Toot Your Own Horn

It’s Never Too Late To Celebrate Your Success. And No, It Doesn’t Mean You’re Bragging, Writes Tidi Benbenisti

- Tidi Benbenisti

During a much-needed night out with two BFFs – all of us childhood friends – an unopened bottle of wine served as a conversation starter. Rini, who was visiting from Miami (where she’s a triple-threat beauty therapist, culinary genius, mother and wife), said, ‘Let’s get something more celebratory. With bubbles. Maybe even pink!’ She showed her choice to the waiter.

‘Great! But what are we toasting?’ I asked.

We hadn’t had a catch-up as a trio in more than a year (Miami-to-Joburg isn’t exactly possible by Uber).

‘Well...’ she whispered, looking nervous. ‘I completed a design course earlier this year, and started my own little business. I’ve been pitching concepts to boutiques in Miami, and I just got the news that I’ve been commissioned to design a collection for another friend’s boutique. So I thought, hey, I’m with my besties, let’s celebrate!’ She looked down, her cheeks going from a hint of blush to ’20s rouge.

‘What!?’ I shrieked.

‘Shh,’ she said, her index finger to her lips. ‘It’s no big deal.’

‘But it is,’ I said. To think that my friend had achieved this and I didn’t know about it was crazy enough – but to think that it wasn’t an elaborate feather in her already embellished cap was absurd. ‘This is massive! Not everyone gets to do that, to follow their passion. And those who are thinking about it and are afraid to pursue it should hear about it so they know that it is possible. I am so proud of you! You are officially an en-tre-pre-neur!’ I said.