ALUMNI IN THE INDUSTRY
The Aleit Academy has a philosophy of excellence embedded in everything we do, and our graduates’ success rates are a testimony to this. About 95% of our students always receive job offers from their internship placements. From these graduates there are several alumni that successfully started their own businesses within the industry.
The addition of an Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management course in their third year of studies is specifically aimed at developing our students’ budding business talent. The course introduces students to basic entrepreneurship concepts like idealisation, opportunity recognition, market research and analysis. We equip our students with these skills to ensure they make a success of any new ventures.
ALUMNI BUSINESS OWNERS
SUCCESS STORIES
LEANDRI HERREWYN (2019)
Coming up with concepts may be exciting, but I need to remind myself every day that “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. Often, I find something fabulous, where others might think… “what on earth, she’s CRAZY!?”
I am the Head Creative at a|CREATE. I love being able to bring visions to life, creating something out of nothing and working with my team to achieve the un-achievable.
I would never say no to a charcuterie board! I love pets and the outdoors, and I’m a professional yapper.
Believe and trust in yourself, You can do it!
In my third year of studying at the The Aleit Academy I craved more of the creative industry, which lead me to doing my final Internship with a|CREATE. Jumping with two feet into the deep end I took every challenge as an opportunity. Almost three years have passed, so I guess I can say the rest is history! Perhaps something to discuss while enjoying a charcuterie board.
KIRSTY COOK (2018)
If it’s meant to be, it will be. This quote can be frustrating at times, but everything happens for a reason.
As the Lead Project Manager, I currently manage a team of 3 project managers. I absolutely love the team dynamic among us and I am grateful for every lesson learnt so far.
Hard work is part of my DNA, and I have my mom to thank for that. When I’m not working, I’m making life memories with my best friend and fiancé and our fur-child, Chase. My friends are incredible people that I hold close to my heart, and I am so grateful for every one of them.
Always put your best foot forward!
Growing up and going to school in Durban, led me to study at Varsity College where Jess Smith (now also an Aleit Academy Alumni) told me about The Aleit Academy in Cape Town. I rushed home and informed my mom that I had finally found an Event Management Academy. Fast forward to the next year, I started at the Aleit Academy where I spent the next 3 years growing within the event space and personally.
Today, I am extremely proud to work for Aleit Events in Johannesburg and I am excited to see what the future holds for me.
MISHA PEENS (2019)
Misha Peens – Owner and founder of ALON.
I love being able to explore my creativity while helping clients’ dream days become a reality. I love spending time with my family and friends and if it is not being social, I fill my day with exploring new places, enjoying good food and wine, and taking time to also be outdoors to make sure to take time for myself.
Never stop planning and working hard to make your dream your reality. Stepping out of your comfort zone and stretching yourself to keep on learning from your colleagues, partners, and mentors. Always be grateful for where you started and never take anything for granted.
I love meeting new people and seeing new places. I love this industry and the community of people I can call friends.
Spending time with friends and family, enjoying time on the farm, and traveling our beautiful country.
MONIQUE GOUWS (2019)
You don’t have to be wrong to repent, and to just be kind!
I own my own Wedding and Event floristry business called Tilted Tulip. I love working for myself, but when I am not working on my own weddings I lend a helping hand as a freelancer to other florists.
Hello, my name is Monique. I grew up in the Helderberg Basin, about a 40min drive from Cape Town with two older brothers, chickens, and dogs. My love for flowers started at an early age, wondering around in my grandmother’s garden between the iceberg roses and sticking my nose in every rose to absorb the scent. I remember always having a rose in my hand on the way home, with the stem carefully wrapped in damp kitchen towel so that the thorns will not hurt me.
At the end of April 2023 I married the man of my dreams and naturally we are extremely excited to start our life together. I am mom to a black miniature dachshund and hope to have my own chickens someday.
The key to success is trusting the Lord for provision. Secondly good relationships, integrity and honesty.
After I finished school, I went to study a three-year Event Management course at The Aleit Academy. While completing my practical hours in my second year, I interned at a wedding and event florist. This is where my passion for flowers truly exploded! I enjoyed it so much that I joined them again in my third year.
After my graduation in November 2019, I went to America to work in a country club in Florida as a waitress. After the first week I felt the urge to work with flowers again. I spoke about flowers so much that I got the nickname ‘Blommetjie.’
