Hey! I'm Sarah.
I’m the proud Founder and CEO of Lead With Love, mama to two amazing girls (and our fur baby, Nala!), a children's book author, and a former obstetric nurse.
After moving from the United States to South Africa in 2014, I found myself asking a simple question: What if the love we have for our pets could help transform women's lives, too?
That question ultimately became Lead With Love.
Lead With Love was born from two passions that have long shaped my life: empowering women and helping create a more just and hopeful world. I believe in the core of my being that love is the most hopeful force for change in the world, and that includes the love we have for our pets.
Knowing that every Lead With Love purchase helps create meaningful work and opportunity for South African women is the fuel that keeps me going.
I'm incredibly proud of our team. Watching these women learn new skills, grow in confidence, and become masters of their craft has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I'm so excited about what we're building together and deeply hopeful about the impact we can continue to create.
Meet The Team
All of the women on our team reside in Tembisa, the second largest township in the province of Gauteng. Tembisa was established in 1957 when Black South Africans living in Johannesburg were forcefully evicted and relocated during apartheid. The legacy of apartheid in South Africa has been extreme poverty and inequality, both of which continue to plague the country. Tembisa is rife with poverty and overcrowding, gender-based violence, and has limited access to essential utilities services, quality education, and healthcare.
Progress
Progress is a single mom of two and a natural leader within the team. She has a strong personality, a great sense of humour, and is often the one looking out for everyone around her.
After losing both her husband and her previous source of income, Progress found herself navigating a difficult season while raising her children on her own. She says working at Lead With Love has helped her support her family, become more independent, and find a sense of belonging and purpose.
When asked what working at Lead With Love has meant to her, she said, "Lead With Love is more than just a source of income to me - it is a blessing to be part of it. Being here is not just work, but therapy too."
Nothemba
Nothemba is the mother of Vuyolwethu, and along with being mama to her seven children, she is Gogo to 12 grandchildren. Nothemba has brought so much fun and laughter to the mix. When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Nothemba, she said, "Lead With Love welcomed me with love and smiles and has taught me new skills that I am so thankful for!"
Mahlogonolo
Thelma
Thelma is a mom to a young son and one of the fastest makers on our team. Gentle, kind, and hardworking, she approaches every product with care and attention to detail.
Before joining Lead With Love, Thelma had never had a steady job or reliable source of income. She says working at Lead With Love has changed her life, helped her support her family, and given her hope for the future.
When asked what working at Lead With Love has meant to her, she said, "Working with Lead With Love means a lot to me and has helped me so much in my life. I really hope that it is successful and grows bigger!"
Pamela
Pamela is a mom to two daughters and a son and is known for her kind heart and wonderful sense of humour. She also shares a yard with Progress, who invited her to join the Lead With Love team when the business was ready to grow.
Pamela loves being part of the team and says working at Lead With Love has helped her support her family, grow in confidence, and discover a greater sense of purpose.
When asked what working at Lead With Love has meant to her, she said, "It means so much to me and has helped me feel like I have become someone."
Vuyolwethu
Vuyo is a mom of three boys with a bubbly personality and a laugh that's impossible not to join in on. She's also Thembi's daughter, making them the first mother-daughter pair on our team. She loves spending time with her family and is always eager to learn something new.
Her favourite product to make is our Hands-Free Lead, and she says working at Lead With Love has helped her develop new skills, grow in confidence, and better support her family.
When asked what working at Lead With Love has meant to her, she said, "Working with Lead With Love means a lot to me. It has enhanced my knowledge and my skills. It has also made a huge impact on me as a person and in my life, because now I am a better person. I am so happy to be part of such a great team!"