Page 81 - KZN Top Business Woman 2025 - eBook

Lea Wimble

Owner and Founder of Wimble Attorneys The Gifted Project has already changed lives in Transitioning from academia to business was also
tangible ways. The first recipient was a domestic influenced by her husband. “He was always the business
worker who now rents out the home she received, guru,” she explained. “When he got an opportunity in
ea Wimble is the owner and founder of Wimble
L Attorneys, a conveyancing firm based on the effectively doubling her income. The second project Durban, we moved, and that opened the door for me.
benefitted a single mother with a child with special What started as supporting his dream became me
north coast of KwaZulu-Natal. The firm, which
celebrates its sixth anniversary in 2025 has built needs. “We’re creating a space where she can live in discovering my own purpose.”
a reputation for professionalism, compassion and one part and rent out another to supplement her CHALLENGES AND GROWTH
community impact. income,” Lea said.
Lea acknowledges that growing a business has
Reflecting on her journey, Lea explained that entre- Lea described the experience as deeply moving. “It’s very challenges. “When you do good work, your business
preneurship was never part of her initial plan. However, fulfilling and very humbling.” She added, “There’s such grows which is wonderful, but it also means you have
she said life had other ideas. “By circumstances, the power in storytelling, just to sit with someone, listen to to grow too,” she said. “At first, I did everything –
same year I had my third baby, I also found myself in a their story and understand what life is like in their shoes. director, tea girl, typist, cleaner. My clients loved that
position where I had to start a business. It was quite a It’s such a blessing to be part of their journey.” personal touch. When the firm grew and I hired staff,
scary time. I always talk about it as the year I had two Lea is careful to ensure that the home becomes I had to assure clients that the same quality of service
babies, a real-life baby and a business baby, and the an asset. “We never want the gift to be a burden to would continue. I also had to evolve from being a
business baby was the one who kept me up at night.”
someone,” she emphasised. “We help and guide the conveyancer to being a business owner and manager
Once she embraced the change, Lea recognised that recipients so it becomes something that helps them of people.”
this challenge was also an opportunity. “I thought, step up in life.” Lea encourages young women entering the legal
there must be a reason why I was chosen to have this
business. What good can come from it?” INSPIRED BY FAMILY AND VALUES profession or starting their own ventures to be authentic.
“Be true to yourself,” she advised. “People have an idea of
Lea attributes much of her drive and compassion
THE BIRTH OF THE GIFTED PROJECT how a lawyer should look or act. I’ve been told, ‘You’re so
to her mother, who was Kimberley’s first female gentle – how can you be a lawyer?’. But I’ve learned that
From that reflection, the Gifted Project was born. “We pharmacist business owner in the 1970s. “My mum
my gentleness is my strength.”
asked ourselves, ‘What makes us different from any owned Kimberley Pharmacy,” Lea shared. “She was
other conveyancing law firm?’,” Lea explained. “I always a trailblazer. Later, she became a volunteer for the She added, “If you’re going to do something for the rest
say to my staff, if our business were to shut its doors Cancer Association of South Africa and raised over a of your life, you have to love it. You have to wake up
tomorrow, would the community actually miss us?” million rand for cancer patients.” excited to do it.”

The firm decided that for every property transfer This spirit of service left a lasting impression. “What was LOOKING AHEAD
completed, a percentage of the fee would go into modelled to us as children was to work hard, believe
a Gifted Fund. These funds are used to purchase and in what you do, and always ask, what can I do to make Lea’s vision for the future is centred on growth and impact.
donate homes to families in need. “Our big goal is to gift someone else’s life better?” “I’d love to see the Gifted Project grow into a fully-fledged
one home a year,” Lea said proudly. “Just a month ago, non-profit organisation that donates homes and creates
we registered and transferred our second home into Before starting her legal practice, Lea taught law at the employment opportunities. My husband jokes that I’m a
someone’s name. We’re doing some renovations, and University of the Free State and holds three law degrees: professional gift buyer who funds it by running a law firm
soon her family will move in with their own title deed.” a Bachelor of Commerce in Law, a Bachelor of Laws and – and he’s not wrong.”
a Master’s in Law.
At the heart of Wimble Attorneys lies a simple yet Outside of work, Lea finds balance through running and
profound motto: How can we help? Lea explained, Her move into conveyancing came later. “After years reading. “My midlife crisis was long-distance running,”
“We start by asking how we can help our clients. of lecturing, I decided to complete my conveyancing she laughed. “I run most days and read a lot. I have three
We ask our employees what they need to do a exam and return to practice. That’s been the last ten children and we’re a very close family. My happiest days are
good job, to live a fulfilled life and then, how can we years of my life.” She said, “I love being in a specialised the ordinary ones, spent with my husband and kids. That’s
help our community.” field where I can give clients solid advice.” what I love most.”

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