Sandy de Wet, Founder, Spacelabs

Change doesn’t always knock, it waits to be claimed. When life calls for more than routine, a different kind of leader rises—one who doesn’t just adapt but reimagines the system altogether. For them, business is about solving real problems, creating space for what truly matters, and rewriting the rules with conviction and care. Sandy de Wet is one such founder. Through Spacelabs, she didn’t just launch a business—she built a movement rooted in trust, transformation, and operational clarity.

Sandy didn’t step into entrepreneurship chasing a title—she stepped in chasing time. At 27, with a newborn in one arm and uncertainty in the other, the corporate ladder suddenly lost its shine. Her company had just been acquired, and looming restructures made one thing clear: it was time to bet on herself. “If I could sell solutions, I could build them too,” she recalls.

In 1998, she launched Spacelabs—not from a ready-made playbook, but from a growing gap in South Africa’s corporate environment. Offices were drowning in paperwork, weighed down by rigid processes and outdated systems. She envisioned something better: a company that could support businesses through secure document management, compliant office transitions, and smart storage solutions—without the chaos. What began as a need to work on her own terms evolved into a mission to reshape how businesses handle security, efficiency, and trust.

And at the centre of it all was empowerment. “Success isn’t only about scaling—it’s about uplifting,” Sandy states. That belief still anchors the company. It’s why Spacelabs operates with clear purpose and client centricity.

Where Culture Becomes Catalyst

Real change doesn’t come from policies, it begins in how people treat one another when no one’s watching. For Sandy de Wet, that truth has shaped every layer of Spacelabs since day one. Based in South Africa—a nation defined by both its past inequities and its potential—she knew that transformation couldn’t be performative. It had to be lived. “People thrive when they’re trusted, not just managed,” she shares. That belief is now embedded in the company’s culture, where empowerment is a daily practice.

At Spacelabs, younger team members learn by doing, guided by those who’ve navigated challenges and led through change. Mentorship is intentional, growth is organic, and promotions come from within. Crucially, women are nurtured into leadership roles often dominated by men—not to tick a diversity box, but because they’ve earned their seat at the table. In South Africa, where only 21.6% of executive roles are held by women and the business services sector remains male-heavy, this shift is significant. “Growth happens when people feel seen,” Sandy shares. In her world, visibility is beyond spotlighting individuals, it’s about building systems that recognize effort, talent, and potential.

That same philosophy extends outward. Spacelabs chooses to work with clients who share its values—long-term thinkers who understand that culture drives outcomes. For Sandy, culture is present in every meeting, every decision, and every collaboration.

Leading with the Human Edge

Sandy de Wet leads Spacelabs with a grounded, intentional approach that emphasizes clarity, collaboration, and purpose. “I lead from within, not above. People don’t just follow directions—they follow connections,” she states. Her leadership is marked by hard work, setting clear expectations, and ensuring her team has the support to meet them. This human-first style fosters trust and turns pressure into potential.

What began as a document storage company has become a full-scale solutions partner. Spacelabs offers tailored office and industrial relocations, furniture installations, intercity transport, warehousing and mobile on-site shredding services. The shredding service plays a vital role in their sustainability mission, helping clients securely dispose of paper and reduce landfill waste.

Spacelabs’ core philosophy is to be a solutions partner, not just a service provider. Agility, responsiveness, and a client-first mindset are central to their success. Sandy emphasizes, “We never say no to a request. Our goal is always to innovate and provide customized solutions.” This commitment to trust, operational excellence, and sustainability makes Spacelabs stand out. Women in Motion encapsulates their essence, driven by Sandy’s passion for building lasting relationships, empowering people, and crafting solutions that transform businesses.

From Lessons to Legacy

Running Spacelabs—a business specialising in office and industrial relocations, furniture installations, transport logistics, and sustainable document disposal—is as rewarding as it is demanding. For Sandy de Wet, maintaining balance hasn’t been about perfection, but about intention. “Balance is always shifting, especially when you care deeply about the work you do,” shares Sandy. Over the years, she’s recognised the importance of protecting her energy to lead effectively. Long walks, hiking trips, and moments of stillness with loved ones have become essential rituals. Small anchors that help her stay grounded amid the chaos of entrepreneurship.

Perhaps the most powerful source of resilience has been staying connected to her “why.” Spacelabs was never just a business venture; it was born from a desire to offer agile, people-centred solutions in a sector that often feels transactional. That purpose shapes both her journey and the company’s long-term vision. Looking ahead, Sandy is focused on embracing automation and digital transformation—not to replace the human touch, but to amplify it. She wants Spacelabs to grow as a business with soul: one that drives innovation, creates meaningful careers, uplifts communities, and contributes to environmental well-being. “Success means nothing if it doesn’t ripple outward and make life better for others,” asserts Sandy. 

Turning Setbacks into Opportunities

One of the most defining lessons in the early years of Spacelabs came from expanding too quickly. Taking on a large-scale project without fully vetting the operational implications stretched resources thin and brought with it the personal toll and risk of financial strain. It was a stark reminder of how important it is to balance operational capacity with sales and to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket, especially in a project-based, service-led industry that remains vulnerable to economic shifts. That experience shaped a more intentional approach to diversification and sustainability, with a stronger focus on building annuity income alongside high-impact projects. 

Reflecting on the entrepreneurial journey, Sandy offers this: “Start where you are, with what you have. Keep going even when it’s scary. And surround yourself with people who get it, because business can be lonely, but it doesn’t have to be.” Her voice continues to inspire a new generation of women entrepreneurs, proving that clarity, community, and resilience are powerful tools for navigating uncertainty and building businesses that truly matter.