Page 9 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

If there’s a problem, there is always a solution.

Managing Eventtiming demands significant effort and ongoing challenge. “You just have to expose yourself
Owner and Director,
meticulous planning. “I handle the day-to-day running, to new things,” she advises. “The internet is amazing —
Design Origin and Eventtiming
organising, and planning,” she says. “We need to co- you can find any answer you need.”
ordinate race numbers months in advance, making
ichelle Bradfield is a seasoned entrepreneur sure everything runs smoothly on race day. Sometimes, Her work in graphic design often involves collaborating
with two thriving businesses under her belt. we’re up at 2:30 in the morning, and if it’s an ultra- with other designers. “Sometimes, I receive artwork
M“I started Design Origin, a computer graphic marathon, we can be on-site for up to eight hours.” and don’t quite know what the designer has done,” she
design business, back in 1999,” she explains. “I’ve been explains. “But I unravel it, go back to the basics, and
on my own from the beginning, and it’s been quite a The work is physically and mentally exhausting, but deliver a print-ready product.”
journey.” Her other business, Eventtiming, began in Michelle finds it rewarding. “It’s a lot more than just
Find the Solution
2009, where she serves as a director. “We handle online taking a time over the line. There’s so much involved and
entries, registration, and race timing. It’s a busy, hands- dealing with the public every weekend is challenging. For young women following her, Michelle offers
on venture that keeps me occupied seven days a week.” Not everyone understands how the timing system works, straightforward advice: “Stick to your guns. Being QBE
so you find yourself explaining things over and over.”
Growing up on the Bluff in Durban, Michelle attended has never held me back. Today, if you have a problem,
Grosvenor Girls’ High School, completing her She encourages others to experience the organisational you can go online and find the solution. Don’t let
matriculation in 1982. “I like to say I’m QBE — Qualified side of races. “I think every runner should get involved in anything stand in your way. There’s so much you can
by Experience,” she shares. “I don’t have a formal organising a race at some point,” she suggests. “It’s eye- achieve if you apply your mind.”
education, but I don’t believe you need one if you’re opening to see just how much work goes into it.” Michelle’s life is busy, with her work schedule often
determined and willing to persevere. A degree isn’t the stretching to seven days a week. “I do computer graphics
be-all and end-all.” Her entry into graphic design came Michelle’s approach to life is firmly grounded in during the day and event timing in the evenings. It’s
by chance, as she recalls: “I was working in the office of a practicality. “I’m not one for fairy-tale dreams,” she intensive, but I’ve always believed in the value of hard
company called Proforms, handling business forms and admits. “I’m very practical and realistic. I believe I can work.” She added that she doesn’t have a lot of spare
stationery. When I first started, it was all darkrooms and achieve just about anything, but my goals are grounded time, but when she does, it’s usually spent packing race
typesetting, but then I saw someone using a computer in reality.” Her journey into graphic design is a testament pins and numbers.
to do graphic design. I thought, ‘I could do this’.” to this mindset. “It’s funny,” she reflects, “as a child, I
wanted to be the editor of a magazine. I never expected Michelle’s goals are simple yet significant. “I’m getting on
Her boss, familiar with her work ethic, took a leap of that dream to resurface later in life through my work in in years,” she says, “I want to stay physically and mentally
faith. “He invested a significant amount of money in the computer graphics.” strong. If I can keep doing what I’m doing for the next 20
equipment, and I did a two-week course. I didn’t even years, I’ll be happy.” Exercise is an essential part of her
know how to switch the computer on at first, but I just Her initial interest in accounting, thanks to her strong routine, helping her maintain the stamina needed for
fell into it. It came very naturally to me.” aptitude for maths, took a back seat to graphic design. “It her demanding lifestyle. “I’ve been exercising for over
seems unrelated, but maths plays a big role in my design
Eventtiming work,” she says. “Angles, measurements, and layouts — all 40 years,” she shares. “I lift weights and run — it’s what
those skills come in handy.” keeps me going.”
Eventtiming began as her husband’s dream. “He’s a
long-term runner and has completed the Comrades Michelle credits her problem-solving skills for her However, despite the hectic pace, she finds ways to
Marathon,” she notes. “He saw a better way to manage success. She says, “I’ve taken on projects I didn’t know relax. “There’s nothing better than a quiet meal and a
timing than the old manual systems, especially for how to approach, and the satisfaction of achieving nice glass of red wine,” she says with a smile. “That’s my
smaller clubs where using permanent plastic chips was the end result is unmatched.” Michelle emphasises the idea of unwinding.”
costly.” Her husband developed a programme using importance of finding solutions rather than focusing For Michelle, business success is about persistence,
disposable timing chips, and Michelle’s involvement on problems. “If there’s a problem, there is always a problem-solving and staying grounded. “I don’t have
gradually increased. “I was just helping him at first, solution,” she asserts “That’s how I live my life. I just a formal qualification, but I’ve built two successful
but then I got more involved until we were 50/50 in get things done. If I don’t know how to do something, businesses,” she reflects. “That’s proof enough that with
the business.” I figure it out.” Staying up to date with technology is an the right attitude, you can achieve anything.”

Michelle BRADFIELD | 7