LaTasha & Mark Blanton
South Africa for Business & Pleasure
Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/CEO
Copa: Where are you both from?
LaTasha: I'm from a small town called Rustburg Virginia. The closest city is Lynchburg, Virginia.
Mark: I am from Fayetteville, North Carolina
Copa: What schools have you attended?
LaTasha: Rustburg High School
High Point University
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
LaTasha: Rustburg High School
High Point University
The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences
Mark: Pine Forest High School;NC A&T various college while in the military; military leadership school; Federal Law Enforcement Training Center;Secret Service Training.
Copa: Have you always had a desire to travel the world for a great business and adventure?
LaTasha: Yes and I wasn’t sure how I would or if I would actually travel. I traveled some growing up and went out of the country as a teenager but most of my travels have taken place since being married.
LaTasha: Yes and I wasn’t sure how I would or if I would actually travel. I traveled some growing up and went out of the country as a teenager but most of my travels have taken place since being married.
Mark: I have always had desire to see the world and have always been adventurous. The military and my job on the Vice Presidents Detail and part of Secret Service Uniformed Division opened up my eyes even further as my travel increased with my duties and assignments. It seem liked the further I went the more I was interested in the places I visited so I always looked up the history of a certain location so I could enjoy them more.
Copa: Please share with our readers the importance of travel where it pertains to business.
LaTasha: Well, I feel like we maxed out our opportunities in America. We were dealt some very undeserved hands during our time as well as lots of good ones, and it all started to take a toll on our quality of life and we were only happy in South Africa. So it only made sense as business owners to think of our skills beyond our degrees and job titles and see how we could be business owners someplace else. All entrepreneurs should be thinking of expanding their business to other countries.
LaTasha: Well, I feel like we maxed out our opportunities in America. We were dealt some very undeserved hands during our time as well as lots of good ones, and it all started to take a toll on our quality of life and we were only happy in South Africa. So it only made sense as business owners to think of our skills beyond our degrees and job titles and see how we could be business owners someplace else. All entrepreneurs should be thinking of expanding their business to other countries.
Mark: Travel is purely an education even if its travel within the borders of the country or especially when traveling international. As a entrepreneur you can see how your skill set can impact another culture or population. You can bring something to the table or take something from the table and through entrepreneurship you can employ them properly. Travel actually opens your eyes and lets you see what’s is actually possible. In some cases Africans look to African Americans for leadership however Africans are accomplished themselves it makes a great partnership.
Copa: What was your fist business in America?
LaTasha: Physical Therapy - we started with a home health contract in 2008 then expanded into brick and mortar a couple years later in 2010 then recently sold it to pursue our current dream of living in South Africa and promotion of travel here.
LaTasha: Physical Therapy - we started with a home health contract in 2008 then expanded into brick and mortar a couple years later in 2010 then recently sold it to pursue our current dream of living in South Africa and promotion of travel here.
Mark: Our first legitimate business was our physical therapy company. Performance Physical Therapy of Stafford. In 2012 we opened a new location in Stafford and became the leading location for Physical Therapy in our area.
Copa: Was there a special desire to start your first business in South Africa?
LaTasha: I would say, desire and necessity brought about our first business here in South Africa. Story: I am a lover of Barbie- specifically the Black one. Our first long term trip to South Africa was to Cape Town. I immediately thought of all the cool Barbies I SHOULD be able to find on the continent. I was disappointed. We found out after 2 months of searching and asking that Mattel DID NOT SHIP THE BLACK BARBIE TO THE CONTINENT! Not the Country ... THE CONTINENT. And thus in very short form Dreamhouse Toys was born. The first toy store on the Continent and this country that SPECIALIZED IN THE SELLING OF BLACK BARBIE. I totally give ALL credit to Mark. If it wasn’t for him making the flights and taking the calls in the middle of the night and convincing the distributor to ship them it would not have happened.
LaTasha: I would say, desire and necessity brought about our first business here in South Africa. Story: I am a lover of Barbie- specifically the Black one. Our first long term trip to South Africa was to Cape Town. I immediately thought of all the cool Barbies I SHOULD be able to find on the continent. I was disappointed. We found out after 2 months of searching and asking that Mattel DID NOT SHIP THE BLACK BARBIE TO THE CONTINENT! Not the Country ... THE CONTINENT. And thus in very short form Dreamhouse Toys was born. The first toy store on the Continent and this country that SPECIALIZED IN THE SELLING OF BLACK BARBIE. I totally give ALL credit to Mark. If it wasn’t for him making the flights and taking the calls in the middle of the night and convincing the distributor to ship them it would not have happened.
