A busy breakfast

Ballito business bees were buzzing around Gianni’s Ristorante last Wednesday morning at the much loved Women in Business breakfast networking event.

Ilembe Chamber of Commerce membership manager, Claire Phillips was the queen bee at the event and made sure the ladies were welcomed, seated and entertained.

Business cards were shared over croissants and a fruity muesli glass, followed by a heartfelt talk by Hirsch’s public relations and media consultant, Glenda Thompson about taking control of your safety and life.

Thompson proceeded to hand over the Margaret Hirsch Women in Business Award to Sarah Elizabeth, who was thrilled to get this award for her hard work with her perfect fitting lingerie business.

The morning’s speaker was owner and editor of Mum’s Mail, Alice Leah, who shared the dos and don’ts when starting a business.

“You need to start by getting out of your comfort zone, because you cannot let yourself get stuck in a rut,” said Leah, who left her well paying advertising sales job to start Mum’s Mail on her own.

Her tips included finding a cheerleader who will encourage and motivate you and the importance of trusting your instincts. “If a decision does not feel right, walk away from it,” said Leah. She stressed the importance of employing the right people for the job.

“Do your homework, check the CV’s of the people you are interviewing, check their references and make sure you know who you are employing.”

Regarding round pegs in square holes, she recommended trying to reassign tasks so that your employees flourish with tasks that suit their personality and skill set. Leah also punted the importance of networking:

“Always remain visible, go to social events and be part of networking groups, as this will help you promote yourself, which in turn promotes your business.”

With this and more in mind, the busy bees buzzed back to their businesses and look forward to the next Women in Business breakfast.