At a previous Civitas Fireside Chat, Jeanne van der Merwe, founder of Elgin Free Range Chickens, reminded us what it really takes to build and lead a business over 25 years – and then walk away from it with pride.

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From leading through isolation to betting on instinct, her story was filled with wisdom for every founder and CEO in the room.

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Here are 5 takeaways that hit home:

1. Being a founder is lonely – Build your circle. Don’t do it alone.
2. Take bold risks – Playing it safe won’t move you forward.
3. Connect deeply with your team – Meet them where they are.
4. Value your suppliers – They're often your strongest partners.
5. Trust your gut – It knows what your head is still working out.

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Jeanne’s honesty, grit and grace left us inspired and a little braver.

Thank you, Jeanne, for sharing your story so generously with the Civitas community.

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#Civitas #FiresideChat #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #FounderJourney #BusinessWisdom #CapeTownFounders

Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1NxUCD9Inz8voURcXMsxkiiepuY8dRw-F?usp=drive_link 

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