Marelyn Gardner

What does your company do?

What I Do – Sanlam Women of the Year EntryI am the founder of I Am Perfect #BeYourOwnBrand started in 2018 but registered on the 8th of December 2021, and the visionary behind the I AM SHE Gala Evening—a sacred annual event created to celebrate women who continue to rise, rebuild, and reign, even when no one is watching.This movement was born from my own story of survival. After escaping an abusive marriage, I came to realize that I am not a victim—I am a survivor. I Am Perfect was birthed from that place of pain, and became my personal reminder that healing is possible, and strength is often found in the broken pieces we rebuild.The I AM SHE event is more than a glamorous evening—it's a healing space for women to reconnect with their worth, to feel seen, and to know they’re not alone. It’s a call to all women to fix each other’s crowns without judgement—to create a sisterhood where support is a way of life.In addition to creating platforms of empowerment, I’ve also used my 28 years of recruitment experience to tackle unemployment in a personal way. I revamp CVs to help individuals—not just to list their history, but to tell their story. Too often, candidates are overlooked because their CVs don’t reflect the greatness within them. I’ve seen thousands of resumes in my career, and I know that a CV should not just tick boxes—it should sell the person behind it.Through this work, I aim to bridge the gap between unemployment and potential, between survival and success. My mission is simple: to make sure no woman or job seeker ever feels invisible again.Because I believe: She Rises. She Rebuilds. She Reigns. And that woman is me. That woman is you. That woman is I AM SHE.

What is your biggest success?

I survived an abusive marriage, overcame heartbreak, and instead of letting it break you, I gave birth to two powerful movements: "I AM SHE" Gala Evening – an annual celebration of resilience, rebirth, and reign, where women are seen, celebrated, and honoured. I have created a sacred space where women feel like queens again—where they’re reminded of their worth, voice, and power. This year will be the 2nd Annual Gala Evening CV Revamping & Employment Empowerment – with over 28 years of recruitment experience, I used my knowledge to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity. I don’t just edit CVs—I rewrite stories and help people believe in their value again so they can break the cycle of unemployment.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

My biggest hurdle hasn’t been starting from scratch—it’s been building trust in a world where many women have forgotten how to believe in themselves. As someone who rose from personal trauma and heartbreak, I understand what it means to feel unseen, unheard, and uncertain about your worth. That’s why I created spaces like I AM SHE—to be a reminder to every woman that her story matters, her voice matters, she matters. But it hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to work hard to earn trust, to show women that healing is possible, and that rising again is not only doable—it’s their divine right. Another major challenge has been advertising my business and reaching the right audience. I know the value I bring. I know the lives I’ve helped shift. But I also know how difficult it is to stand out in a saturated space—especially when you’re building something from passion, not profit. I don’t just want people to support my business—I want them to believe in the vision. And sometimes, getting people to see your heart takes time. But I’ve learned that consistency, authenticity, and love break barriers. And I will keep showing up, because every woman I reach is one step closer to healing, confidence, and opportunity.