Taryn Hunter Sharman’s journey into the world of business is one of grit, resilience, and an unshakable belief in both faith and fear. From selling homemade trinkets at nine to leading multi-million-dollar businesses and founding Faith & Fear Consultancy, Sharman has carved a unique path that has reshaped the African business and advertising landscape.
Her journey, rooted in profound loss and relentless ambition, illuminates the stark realities of building a legacy in a landscape often unforgiving.
A Life Shaped by Early Lessons
“I was seven years old when my world changed forever. My father passed away, leaving my mother—a widow at just 28—to raise my four-year-old sister and me on her own,” Taryn recounts. The tragedy of losing a parent at such a tender age forced her to mature quickly, instilling in her a deep sense of self-reliance.
“Life doesn’t hand you anything; if you want something, you have to work for it,” she says.
By nine, she was already in business—selling homemade gifts and knick-knacks to friends and family. What began as a childhood hustle soon evolved into a lifelong entrepreneurial spirit. “There was a deep sense of pride in it—knowing that I could create something of value and exchange it for something tangible. It wasn’t just about the money; it was about freedom,” she recalls.
Taryn’s competitive nature, honed through sports and personal development, became the foundation of her drive. “ I wasn’t just competing against others—I was competing against myself. My personal best was always the benchmark, and I pushed myself relentlessly to surpass it.” This relentless pursuit of excellence set the stage for what was to come.
Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry
At 17, she entered the workforce, but the constraints of a conventional 9-to-5 lifestyle were immediately apparent. “It didn’t take long to realize that a paycheck wasn’t going to build the life I envisioned,” she says. While juggling university, she pioneered a new avenue—organizing corporate golf events.
“It was unheard of for a young woman at the time,” she notes. Yet, she quickly established a reputation for excellence, proving that determination and strategy outweighed industry norms.
This ethos, coupled with an innate entrepreneurial drive, propelled her from schoolyard commerce to the high-stakes world of corporate events and presentations, where she earned the moniker “PowerPoint Queen.”
Her entrepreneurial instincts extended beyond event planning. The PowerPoint Queen, crafted corporate presentations so compelling that a single deck could earn her six months’ worth of rent. These early successes foreshadowed the influential role she would later play in the corporate world.
The Apprentice South Africa: A Defining Moment
Taryn’s turning point came when she took a leap of faith and entered The Apprentice South Africa. “I entered on a whim in my early twenties and, to my surprise, made it to the top three.” The show served as a crash course in high-stakes decision-making, resilience, and strategic thinking. “ That experience was a whirlwind, It changed the course of my career,” she admits.
Post-Apprentice, she was headhunted into the advertising world—an industry she had never planned on joining. “That was 20 years ago. Since then, my journey has been anything but conventional. It’s been a series of risks, reinventions, and relentless pursuit of something greater,” Taryn notes.
Scaling Ebony + Ivory: A Multi-Million Dollar Success
When Taryn took the helm as Managing Director of Ebony + Ivory, a second-generation family-run agency, she faced a dual challenge: upholding its legacy while navigating a male-dominated industry. She delivered spectacular results.
“Not long after I started, we won a major corporate client, skyrocketing the business from a $20 million to a $70 million turnover almost overnight,” she proudly reveals.
The agency’s rapid expansion doubled its workforce from 20 to 40 employees, forcing Taryn to master the complexities of scaling a business. “It was a baptism by fire. Leadership wasn’t just about strategy; it was about managing people, expectations, and the ever-moving pieces of a fast-scaling agency.”
Taryn’s leadership during this period was defined by grueling 18-hour days, seven days a week, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
During this period of intense growth, she learned invaluable lessons. “One of the biggest lessons I had to learn was stepping back from execution to focus on direction. In the chaos of growth, it’s easy to get caught up in doing rather than leading,” she says. Leadership, she discovered, required perspective.
