Seven businesses.
One relentless operator.

Two businesses failed before this one worked.

In 2016 she was studying, waitressing, and carrying a car she couldn't afford. She started cleaning sneakers from home, moved out the same year, and kept running the business from her apartment. Word moved on social media before it moved anywhere else — and Takkie Wash SA became a Durban franchise with branches in Musgrave, Umhlanga Ridge and Hillcrest. She owns that franchise: she built it, she didn’t buy it.

She repurposed furniture from the restaurant she once waited tables in to open Linen & Mocha, a laundry and coffee bar. Then Nexa Water — an NFC-enabled water brand. Every venture is built on systems, staff she trains herself, and businesses designed to outlive their founder.

The audience came from documenting all of it in public. That audience is now the reason brands call.

Founder

Founded Takkie Wash SA after two failed business ventures — a part-time waitress and a go-getter.

Sweden

Travelled to study towards her Honours in Media and Communications at Högskolan Gävle University.

China

Travelled to exhibit Takkie Wash SA at the Maritime Silk Roadshow in Dongguan, China.

London, by invitation

Summoned by Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Academy of Engineering — one of only 20 young South Africans selected for a month-long, all-expenses-paid learnership. Spent the remaining five months across England cleaning shoes, caring for the elderly, and raising funds to push the business forward back home.

Had to shut the doors

The Covid-19 pandemic forced closures and debt to cover staff and rent. Sold her car to fund a second Takkie Wash SA branch in Pinetown.

KZN looting

Local businesses were devastated by the unrest. Sold vegetables to capitalise on the crisis and raised enough to invest in a pet-feed store. The Pinetown Takkie Wash branch didn't survive.

Solid systems

Took the businesses cashless, solidified operating systems, and began focusing on marketing once the brands felt strong enough to carry it.

Linen & Mocha founded

Began developing the concept, sourcing and storing stock, and fully shaping the brand while learning the craft of coffee.

Linen & Mocha launched

Opened in July 2024 alongside Hydrostop. The business was at its peak.

We survived

Opened a second Linen & Mocha branch inside an estate, and moved fully into catering with the café now serving corporates.

Property and the air-hotel

Purchased the commercial property that houses three of her businesses, and is launching the Presidential Suites air-hotel.

The portfolio

Three million views a month. Buyers, not spectators.

Majority women, deep in their earning years, watching a founder they trust make real decisions with real money. Integrations run as story-led series, not one-off posts.

Put her in front of your founders.

Keynotes, panels, pitch dens and mentorship sessions — for corporates, incubators, universities and women-in-business programmes.

Latest on TikTok & Instagram

Book a consultation.

Brand deals, speaking, mentorship — tell me what you're planning. Every request goes straight to business@melohsa.com and you'll hear back within one working day.