carried me was faith, purpose, and therapy. I leaned into scriptures that reminded me there was still a future worth building. I used my pain to connect with others—especially women who felt overlooked or stuck. And I redefined success: it wasn’t just about revenue, but about progress, resilience, and creating systems that outlived my struggles.
Q: Many entrepreneurs talk about team-building as a turning point. Has that been true for you?
Absolutely. Scaling was only possible once I stopped trying to do everything myself. Building a strong, skilled team—and investing in interns from townships—has been game-changing.
We created standard operating procedures, trained interns in Excel and QuickBooks, and leveraged simple tools like Google Drive and dashboards. Suddenly, the chaos became clarity. My biggest lesson here: hiring isn’t enough. Training, delegation, and clear systems are what build sustainability.
Q: What’s been the biggest challenge in running a business like yours?
Balancing rapid growth with consistent service delivery. In finance and compliance, one mistake can erode trust. Early on, we struggled with communication gaps and being too dependent on key people. Addressing that required restructuring roles, training interns at scale, and investing heavily in tech systems.
Q: And on a personal level—what do you consider your biggest challenge?
Carrying personal loss while still leading. Losing my mother was devastating. She was my role model—always giving, always lifting others. For a long time, I felt I had to live up to that strength while breaking quietly inside. Over time, I learned that vulnerability is not weakness—it’s part of authentic leadership. My story, as painful as it is, has become my superpower.
Q: You operate at the intersection of finance and tech. What has that been like in South Africa?
It’s both challenging and rewarding. Many small businesses still use pen-and-paper systems, and the digital divide is very real—limited internet access, low digital literacy, and resistance to formalisation. But that gap is also opportunity.
We don’t wait for technology to “trickle down.” We bring it directly into communities—through training bootcamps, internships, and workshops. Sometimes it means teaching basics like logging in or reading a report. But when people get it, the transformation is incredible.
Q: Can you share some highlights of your recent awards, successes, and accomplishments?
It’s been an exciting season. Some recent highlights include:
- 2025 Runner-Up: Cape Argus Women in Business Competition
- 2025 Finalist: Standard Bank EmpowerHER Conference
- 2025 Finalist: SMEgo Old Mutual Pitchathon
- Building a digital following of 45,000+ on TikTok, where I share business and finance tips in a simple, accessible way.
- Training over 1,400 students in bookkeeping, Excel, and QuickBooks through our academy, creating job opportunities and a new generation of financial professionals.
Each of these milestones isn’t just about recognition—it’s about proving that township-rooted businesses can compete and thrive on national platforms.
Q: What impact have you seen your work have on others?
That’s the most rewarding part. We’ve seen clients move from informal hustling to running structured, compliant businesses. Many of them have, for the first time, accessed funding, tenders, or supplier databases because their books were finally in order.
Our training programmes have helped unemployed youth step into jobs as bookkeepers, admin assistants, and even launch their own freelance businesses. One of my favourite success stories is of women who entered our bookkeeping bootcamps with no experience and are now managing finances for multiple small businesses—becoming providers in their households and leaders in their communities.
So yes, our work goes beyond compliance. It transforms lives, restores dignity, and helps people rise from survival mode into sustainable success.
Q: Looking back, what are some key lessons you’d share with fellow entrepreneurs?
- Build systems before you scale. Structure is what allows you to grow.
- Start where you are. I began with a laptop and a mission. Don’t wait to be “ready.”
- Invest in people first. Your team and community will drive long-term success.
- Keep learning. I’m studying for a Master’s in Digital Marketing and AI right now. Growth never stops.
- Lead with purpose. When motivation dries up, your “why” keeps you going.
Q: And personally—what advice has kept you grounded?
- Your story is your superpower. Don’t be ashamed of the hard parts—they’re what make you relatable.
- Protect your energy. Burnout is real. Learn to say no and build boundaries.
- Walk by faith, not just strategy. Plans matter, but courage and conviction move mountains.
Q: Who has inspired or mentored you along the way?
My late mother, Anneline, is my eternal role model. She didn’t have a corporate title, but she taught me resilience, generosity, and faith. Professionally, becoming a Fellow of the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation was life-changing. The mentors and venture builders there taught me to think bigger, scale smarter, and lead with impact.
Q: Finally—what vision drives you forward?
If I could change the world, I’d start in the places people often overlook—townships, informal markets, and pavement stalls. That’s where brilliance lives, even if it doesn’t wear a suit or speak boardroom language.
But I’m not waiting for permission. Through Mzansi Business Services and our training academy, we’re already helping spaza shop owners, stokvel leaders, and unemployed youth step into opportunity. My vision is simple: Mzansi rises when all of us rise.
Cheryl-Lynn Freeman’s journey reminds us that entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path—it is a test of resilience, vision, and the courage to keep building when the odds are stacked against you. Her story is more than one woman’s rise; it’s a reminder that with purpose and perseverance, businesses can become movements, and movements can change communities. For every entrepreneur navigating challenges, her message is clear: start where you are, use what you have, and never underestimate the power of your story to inspire others.
