Chris Weylandt, 52, and his daughter Anna, 24, form part of
the Cape Town-based Weylandts Home Outfitters team. While
Chris, who owns the business, has been involved for years,
Anna has recently joined the team as a furniture buyer.
Edgar Weylandt (Chris’s father and Anna’s grandfather)
originally worked at a hardware store. In 1964 he decided
to open a furniture business specialising in contemporary
pieces imported from Europe, and in 1999 the first Weylandts
Homestore was created.
‘Weylandts is known for combining clean minimalism and
raw, earthy spirit,’ says Chris. ‘We source, procure, create, and
curate the rare and beautiful, handcrafted seasonal ranges in our
stores, making each collection unique. While the values of our
family business haven’t changed, the business itself has certainly
evolved since its inception.’
Chris says that capital, or lack thereof, was the biggest
challenge their fast-growing family business faced. ‘Finding the
right staff while building the team that would grow the business
was a challenge too,’ he adds. Anna, on the other hand, believes
the challenge is to stay on top of global design trends in an
industry that’s always growing and changing.
Bonding
through
business
MEET THE FAMILIES BEHIND FOUR
GREAT SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESSESWe love exploring the creative
process together; the business isso entrenched in our lives that it
makes for a very harmonious fit
‘Retail is a challenging and fast-paced arena, and our
customers’ expectations increase just as quickly. Working closely
with my family is a great advantage as we focus on building
a business for the future rather than short-term strategies to
maximise our profits,’ says Chris.
‘Working alongside my father is truly amazing,’ Anna adds.
‘Not only am I able to pick his brain and learn from him, but we
really love exploring the creative process together. We feed off
38 yourfamily.co.za
each other’s energy and style, cultivating similar tastes and
a shared appreciation of things. The business is so entrenched
in our lives that it makes for a very harmonious fit.’
Chris and Anna agree that good communication, dedication,
passion, and innovation are the most important factors when
it comes to ensuring the growth and success of their family
business. ‘Even though the business has always been part of
my life, I know I still have a lot to learn, and I’m excited to learn
as much as possible from the talented and experienced team
I’ve joined,’ says Anna.
‘As happy as I am that Anna’s part of our team and
contributing to our family business, I’ve always made sure that
she and my other children understand that our business needs to
be seen as an independent entity seeking to grow and remain
a strong brand,’ says Chris. ‘Being a family member doesn’t mean
automatic inclusion in the business; if my children show a genuine
interest in working on their abilities and adding value to the
business, that’s what counts.’Anna and Chris in front of a photograph
of Edgar Weylandt38 yourfamily.co.za