Few people's journeys to success have been as interesting as Kirsty's. She worked as a model and actress while studying, first at Unisa and then at Wits Business School, where she completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Management.

In 2016, Kirsty was named by Fast Company as one of the top 20 South Africans under 30. She was also recognised by Destiny Magazine in their Power of 40 report, and in 2018 was nominated as one of the finalists in the Santam FairLady Women of the Future Awards.