As CEO of the Tintswalo Collection, Lisa Goosen has played a central role in growing the family-owned hospitality brand from one safari lodge into a portfolio of luxury properties across South Africa.
What began with Tintswalo Safari Lodge in the Manyeleti Reserve in 2002 has grown into a collection that includes Tintswalo Atlantic, Tintswalo Boulders, Tintswalo Waterberg, Tintswalo Scops Rest and Tintswalo Summer House.
Goosen's route into hospitality began in her family's property development business, where she worked across reception, finance, operations and community upliftment before building Tintswalo alongside her husband, Warwick.
Today, she remains hands-on in the business, with a particular focus on the people, experiences and attention to detail that define the Tintswalo brand.
Q: You started as a receptionist in your family’s property development business and eventually became CEO of the Tintswalo Collection. What were the biggest turning points in that journey?
I was always on the same path, facing the correct way on the journey towards this end goal and the future before me.
I feel like working under my mother was a massive contributor to building business knowledge, as she always taught with a “baptism by fire” attitude, throwing me in the deep end, knowing I had no option but to thrive.
This made me strong and self-reliant. Then I would say that becoming a mother drives anyone to become more and create more, to ensure that the legacy you are leaving is wide enough and strong enough to ensure they have stability. Family is everything to me.
Growing a hospitality brand
Q: What inspired you and your husband to move into hospitality and launch Tintswalo Safari Lodge in 2002?
Naively, we thought it would be a side business where we could meet interesting people, spend time in the sunshine and perhaps build assets in the bushveld. Well, that was indeed not the case!
This industry is not a sideline. It is the main event, akin to a dragon rider: you have to hold on, be one with the beast, or else it will throw you off and devour you or burn you to cinders! But if you can master it and overcome the challenges, it is truly spectacular.
Q: Tintswalo has grown from one lodge into a collection of luxury properties. What has been the biggest challenge and the achievement you are most proud of?
When we started, we didn’t fully understand the scale of marketing properties on a global platform or realise that standing alone was not an option. Building a collection was the only way to be globally recognised, and so we slowly started to look for opportunities where incredible places could be created for Tintswalo properties.
I think Tintswalo Atlantic is one of our most remarkable achievements as a boutique lodge within a World Heritage Site, inside a National Park - Table Mountain National Park.
It was developed with great care for the land, its environment, and its heritage, respecting its significance while still allowing for the necessary infrastructure. Throughout the process, we ensured that the natural landscape, the national park, and its core values remained protected.
Leading with confidence and purpose
Q: As a woman leading a family-owned business, what has your journey taught you about leadership, resilience, and making difficult decisions?
Resilience is a word that gets thrown around a lot. What does it really mean? Is it about just persevering, or is it about flourishing despite challenges? In my world, leadership is about good delegation and developing leadership in others.
I think the best part about being in a position of leadership is being able to see it in others and being able to encourage others to step up. A woman never needs to be forceful in her style or leadership. She just needs to be confident in her knowledge and sphere of influence. She holds the future of generations within her very being as she is the mother of men and women.
Leading the next generation, building a legacy
Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to build their own businesses or pursue leadership roles in hospitality?
In hospitality, it’s accepted that one doesn’t truly need formal training. While formal training is always an advantage, it is not always the be-all and end-all of this industry.
I have seen that those who have the willingness to start at the bottom, work their way up, learn every aspect, and master it have all been able to become formidable individuals in this industry.
They are valued and needed. Keep working hard and never be afraid to take on the next challenge. We need fearless people in this industry.
Q: When you look at the Tintswalo Collection today, what legacy do you hope you are building, not only for the business, but for the next generation of women in hospitality?
The business I am building is a legacy that I’d like my family to be proud of. One that we can all look back at and know we have all contributed to and hold dear. I hope I am building something that gives others a platform from which to grow.
My wish for the women within our group is to continue supporting one another, so that we feel confident and capable of reaching for greater opportunities, knowing that we have earned and deserve every success we achieve.
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