Name: Michel Lisa Johannessen

Position: Owner of MiLi Jo: Fashion Designer and Stylist

How I got here: Since a young age I was different to other young girls, instead of playing hopscotch outside I was hand-sewing garments together, cutting up my clothes and creating something else. My parents, seeing my gift and potential, encouraged me to follow my dreams. I left high school in Grade 9, went to college and completed my Matric in Clothing Production, followed by my National Diploma in Fashion Design at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. I graduated at 19! I then worked in the fashion industry for about a year and finally took the bold step of starting this journey.

I love my job because... this is what I was born to do. I was designed for this very purpose (no pun intended). I'm living my dream, what more could I ask for? The best thing about being your own boss is that your time is yours! So if I put extra effort in today, tomorrow I might just be off!

The thing that drives me crazy is... I tend to procrastinate like almost all creatives – I know that when I do this leads to a huge work load. Luckily for me I have strength that overshadows my weakness, and that is working extremely well under pressure!

You'll love my job if you are... passionate about fashion, style, clothing and pretty things and if you are innovative, creative, an individual and a trendsetter. You also have to love working with your hands.

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