Part of what makes ever-popular food supplier, La Marina Foods, in Johannesburg, so appealing is the superior range of products that it has on offer. The other half of the success story is the people behind it. For sisters, Kirsten Jooste and Ilona Dresselhaus, their love for food and people has gone back decades, when they used to work in a restaurant together.

"We complement each other because we work to our strengths; we just click, explains Ilona, who runs the office, while Kirsten is on the road, working on sales and marketing. "Although we focus on different areas, we're both involved in all areas of the business," she says. Adds Kirsten: "We have different personalities; we're the best of friends and we have the utmost trust in each other."

One of the biggest challenges in this business is the potential shortages and lack of availability that comes with such high-end (and sometimes rare) products. But undeterred, the women showed some of their best profits during the recession – a testament to their commitment and business savvy.
In 2008, La Marina Foods had to move because it had grown out of its existing space. "The move from our humble factory to the 'monster' we have now in Modderfontein is by far our biggest achievement," says. Kirsten. Just three years later, it seems another move might be necessary soon for the same reason.

The biggest difference with an owner-run is establishment is the personal service that comes with it – something that Kirsten and Ilona really pride themselves on. They are not afraid of hard work either, normally getting up before 5am and working six days a week. Concludes Kirsten: "If we believe in something, we put all our passion behind it – and La Marina is one example of that."