Women making waves in the world of business: part 2

While the huge range of achievements made by South African women should be celebrated every month, August is National Women's Month, and Jawitz Properties is making the most of the occasion by shining a spotlight on some of our remarkable women and all that they have achieved. Michele Gravett and Cheryl Petzer are the owners of the Jawitz East London franchise, and they bring passion, professionalism and pride to the property industry. They took the time to answer a few questions about what makes them tick, what Women's Month means to them and the advice they would give to another woman getting started in the business world.

Meet Michele and Cheryl

Michele was introduced to the world of real estate by a close friend, and she quickly found that she loved the team spirit, the negotiations and the valuations. That was 28 years ago, and the rest is history. Her work is fuelled by her passion for the industry, and her secret to balancing all her responsibilities is sharing the load with Cheryl. "Having a trusted partnership is worth more than all the gold in the world," she told us.

For Cheryl, real estate was a natural career choice because it brings together her love for people and her love for beautiful spaces. She describes herself as a person who's "all in or all out", and when it comes to real estate, she's definitely all in. She sees her responsibilities as both a challenge and a work in motion.

The meaning of Women's Month

In Michele's words, celebrating women is about raising awareness of the impact that they have in society. Her big vision for women is to be able to ensure that all women receive an education and are offered employment opportunities. "This would not only empower women to financially support their families but also give them the dignity that they deserve," she explains. "The ultimate goal is to eliminate gender-based violence in South Africa."

"There are so many bold, brilliant, beautiful women in South Africa, and we deserve to be celebrated and cherished," adds Cheryl. "As a woman working in real estate, I want to celebrate the fact that I am a specialist in my industry. I want to be a shining example to my daughter, and, one day, to her daughter." Cheryl also feels strongly that South African women need to be free to be themselves. "We need freedom from the belief that acceptance and beauty has a specific look," she says. "Real beauty is about being REAL and being true to oneself."

Starting your own business? Here's Cheryl and Michele's best advice

With opening and running a successful business thoroughly ticked off their to-do list, Cheryl and Michele have some pearls of wisdom to offer women starting any business venture. "My advice would be to lead well and choose people well," says Cheryl. "Find people who will check in on one another and inspire each other."

In Michele's view, making sure that you have the right business partner and the right people around you means everything. "Being able to share the highs and lows with a trusted friend makes this journey a lot more fun," she explains. "Luck and hard work both have something to do with success, but it's the relationships that you cultivate along the way that help you to regroup."

Considering investing in property? Here's some advice from the professionals

With the interest rate being as low as it is at the moment, Michele suggests that every woman who is in a position to purchase property does so. "Consider a property that has the potential to earn you an income," she advises, "as your first property will never be your only property." To this, Cheryl adds that information is power. "Seek knowledge, do your homework and know your options when it comes to the real estate industry," she urges. "The process can be overwhelming, so you need to work with a real estate agent you can trust."

Cheryl and Michele have been making waves in the property industry for many years. If you're looking to buy or sell property in East London, give them a call. If you're interested in investing in a Jawitz Properties franchise, contact our Franchise Manager, Eon Du Toit.