Angelic Wonders takes flight
HER hobby of making angel serviette rings 20 years ago has turned into an international decor event company. Gail Henstock, founder of Angelic Wonders, left her full-time employment in 1994 because her then hobby of making her famous angels, as well as doing draping and decor for weddings and functions, was taking too much of her time.
"The first weekend after leaving my job, I sold my angels at the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in beer boxes and made R1400 and it motivated and kept me going," she said.
She had a kombi and trailer and initially worked from her Uitenhage home's garage, supplying the draping needs of companies, schools and newly weds in Nelson Mandela Bay for their functions, matric farewells and weddings. Soon the manufacturing of the angels in soft pastel colours out of a range of materials, including plaster of paris, evolved to candle-making and the business grew so much that she moved to premises at Drostdy Park in Uitenhage.
But even these premises became too small for the creative flair and talent of Henstock. She moved the company to Port Elizabeth to its current premises in Kragga Kamma Road seven years ago and business really took off.
"It took some suffering living and working in the same premises but we have been blessed. We moved to Theescombe for privacy reasons and want to expand and grow our premises over the next five years in Kragga Kamma Road," she said.
Angelic Wonders is the preferred company for many corporates in the city and has been involved with events across the world. The company has an in-house production and manufacturing team, including seamstresses and welders.
The company also has an in-house laundry facility and a showroom and employs 28 full-time staff members. In addition, a florist and photographer have offices on the premises at Kragga Kamma Road, while the company also has a warehouse in Deal Party and has branched out into custom-built exhibition stands and exhibition furniture.
Leaving a legacy for her staff, children and grandchildren is close to Henstock's heart. Still a partner in the business, Henstock said: "All my staff are like my children. I cannot take credit for all of the success of the company – it is the staff that go out and do the hard work. I lead and guide them, as they grow."
As a surprise at the company's 20-year celebration bash earlier this year, the staff pulled out all the stops to make it a memorable night. Henstock said she was blown away by the fantastic decor and professionalism of the evening.
"They asked me to speak, but I was so overwhelmed that I was at a loss for words."
Although she calls herself semi-retired, Henstock can still be seen behind the scenes involved with the designing, sewing and whatever she can lay her hands on.
Her daughter, Judith, joined the company in 2000 and her husband, Paul Reed, is also involved with the business along with their children and Henstock's grandchildren, Sheldon and Dyllan de Klerk. Henstock's other daughter, Olga, and her husband, Frans du Toit, are also involved with the company while their children are still in training, as Henstock jokes. Her stepson, Daryl, also works for the company.
Angelic Wonders is also associated with two other companies, R&F Imports and Exports, and Isimanga Hiring Services. - Cindy Preller
