360 degrees - My story

I often say that my career has taken me 360 degrees. I'm back to where I started in a sense, but the journey has brought me to a much higher level of self-development, inner peace and job satisfaction, despite all the challenges encountered along the way.

Some context first. I have a lot to be grateful for.

"What are your goals?"

My mom was a talented salesperson. Having married into the surname House, she proceeded to sell houses as a successful estate agent! She was also a storyteller and writer, larger than life. I get my creative, strategic side from her. Dad was a scientist, goal-driven and passionate about quality processes. I recall many occasions of sitting at the dining room table after dinner and being asked by my father: What are your goals? He gave me my analytical brain.

So, when I chose to study as a teacher, they were a little disappointed (no Bachelor of Science for me!) but they supported me. They sacrificed a lot for me and my sister to get a good tertiary education.

A key shaper - Not getting that first teaching job!

Four years later, I ended up in the manufacturing industry when the teaching posts nearby weren't available. In those days, you were allocated a position in a government school, and choices were slim as an inexperienced new teacher in Home Economics. With my food and clothing qualifications, I joined SA Clothing Industries (SACI), a large clothing company in Durban. SACI was a part of the Seardel Group, the largest textile and clothing company in South Africa at the time. My first job was a sales co-ordinator in ladies fashion, working with retailers, designers and production staff to ensure orders were produced and delivered on time. Those years were a great foundation for my career.

Personal trauma of an early divorce made me throw myself into my job. I worked my way up into a management position and started management studies. That led to an MBA and a big career move to Johannesburg corporate life, consulting in business and marketing strategy.

A new city, a new job, a new life

During the corporate years in Johannesburg and Pretoria, I learnt from some of the best - Valuable models and principles I am still using today in my consulting business. I was also fortunate to work across many different industry sectors - Construction, food, electronics, retail, media, wine, capital equipment, non-profit, infrastructure - A broad experience which would be of huge value later on. Then I went on to investment marketing and leadership positions with some stressful career and personal challenges, which motivated me to make some big changes, moving me further along that 360-degree pathway.

It's important to mention that at that point, I'd been playing a volunteer role for many years in the leadership of Toastmasters Southern Africa, the largest non-profit public speaking organisation in the world. Toastmasters taught me valuable skills that I have applied in my professional and personal life. But the added leadership pressure did not help my stress levels at the time.

Back to my roots

Just as my parents' health was failing, I hit burnout and decided to return to my home province of KZN. I took a management job to get settled, moved my horse and bought a house. I reconnected with old friends and found a wonderful church community, so my spiritual life was renewed.

I decided to give teaching a try - That was my original professional qualification. The contrast between the boardroom and the classroom hit me hard! But I flourished in the environment of non-profit schooling. A seed was planted, and I decided to grow this area. I'm forever grateful to the heads of schools who offered me that step.

School marketing roles followed, and the opportunity to publish a book with ISASA, the Independent School Marketing Association of Southern Africa. After 5 years of school marketing, I was receiving enquiries to consult independently. My business was registered as a South African company, focused on marketing strategy for independent schools, locally and internationally.

An unlikely entrepreneur, but loving it

Education has continued to be my area of expertise and joy. I moved my business online in 2019 and started consulting on the Zoom platform in my 60-minute Marketing Strategy Power Hour, which then led to a 5-day online coaching course in marketing strategy for independent schools. When COVID-19 hit in March 2020, I was able to ramp up an existing online operation and take on the online training workshops for ISASA in school marketing which we had previously done in-person around the country. Thankfully, the business has survived and flourished.

Becoming the go-to person in marketing strategy for independent schools is now far more realistic for me as a professional goal. My website has a range of wonderful client testimonials. My book remains a fantastic resource, distributed via the ISASA website. But I'm always reminded of where I started and who helped me along the way - All the mentors that guided me and inspired me, my family and friends who supported me when the obstacles seemed unsurmountable.

Houseway Consulting (Pty) Ltd is named in honour of my late parents, Wendy and Dudley House, as it's their legacy that inspires me daily. What I do today certainly wouldn't have happened without their contribution!

360 degrees later and with a much better outlook on life!