Taryn Sharman

What does your company do?

Faith and Fear is a pioneering, R20 million turnover, 100% women-owned business that has transformed the traditional communications’ agency model into a sustainable, modular ecosystem, proving that impactful business can thrive without a conventional structure. Founded by two women, Faith and Fear has not only generated R20 million in direct revenue, in the past FY alone, but has created an R80 million network effect, with over 25 female job opportunities directly tied to our ecosystem and a social impact initiative that reaches more than 1,000 women monthly. Our innovative approach isn’t just about business—it’s about building a sustainable future that empowers women, disrupts outdated models, and amplifies collective impact. With a mission centered on enabling South Africans to act boldly in the face of uncertainty, Faith and Fear provides innovative solutions and tailored marketing and advertising strategies that foster growth and resilience. Faith and Fear has strategically partnered with flagship SA businesses over the last 3 years such as: Profmed: SA’s Largest Restricted Medical Scheme | https://www.goodthingsguy.com/business/profmed-benefits-showcase/ Liberty / Standard Bank Group Insurance and Asset Management: SA’s trusted insurer of choice | News24 article “Standard Bank hunts for SA sales as it leverages Liberty's impressive data, 2 000 advisors” Talent10 Holdings: SA’s largest Entertainment and Gaming Studio | https://techcentral.co.za/talent10-idc-gaming-entertainment/243957/ Versofy Solar: Homegrown Solar-as-a-Service Offering | https://www.buildersquarterly.co.za/versofy-solars-journey-from-power-to-empowerment/ The Faith and Fear Effect has resulted in our methodologies supporting the business objectives of the above brands to achieve the following: Profmed: +70,000 members supported and growing annually Liberty: + 5,000 internal employees strategic comms culture curated Talent10: +Billions of rands of capital secured Versofy Solar: +5,000 homes generating sustainable power monthly Our unique approach focuses on merging business prowess, namely; growth-hacking, business strategy and marketing - with the often neglected soft-skills such as self-discovery, leadership, and personal empowerment, helping our suppliers, clients and collaborators unlock their full potential in both business and life. As women in business and mothers ourselves, we quickly realised that there wasn’t a space addressing the unique, holistic needs of women - not only in business or corporate environments but across every facet of life. Women needed a place to have brave conversations about money, wealth, business, and the personal aspects that shape us. Understanding that networth is directly linked to self-worth, we birthed The Brave Collective. The Brave Collective, Faith and Fear’s dedicated women’s empowerment Corporate Social Investment (CSI) arm, is a powerful not-for-profit community built to inspire, support, and uplift South African women. The Brave Collective offers specialised events, networking opportunities, and practical resources designed specifically for women in the workplace and entrepreneurial spaces. By creating a safe and inclusive environment, The Brave Collective allows women to tackle hard topics, build wealth, and invest in what truly matters to them. Together, Faith and Fear and The Brave Collective are united by a shared vision to cultivate an inclusive, vibrant culture that champions the needs of women holistically, responding to the challenges we're experiencing daily and inspires lasting change for generations to come. Faith and Fear, together with The Brave Collective, proudly submits this nomination for the Women of the Future Award. Over the past three years, we have experienced rapid growth and evolution, marked by the development of unique programs, job creation, and a profound commitment to advancing gender equality within our own business practises, industry and beyond. This category is an excellent fit for us, as we are passionate to our core about South African women breaking barriers and glass ceilings, taking on leadership roles, owning their entrepreneurial journeys, and contributing in meaningful ways to a thriving, inclusive economy.

What is your biggest success?

My greatest success has been building a business that proves you can do purpose and profit - together. Over the last decade, Faith and Fear has redefined what it means to be a modern agency in South Africa: ✅ We’ve partnered with bold, values-aligned brands to deliver fearless creative that drives measurable business impact. ✅ We’ve grown a thriving ecosystem of over 25 women-owned suppliers, proving that collaboration - not competition - is the way forward. ✅ We pioneered flexible, hybrid working models long before it was trendy - creating space for working mothers and multi-dimensional women to lead, contribute, and succeed on their terms. ✅ Through The Brave Collective, we’ve extended our impact beyond boardrooms—building a community of over 1,000 women committed to growth in every area of life: from self-worth to net worth. We’ve created a new model for what leadership can look like: Brave. Bold. And uniquely female.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Our biggest hurdle was building something that didn’t yet exist—and convincing others to believe in it before it had a name. When we started Faith and Fear, we weren’t just launching an agency. We were trying to rewrite the rules - to prove that a small, women-led, purpose-driven business could thrive without conforming to traditional agency models. No boardrooms. No rigid 9-to-5. No cookie-cutter solutions. We were told it wouldn’t work. That clients wanted big teams. Big buildings. Big talk. And we were two women, working out of coffee shops, building a new kind of business - one that was lean, remote-first, values-led, and built on trust and relationships. Convincing clients, partners, and even ourselves that this model was not only viable but powerful - that was the mountain. But we climbed it. Step by step, with courage and proof. Today, the world has caught up to the model we’ve always believed in. What once felt like our biggest obstacle has become one of our strongest differentiators. And in hindsight, that’s the magic of building something brave: the very thing that challenges you becomes the reason you rise.