Full Name: Melicia Labuschagne

Position: MD of Liqui Moly South Africa

Main Activity of the Company: Liqui Moly is a lubricant and additive, as well as problem-solving, brand in the automotive, industrial, marine, motorcycle, transport, construction, aviation and cycling industries

Date and Place of Birth: October 27, 1977, Klerksdorp, North West province

Education: Matric

First Job: Clerk at Standard Bank

Career History Prior to Current Position: Volkskas and Standard Bank, 1996 to 1997; car wash and vehicle trade (self-employed), 1997 to 2000; Herbalife distributor (self-employed), 2001 to 2007; Liqui Moly, since 2007

Size of First Pay Packet: R1 700 a month

First Job with Present Group: Business development manager

Value of Assets under Your Control: R100-million

Number of People under Your Leadership: 27

Management Style: Empowering and developing every employee to achieve more; teamwork and constant improvement

Personal Best Achievement: Hitting rock bottom healthwise and financially, and then learning to work on myself to ‘change’ my future

Professional Best Achievement: My Herbalife journey, exposure and lessons; taking Liqui Moly from zero in South Africa to where it is today; launching the Liqui Moly Advantage App; and growing the team

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My partner, Yolandi Mostert

People Who Have Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: Tony Robbins and Jim Rohn

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Ellen DeGeneres – I have so many questions to ask her concerning her success, struggles and caring for others

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Women who succeed in business or have big dreams that they bring to life truly inspire me

Philosophy of Life: How you do anything is how you do everything; success is what you attract by the person you become

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Growing Liqui Moly from an unknown brand in South Africa – the journey has taught me so much

Biggest Ever Disappointment: I was liquidated in 2000 – but it turned out to be the best lesson

Hope for the Future: To be named Businesswoman of the Year

Favourite Reading: I love reading personal development books – for example, The Richest Man In Babylon, by George Samuel Clason; The 5 Second Rule, by Mel Robbins; The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell; Twelve Pillars, by Jim Rohn and Chris Widener; Start With Why, by Simon Sinek; and Tribe of Mentors, Timothy Ferriss

Favourite TV Programme: Something that makes me laugh, such as Big Bang Theory and Friends

Favourite Food/Drink: Juicy piece of sirloin or lamb . . . with a good glass of red wine!

Favourite Music: Dance music mostly, but I love all other genres

Favourite Sport: Cycling

Favourite Website: HowStuffWorks.com

Hobbies: Getting on my mountain bike and heading off to explore the single tracks we are so blessed with in South Africa

Car: Jaguar F-Pace

Pets: Maine Coon Levi – but he passed away and I am not ready for a new pet

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Negative conversations

Favourite Other South African Company: King Price

Favourite Foreign Company: Tesla