The head of the food and beverage department heard I had experience with flowers and even asked my assistance in doing some table arrangements for themed nights. I was there for six months but my adventure was cut short due to Covid-19 and I returned home on a repatriation flight.
As soon as weddings and other celebrations were allowed, I started freelancing for other florists and gained so much more experience. In September 2021 I did my very first wedding under my own name and that is when I started Tilted Tulip. I have grown so much these past two years and can’t imagine myself working for someone else again.
NICOLE DREYER (2018)
Whatever you do, do it 100% you and add your touch to it.
I am currently the Owner and Venue Manager at The Venue at Pearl Mountain with my husband. I am the Founder of Getting Weddy, a bridal accessory online shop that also assists with styling and custom creations. I am also a VIP bridesmaid at All Things Wedding, a decor and furniture hiring company assisting our clients with concepts, styling and planning.
I am a bubbly, spontaneous people person that loves working in the creative industry and love to create and build relationships with clients. I love to meet and assist new people and help them to the best of my ability to understand their concepts, vision and bring it to life, while having fun along the way!
Always give your 100%. Be yourself and represent and reflect all that is you and your brand in your work. Never get comfortable.
After various and broad internships during my time at the Aleit Academy I can honestly say I have tried it all. I worked a bit in all areas of the hospitality, events and fashion industry and experienced what it has to offer. It gave, shaped and taught me a lot about myself and what I am capable of in the roles I take on today. I am juggling a few things at once, but honestly can’t choose between them and being involved in all of them keeps my creativity flowing!
TESSA TALMAGE & JENNY NICHOLLS (2019)
Tessa Talmage & Jenny Nicholls – Directors of Nearest and Dearest Events
Since meeting at The Aleit Academy, we hit it off and have been close friends ever since. We have the same passion for working hard and making sure we go the extra mile for each client. This has enabled us to have a successful events company with a fantastic work ethic.
The Aleit Academy was a huge stepping stone for us to start our own company. The long hours of practical experience working at events (that seem endless when experiencing it firsthand), as well as our internship placements were a very necessary factor in shaping our knowledge and understanding of the events world. The early mornings setting up for an event and late hours of service are not for the fainthearted, but you will very quickly decide whether pursuing a career in events is the right fit for you.
We met while studying event management together at The Aleit Academy. We are two like-minded professionals who are passionate about the cultivation of unity and unique experiences. With different strengths and interests, we work well together.
We have worked in diverse fields of event management including; sports events, destination management, weddings as well as corporate events and conferences.
Whether you would like us to turn your event dreams into a reality, plan a collaboration or get to know us better over a cup of coffee, get in touch, we would love to meet you!
DANÉ VERWEY (2018)
I am a Floral Artist (yes, there is a difference between a floral artist & a florist – haha) & owner of Dané Verwey Floral.
I specialize in creating unique floral pieces for weddings / events / permanent installations and basically anything floral related.
We like to create flower pieces that are not necessarily following mainstream trends.
Work HARD. Do not expect everything to be handed to you on a silver platter, success doesn’t happen overnight.. Accept the fact that as a creative, you will be questioned a lot, believe in what you create.
I absolutely love creating art with flowers. I love incorporating elements with flowers that you won’t usually use. My absolute favorite part is playing around with different colours & textures.
Things in life that bring me absolute joy is definitely the colour pink, a nice glass of G&T on a Friday afternoon & definitely seeing the face of a happy client!
DANÉ SMIT (2018)
Dané Smit – Owner & Founder, Coordinator & Stylist at Veil Events
I am a small-town girl that dreamed of becoming a wedding planner. I started my business after experience gained from the Aleit Academy and various internship opportunities. My passion is décor styling and planning. I love bringing the vision of a couple’s wedding day to life!
It is probably one of the most difficult things you will ever do, but also the most rewarding ! Have a vision of what you want your brand to represent, work hard, put in the extra hours, be determined, and walk the extra mile because you will reap what you sow.
I love working with my couples and building a relationship with them. In the end our calling is to influence people that our paths cross with. What makes me tick is bringing together a beautiful concept and an enjoyable experience by making their wedding day special .
My husband makes me happy, my beautiful dog, they are my best friends. How blessed I am for what I have .
