NAME Vasti Mcleod 

AKA Other Half of Charl Mcleod 

TIMES AROUND THE SUN 38 

KIDDIES 2 

FROM South Africa 

LIVE Durban 

ALL ABOUT BEING Curious, Adventurous, Creative, Focused & Passionate 

JILL OF WHAT TRADE/S Fashion – License & Collab Merchandise Manager at Mr Price

CURRENTLY CRUSHING ON Local South African fashion, new skincare and make up brands

SUPPORTIVE WIFEY OR INDEPENDENT WOMAN Independent woman but supportive wife at the same time. I love this passage from Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet:

“Love one another, but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea between
the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread but eat
not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous,
but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.

Give your hearts, but not into each
other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress grow
not in each other’s shadow.” 

GIVE US THE LOW DOWN Working full time and getting ready to host our 4th Never new fashion fair, where we create a space for ladies to sell their clothes and shop from each other. There is so much opportunity in the secondhand market, and I find it very exciting! 

BUSINESS GOALS I want to be successful in my job and know that I am utilizing all my skills and natural talents while learning every day. 

BUSINESS HIGHS Being part of a team that started a very exciting new division at Mr Price in South Africa.

BUSINESS CHALLENGES I think, like most moms – I want to have a successful career but also give my boys the love and time they need. I want them to be proud of me. But in order to do that- we have to find a balance between work and life. Work needs to be sufficiently flexible to allow women to do more. 

IDEA – DREAM – REALITY Long term dream is to have a wedding venue in France. But that is still years away. For now, we are loving our life in Durban, being close to friends and family again.   

FILL US IN ON SMASHING ALL THEM GOALS Have very clear goals and dream big. And when you have decisions to make, you choose the one that will bring you closer to those goals. 

WHAT’S YA SECRET/S You have to say no sometimes, ask for help when you need and leave time to enjoy alone time as a family. 

WHY IS BELONGING TO A COMMUNITY IMPORTANT AS AN ENTREPRENEUR This is what I missed when we lived in France, not having the community and connections. Back in Durban and especially with Charl’s new business and my fashion fairs, you realise how important that network is. As ladies, we have to support, motivate and encourage each other. 

YOUR INSPIRATION Travelling, fashion and nature – I think very clearly when I am near the ocean or in the bush. 

RUGBY LIFE MISCONCEPTION We had kids after rugby, so it was all lots of fun and very easy. I know it’s different when you have kids and have to manage on your own a lot. 

RUGBY HIGHS When Charl played for the Springboks 

RUGBY LOWS Last year in Paris was hard for Charl- but luckily, he got to finish his career in Lyon with some great friends. 

PROUDEST RUGBY FAN GAL MOMENT When Charl did his first TV interview in French (after living there for only a couple of months) so cute!!! 

LIFE AFTER RUGBY While we were in France, I took the time to do my MBA, and I worked at Chloé while living in Paris (Charl used to joke and say I am his retirement plan😀), but Charl and I were both very fortunate with the opportunities we got when we came to SA after rugby.

He started an exciting coffee business with his best friend (3 Lads and a Toucan), and I got a buying manager position at Mr Price. Don’t be fooled-life is hectic with two parents working full time when you are used to the slower French life. 

WHERE TO NOW The next five years will be all about growing Charl’s business, raising two small boys, working hard at my career and having fun along the way! Let’s see where that will take us😀 

PEARLS OF WISDOM To the girls still living the rugby life— enjoy it, keep it uncomplicated, explore but have a succession plan.

• If you have a desire, speak up
• If you have something on your heart- act on it now (missing a friend, phone her and make a date)
• Have an idea, work to make it a reality

It’s up to you!

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU

Instagram: vastimcleod

Instagram: Never new fashion fair