From blazing trails in the corporate world to recently becoming the proud owner of Lifestyle Health at Ballito Lifestyle Centre, Caroline Jelliman’s journey to her new life on the North Coast has been an exciting one. The mother of two, avid mountain biker and enthusiastic baker is looking forward to bringing renewed passion and more healthy products – along with a few new modern systems and processes – to the already much-loved health store.

It was the calm, serene environment and overall philosophy of ‘bringing hope and restoring health’ that led to entrepreneur Caroline Jelliman deciding to buy Lifestyle Health at Lifestyle Centre,  Ballito.

Certainly not new to the business world, having owned and run a highly successful corporate businesses in the transport sector, Caroline has seamlessly transitioned into the health and wellness sphere. A move, she says, that speaks directly to her passion for finding solutions that resonate with who people truly are.

A bona fide KZN-girl, 44-year-old Caroline was born in Eshowe and raised on a farm in the Midlands. She moved to Hillcrest three years ago, after spending the previous 12 years in Cape Town.

Now she, her daughter and her husband are excited to soon call the North Coast their home.

Caroline started her career in the transport industry, finding her niche in the technology side of the business, specialising in transport risk and incident management. In 2017, she sold her shares in her business to a corporate commercial transport insurer and took some time off to focus on her children, Jordan (24) and Rebecca (21) and herself. She then moved back to KZN where she met and married Gareth.
Thrilled to have taken ownership of Lifestyle Health, Caroline says she loves the pace and passion involved in running your own business. “I wanted a business in Ballito that I could really imprint on and bring new life to,” she says. We leaned into our faith and trusted that the right doors would open for us, which they did.”

Lifestyle Health specialises in high quality health products and curating solutions and guiding people on their health journey. When she first walked into the store, Caroline says she knew she had found something special. “The previous owner, Judy, has done a wonderful job with this business and brand,” she enthuses. “I would love to grow the brand and build on and improve internal systems and processes to make for a more fulfilled shopping experience, while maintaining the store’s bespoke charm, which exudes serenity and tranquillity.”

Caroline also hopes to have a home delivery system set up in the new year. “My current focus is to keep the store well stocked with items that our customers really need to support and maintain their healthy, hope-filled lives.”

Fully embracing her new role, Caroline loves interacting with customers and says she has been inspired by just how many people in the community are focussing their lives on healthy living for the present as well as the future. “Teaching our children to maintain healthy, balanced lifestyles and enrich their lives with natural alternatives is one of the most important legacies we can pass on. I’ve also learnt that one is never too old to start the journey of health and hope.”

As keen mountain bikers, Caroline and Gareth are excited to explore and adventure on the North Coast. When at home, they love spending time with their two Yorkshire terriers, Poppy and Penny, and Caroline is also an enthusiastic baker. She has a particular interest in creating diabetic-friendly baked goods as her husband is diabetic. “A big part of our goal for 2024 is to significantly boost products geared towards diabetics, as well to source a wide range of naturally healthy but also tasty sugar alternatives to help those on their journey of health and happiness.”

For more information on Lifestyle Health click here!