Mark: We did have the desire to start a business simply because the environment is right for that. This is the wild Wild West and a new market and a emerging market as well positioned very well on the African continent. So playing in this arena is great and starting our first business here was almost a necessity.
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Copa: At what time did you establish other businesses in the country of South Africa?
LaTasha: The idea came in 2013 it came to fruition in 2015. The story is quite intense. I will let Mark give you the better version.
LaTasha: The idea came in 2013 it came to fruition in 2015. The story is quite intense. I will let Mark give you the better version.
Mark: After visiting South Africa we realized that there are many goods and services that we enjoy in the United States that are missing here and that is truly because of Apartheid. Apartheid is no longer the rule of law so as African Americans we opened up a retail store in 2015 Dreamhouse Toys.
Copa: Are Americans missing great opportunities in the region and give us a few examples.
LaTasha: Yes, the continent as a whole, not just south africa has industries that need assistance with continuing development. It’s not always about being in the places where the poor people are. If you don’t have industry to send them to beyond their current station.
LaTasha: Yes, the continent as a whole, not just south africa has industries that need assistance with continuing development. It’s not always about being in the places where the poor people are. If you don’t have industry to send them to beyond their current station.
Mark: Americans are missing out because like I stated before this is the 'Wild Wild West' when it comes to business and commerce. I was told and I found out to be true but an African American coming here with some means will fall within the top 7% of the population. South Africans are looking for foreigners to come and start businesses here in this country to help with the unemployment issues and others in the country. Plenty of educated and skilled workers exist here. The government has business development centers in every little town in the metropolitan areas to stimulate this process. South Africa is hot right now.
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Copa: Should more travelers seek more business opportunities in their travels?
LaTasha: I am not one to tell folks what to do so I would only suggest if you’re a person who is into creating means for yourself or an entrepreneur and not just traveling for the sake of checking off a box, travel with your opportunity eyes open.
LaTasha: I am not one to tell folks what to do so I would only suggest if you’re a person who is into creating means for yourself or an entrepreneur and not just traveling for the sake of checking off a box, travel with your opportunity eyes open.
Mark: I think to get the bang for you buck when you travel you should think about forming a relationship with the country and that starts with you as a traveler. Once that is established you will take seriously the business opportunities here. You may want to do a start up or collaborate with the locals but it helps if you understand where you are and the traditional customs and courtesies. In short keep your Americanness at customs you can pick that up when you leave. South Africans think highly of Americans even if you do not. Travel will help you in this process as they say trust the process.
Copa: What does the future hold for LaTasha and Mark Blanton and their international business ventures?
LaTasha: I am estatic about this new adventure. Being on the continent gives us more opportunities to grow and consider businesses we may not have been exposed to otherwise. We hope to expand travel to South Africa and to showcase our journey as a example of what anyone can do if they want to. We want to be a niche brand in the black travel movement - the luxury side of South Africa. The Dream you desire may be on another continent, ours was.
LaTasha: I am estatic about this new adventure. Being on the continent gives us more opportunities to grow and consider businesses we may not have been exposed to otherwise. We hope to expand travel to South Africa and to showcase our journey as a example of what anyone can do if they want to. We want to be a niche brand in the black travel movement - the luxury side of South Africa. The Dream you desire may be on another continent, ours was.
Mark: We are truly only interested in travel in Africa. We have joined a few organizations that promote travel and tourism on the continent. South Africa Tourism’s mission is to bring more tourist to South Africa for various reasons. We plan to support that mission and bring all types of travelers to the continent those that are a little afraid to visit. We know the future is bright because we travel this country and it is so amazing and has to much to offer. Entertainment, recreation, scenery and food to mention a little its all here. We know it feels nice to be part of the majority versus the minority the uphill battle just seems to be a lot less if any at all. So we will have success in our travel business
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For more information about LaTasha & Mark Blanton
and the Real South Africa:
www.therealsouthafrica.com/about-us/
~Copa