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Star Workplace - Nice Work If You Can Get It |
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The Star
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Wednesday, 26 October 2005 |
  What is your company about and what does your job entail?
My husband and I put together a website called www.harmoniousliving.co.za to bring all aspects of holistic living to regular people. This includes demystifying alternative therapies as well as creating environmental and community awareness.
Because we are a small company I am involved with all aspects of the business. One of my core responsibilities is in the website development which includes adding new features and improving the site.
What are you trying to achieve?
We want to educate our readers and demystify holistic practices, in doing so we will get more people to embrace a holistic lifestyle and, we hope live a happier life.
What does a typical working day entail?
We usually start with a quick meeting to discuss our main focus for the day and what we want to get done. This usually includes some content planning (what we want on the website for the coming weeks and what our readers are looking for) and what features can be added to make people come back regularly.
I then spend the day making programming additions or changes to the site, researching various topics for content and making contact with potential partners, contributors and advertisers.
What would you call a really good day?
I’m lucky enough to work at home, so the best days are the ones when I get to work the entire day outdoors in my garden. Getting enthusiastic feedback from our readers is also great and when those emails arrive in my inbox it really makes my day.
What is your greatest challenge?
It took a lot of courage for me to set up my own business and to leave a financially rewarding and secure career in IT, but looking back it was the best move that I’ve ever made. Now my day-to-day challenge is to change peoples' misconceptions around holistic lifestyles and getting holistic lifestyle practitioners to understand that our aim is to reach the vast untapped mainstream market - we want our success to be reflected in their success too.
What has contributed to your success?
Doing something I’m passionate about has made all the difference. I’m really enthusiastic about starting work each day and constantly coming across new ways to improve Harmonious Living.
I also believe that the best way to promote anything is to educate people about it.
What is your background?
I have spent the last 10 years working for various corporates in the IT field as a computer programmer. Working in IT meant that I got to work with all the departments in the company; finance, sales, marketing and even HR.
This has been a huge help in giving me a good understanding of all the facets of running a successful business.
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