Businesswomen makes a change in a man’s world
"If there is one thing I've learnt during my time in Barberton, it is to trust in the Lord and to trust that he has given me the ability to proceed, even during the recession," said Christelle.
BARBERTON – In her book, Winning in a Man’s World, Renee Weisman says, “Men and women do not think alike. It’s genetic, it’s environmental, its inevitable”.
With words like these, most women entering the business sector, might give up before they have even started, but this is definitely not true in the case of Christelle Strauss of Christelle Strauss Development and Management.
During 2003, Christelle, who at the time had a financial practice in Benoni, was approached by one of her clients, Willie Botha, to become a dormant partner in a project to be launched in Barberton. Willie who got the go-ahead from Umjindi Municipality to implement phase one of the Monte Vista project, had all the expertise but lacked the funds. This is why he approached Christelle.
“I was travelling around the country doing royalty audits and I was ready for a new challenge, so I accepted,” she said.
The first problems arose when the project commenced. The moment the municipality became aware of her involvement, they decided to once more put the project out on tender. They tendered successfully and the hard work started in November, but not long after, during February of the following year, Christelle bought Willie’s share and continued on her own.
“It was one of the most difficult periods of my life as a career woman. I was faced with the development of 106 plots, liasing with contractors, the setting up of services like electrical installation, water connections and road infrastructure and a myriad other challenges I had no knowledge of, but the job had to be done.”
Once a week she drove through from Benoni, but it became increasingly difficult to keep an eye on things. During 2005, Christelle approached a client and friend of hers who she regarded as the king of construction, Kobus van den Berg. He agreed to join Strauss Development and Management and it wasn’t long before the one visit per week to Barberton became four. By this time phase two was well underway and once more, the days spent in Barberton weren’t enough.
During this difficult time, Christelle was also diagnosed with cancer and Kobus and herself would spent Monday to Wednesday on the project, drive back to Benoni on a Thursday and she would receive chemo on Friday, repeating the whole process week after week.
“On one of our drives back to Benoni, Kobus asked me why I was working so hard on this project and I remember telling him I would finish what I had started, not only to succeed, but also to prove a valid point. Being an outsider, there were a lot of Barbertonians who weren’t happy with me receiving the tender and I was never one to just give up. He suggested that I get my son involved to take some of the weight off my shoulders,” said Christelle.
“Time management became a huge challenge and I decided to follow his advice.” During 2006 Christelle approached her son, Dewald Strauss and offered him a position in the company. He accepted and together with his wife, Liana and young child, he moved to Barberton in 2007. Christelle followed soon after. During this time her daughter, attorney Marlene Strauss took care of the legal aspect of things.
Today, Christelle Strauss Development and Management is a force to be reckoned with. It is one of the companies which proved time and time again that hard work and dedication can move mountains. Throughout the past 10 years, there were many tears and frustration and times when Christelle thought it might be best to give up, but together with Dewald and Kobus, she pulled through.
“If there is one piece of advice I can give businesswomen, it is to never lose faith in yourself. Do not give up when the first obstacle crosses your path.
“If there is one thing I’ve learnt during my time in Barberton, it is to trust in the Lord and to trust that he has given me the ability to proceed, even during the recession,” said Christelle.
Over the last decade, she also became actively involved in CANSA Barberton and currently heads this organisation.
Despite visiting dirty, dusty sites with contractors, Christelle has not lost any of her femininity.
Her great sense of humour and pleasant personality ensured that she soon became popular with the locals.
She concluded, “I couldn’t have done any of it without many people who contributed in making Christelle Strauss Development and Management the success it is today. I wish to thank Dewald and Kobus and I want to convey a special thanks to all our clients of the past 10 years. To Umjindi Municipality, thank you for giving us the opportunity as well as all the suppliers who have at times been very patient with us.”