She emphasizes the critical distinction between “working in the business and working on the business,” a realization that necessitated a shift from tactical involvement to strategic oversight. “True leadership means knowing when to roll up your sleeves and when to step back to focus on growth, strategy, and sustainability,” she asserts.
Taryn’s approach to leadership is grounded in adaptability and humanity. “Leadership isn’t one-size-fits-all; different people require different approaches, and great teams thrive when their leaders understand that.” Moreover, she stresses the importance of energy management. “Time is infinite—but energy is not. In my early days, I believed that success came from working harder, longer, and pushing until burnout. But real, sustainable leadership is about working smarter, not just harder.”
Faith & Fear: A New Chapter in Entrepreneurship
After 12 years at Ebony + Ivory, Taryn felt a pull towards something more personal. “I had built businesses for others, helped grow teams, and navigated the highs and lows of leadership—but now, I wanted to create something on my own terms.” This vision led to the birth of Faith & Fear Consultancy.
“I named it Faith & Fear because I knew it would take both. Faith in the universe, in my experience, in my abilities. And at the same time, a healthy dose of fear. Not the kind that paralyzes you—but the kind that sharpens you,” she notes.
Faith & Fear is a global growth marketing agency that specializes in data-driven, innovative strategies to help businesses expand rapidly. They offer customized solutions built on four key pillars: strategic planning, growth hacking, comprehensive digital services, and creative content. With 18 years of experience, they focus on calculated risks and emerging technologies to deliver accelerated and sustainable growth in a competitive digital landscape.
The agency’s success, underscored by the 2025 Standard Bank Top Women in Business Award in the SMME category, is a testament to its “honest, no-nonsense approach” and “obsession with quality.” Partnering with Perri King, Taryn built Faith & Fear into a powerhouse with quality, and the ability to deliver results at unmatched speed.
The Brave Collective: Empowering Women in Business
Beyond consultancy, Taryn identified another gap—the lack of spaces for women to have real, unfiltered conversations. “Women were often grouped into categories: women entrepreneurs, women in corporate, and mothers. But the reality is, we don’t exist in silos,” she boldly asserts. Thus, The Brave Collective was born—a community for women navigating the complexities of life and leadership.
“We are all of these things, sometimes all at once. And yet, there wasn’t one place that truly understood women for everything they are—simply as women.” This initiative, coupled with her speaking engagements, underscores her commitment to empowering women to “step into their full potential.”
Through her work as an inspirational speaker, she has helped countless women find their voice. “I believe in the resilience of the human spirit. I believe that every woman has the ability to rise beyond her fears and step into a life of purpose, passion, and authenticity.”
The Future of Business in Africa
Looking ahead, Taryn sees the African business landscape transforming in three key ways:
- A Rise in Homegrown Creativity & Storytelling – African brands are shifting towards authentic, locally inspired narratives, presenting immense opportunities for agencies that understand these nuances.
- The Acceleration of Digital Transformation – AI, data-driven marketing, and immersive digital experiences are reshaping industries. “Brands that fail to adapt will become obsolete.”
- The Growth of Women in Leadership & Entrepreneurship – While more women are stepping into leadership roles, systemic barriers remain. “The future belongs to those who create spaces where female leaders can thrive.”
She sees her role as a catalyst for this change, driving innovation and empowering the next generation of female leaders. “In Africa, we don’t have the luxury of waiting until we’re ready. We move forward despite uncertainty. We innovate, build, and lead with fear as a constant companion.”
A Legacy in the Making
Through Faith & Fear and The Brave Collective, Taryn is not just shaping businesses—she is shaping leaders. “I want to drive innovation, push creative boundaries, and build brands that don’t just sell—but impact.”
As she looks to the future, she hints at an upcoming project: “Maybe it’s time to put these lessons into a book. 2025 is still young… there just might be something in the works.”
If history is any indicator, whatever Taryn Hunter Sharman builds next will be nothing short of extraordinary.
