About Us
Born on March the 4th, 1979 at 7 months premature I came into this world, the first few months I was more in hospital that at home, but being the fighter that I am, I made it! As a 6-year-old I started working at Dordrecht’s Co-Op where I labeled cans of food under the supervision of my Uncle Gawie and also pack shelves for free at Uncle Jerry’s shop.
After that, life took a few unexpected turns for us, first Mafikeng and then finally Bellville. At 15 years old, I started working in the kitchen at White Night Palace Weddings on weekends, when there were no weddings, I sold watermelons next to the road at Jip de Jager in Bellville. Once a week after school my dad and myself drove to St. Helena Bay to buy snoek (up to 800 sometimes) to sell next to the road when watermelons were out of season. I mastered the art of flecking a snoek at a very young age.
After matric, I studied Food Service Management at Cape Technikon Hotel School where I gained an incredible practical knowledge in the Hotel and Tourism Industry. I did my practical at Radisson Hotel, Clanwilliam Hotel and Oude Welgemoed Restaurant under the guidance of the well-known chef, inspirational speaker and extreme adventurer – David Grier.
In 2001 I started working for the International Company – Compass Group, as an Assistant Catering Manager on Stellenbosch University Campus at several residences. I was quickly promoted to Catering Manager and was send to more difficult units to put systems in place and to turn the units around to make more profit. In 2014, after visiting England for a few months, I became involved with the Décor Rental business owned by my future husband and future mother-in-law. From a small business of only 10 staff members, we grew to be a highly successful business in the wedding industry until 2021.
During 2017, my husband (Anton) and I decided to make a 5-year plan and asked our Abba Father to make the change in His plan, but we will take full responsibility. During that period, the business became too big for me, and I (wife, mother of 4, daughter and business woman), started dropping balls. By the end of 2019 I reached out for professional help, out of desperation – because I needed help – I paid staff members to attend expensive courses and hired consultants (at a very high price), to help, but still I could not cope and felt utterly alone.
Nothing helped, BECAUSE nothing was done practically, nobody implemented the plans and new strategies. And then came Covid… Our industry came to a complete standstill, and after Abba Father showed us, we decided to close out 33-year-old business. And it wasn’t easy! One day in Struisbaai I heard Abba Father telling me to help other small businesses that might go through the same ordeal we did. And I am so grateful for all the uplifting in my life!
We at AVZ Projects are here to listen, to give advice and to promise you we will assist you in getting the best from your company and staff at a reasonable cost, and you can be more relaxed.
We are here to help you.
From the AVZ Projects Team
Rhodene Van Zyl