Keri Rudolph, The IV Bar
When Keri started The IV Bar, she had little idea of the impact this IV therapy would have on bringing holistic health and wellness to people across the country, not to mention providing more jobs for our hardworking nurses. The IV Bar now has more than 30 branches. The title of Woman of the Future 2023 is a fitting tribute to all she has achieved.
Though Keri admits that at the time she didn’t think she would win (“I was up against some very impressive women”), the award has been a wonderful acknowledgment of all the hard work she and her team have poured into the business. “There were many times when I wanted to give up, mistakenly believing that I wasn’t the right person to run the company or that the idea wouldn’t work,” she says. “But I listened to my gut and didn’t give up; this award just sealed it for me.”
It’s been a whirlwind of a year for Keri. The IV Bar continues to expand, and with it her self-confidence as an entrepreneur and leader. “I’ve since been asked to speak at various entrepreneurship events, I appeared on the Expresso breakfast show, and I’ve been interviewed on various webinars.” These opportunities have also given her the confidence to approach investors to help her grow The IV Bar and embark on global expansion. Next on her to-do list is the strategy boot camp course at the Gordon Institute of Business Science, one of her prizes.
Maintaining connections with other nominees and winners has been important to Keri. “I’m very proud of all the other winners and what they’re doing in their businesses and lives,” she says. These relationships have not only been a source of mutual support but have also led to potential collaborations. For instance, meeting with previous winners like Dr Dulcy Rakumakoe, CEO of Quadcare and 2020 winner of the Woman of the Future Award (and now one of the judges), has opened new doors for collaboration.
If you’re thinking of entering this year’s WOTF Awards but don’t believe you have what it takes, have faith in yourself, Keri says: “You have just as much of a chance as anyone else. Back yourself and stay focused; keep your eye on the prize. Forget about what everyone else is doing and just focus on doing what you do best.”
To find out more about Keri’s company, visit: https://www.theivbar.co.za/