Ilana Steyn

What does your company do?

Company Partners helps South African entrepreneurs register, grow and stay compliant through a wide range of over 120 services – including company registration, tax, tenders, and legal compliance – all online, fast and supported by specialists.

What is your biggest success?

My greatest success has been building Company Partners into a thriving business that empowers entrepreneurs across South Africa. When I took over as Managing Director, we were a team of 12 - today, we’re over 50 strong, offering more than 120 services that help businesses grow with confidence. From compliance and accounting to business coaching and website development, I’ve led our expansion with one goal in mind: to simplify entrepreneurship for others. Since 2006, we’ve helped over 50,000 clients start and grow their businesses, and we continue to offer free training and tailored support to ensure they stay compliant and competitive. Watching our clients succeed – many of them women and first-time business owners – is the most rewarding part of my journey. My success is rooted in service. I believe when you lift others, you rise with them. That’s the legacy I’m building – one entrepreneur at a time.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

My biggest hurdle has been leading and scaling a business through constant change while staying true to my values. As an entrepreneur, wife, and leader, I’ve had to juggle competing demands—especially during periods of economic instability, regulatory shifts, and internal restructuring. Building Company Partners from a small team into a national brand meant navigating uncertainty daily, making tough calls, and learning to lead with both strength and empathy. There were moments of doubt—times when cash flow was tight, when the pressure felt overwhelming, or when growth outpaced structure. But every challenge became an opportunity to grow, refine our systems, and develop a stronger team culture. I learned that resilience isn't about never falling; it's about getting back up with greater clarity. Overcoming these hurdles taught me to trust the process, stay agile, and keep people at the heart of every decision. That mindset continues to shape how I lead.