COSMETIC EMPIRE: Businessman Mike Naidoo in his newly launched store in Durban Picture: ROGAN WARD

How has your place of birth shaped you as a person?

We grew up very poor and it was trying times due to apartheid. It taught me to appreciate all things in life and to strive to help people who are in need.

Were you able to study after school?

No, I did not have the means to further my studies. I left school in standard seven.

When you were younger, what did you dream of becoming?

I just wanted to work hard and support my mother and siblings and to educate them.

What was your first job?

I was a van boy delivering bread to bakers, earning two pounds six and six (R4.65).

What motivated you to get into the health and beauty business?

I was involved in the industry in the early 1980s in the Eastern Cape. I was stranded after the company I worked for was liqui- dated. But I did not take this lying down. I had the experience and there was a niche in the market I had been working in, so I took the plunge.

What would you say has been the hardest part of your job to date?

My job has been tough as the banks would not lend me money because I was not white. Even friends who were reasonably well off shunned me. I started with virtually nothing and slaved away, not touching the small profit until I made some headway.

What inspires you to persevere?

The business I run and seeing it grow like it is today and how it continues to grow. It is like planting a flower seed in the ground and watching it grow.

Do you have an inspirational quote that resonates within you?

Live the present and the future as the past is beyond recovery.

Who are your role models?

My spiritual role models are Swami Sathya Sai Baba, Swami Sivananda and my business role model is Sam Walton from Wal-mart.

The cosmetics industry is often seen by many as a female domain, something men should not really be interested in. What is your message to people who believe that?

All men want the women in their lives to look beautiful, smell good, have beautiful hair, etc. So it stands to reason they be knowledgeable in this field and current trends point to more and more male grooming products being available in the market. As much as we believe that women want to feel and look nice, men also want the same.

What other goals do you feel you have yet to accomplish?

My autobiography which will be released next year by famous playwright and author Ronnie Govender.

What are some of your pet hates?

Racism. I also cannot stand filthy people because water is available freely.

What are three things people would be surprised to know about you?

I care about uplifting people, especially the poor, I am very tough in business and I want to be a caring father, not only to my children but to everyone in my company.

What do you do to unwind?

Listen to great Carnatic music and when the mood takes me, sing my favourite Carnatic songs.

What food can you just not say no to?

Sheep head, tripe and trotters curry.