Page 31 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

I always remind myself not to get stuck in a comfort zone.

Comfort kills growth, so I’m always pushing myself and my team to do better.

though not without its difficulties. “It was tough seeing the Yes Youth programme, helping them gain the work
Founder and Director,
people get fired and handling disciplinary hearings, but experience they need to start their careers. We’ve been
MGM HR Services
I learned to manage it. That’s the nature of HR—policy, able to direct R25 million towards causes like school
procedure, and following the rules.” fees, bursaries, crèches and rural development to help
ichelle Isaac, founder and director of MGM previously disadvantaged individuals.” MGM HR Services
HR Services, has built a successful career in After several years as an HR manager, Michelle found
ensures that their clients meet their objectives, and that
Mhuman resources and compliance, specialising herself at a crossroads. “I was no longer enjoying what
expenditure is safeguarded in terms of compliance.
in B-BBEE (Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment), I was doing, and I needed a change. Luckily, with my
employment equity, and skills development. From retail husband’s support, we agreed that I could try consulting.” Michelle’s commitment to personal growth is reflected
to ICT, construction to manufacturing, MGM HR Services in how she approaches her business. “I’ve always been
operates across diverse sectors, making an impact in Significant Risk focused on building processes and systems, which has
KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. Through her business, It wasn’t a planned move, she admits. “I always thought I’d made it easier to manage the workload as the business
Michelle has facilitated large-scale initiatives in skills be employed by someone, but I didn’t realise my perfect grew. My team appreciates that everything is streamlined,
development and small medium and micro enterprise employer would be myself!” Starting her consultancy was which allows us to provide top-tier service to our clients.”
support, helping companies meet their compliance a significant risk. “I had no contacts, nothing. I resigned, Michelle also credits her success to business figures
targets while uplifting individuals and communities. took a few steps back, and started from scratch.” such as Margaret Hirsch and Vivian Reddy, who have

While Michelle’s biggest dream was to have a career, Despite the challenges, Michelle discovered her passion inspired her with their straightforward approaches and
be independent and have financial stability, her path for being in business, serving clients, and building an willingness to share their knowledge. “I love learning
to success wasn’t without challenges. From a university effective team. “Once I started hiring staff, the business about the experiences of successful people. It helps me
dropout to an entrepreneur, Michelle’s story is one of took off. It’s been an amazing journey. What I really enjoy when I’m struggling. I think back to how they overcame
perseverance, adaptation, and the pursuit of growth. now is providing excellent service to clients and seeing their challenges.”
my team grow and develop.” When asked about the advice she would give to young
Michelle’s journey began with uncertainty. After matric-
ulating in 2000, she struggled to find her footing in With Michelle at the helm, MGM HR Services has grown women, Michelle stresses the importance of self-
university, dropping out after two years due to a lack rapidly. Her background in HR, payroll, and labour investment and perseverance. “If you don’t know what
of focus. “I just couldn’t discipline myself to study,” she relations has been a valuable asset in providing value- you want to do, at least know what you don’t want to do,
reflects. Feeling lost, she took a retail job that quickly made added services to clients, many of whom have come to and start there. Invest in yourself — your education, your
her realise it wasn’t where she wanted to be. “It took just rely on her expertise and dedication. skills. That investment will bring you many rewards.”
one year for me to realise that wasn’t the life I wanted.” Looking to the Future
Michelle added, “There’s always something changing in
With her family’s support, Michelle returned to her B-BBEE, skills development and equity. It’s a constantly While Michelle has achieved much, she remains open
studies, enrolling in human resources (HR) at Durban shifting environment. We partner with the right people to whatever the future holds. “I never planned to be in
University of Technology. Determined to succeed, she and build good relationships so that we’re able to help business, so now I just wake up, show up, and do my best.
juggled day and night classes, completing her diploma each other which is something I find comfort in — being I support my team, and I stay open to new opportunities
and a BTech in HR Management. This decision set the able to create a close network.” and challenges.” For Michelle, growth never stops. “I
foundation for her success, landing her an internship always remind myself not to get stuck in a comfort zone.
at the Spar Distribution Centre in KwaZulu-Natal. It was Michelle’s achievements are numerous, but she remains Comfort kills growth, so I’m always pushing myself and
here that her human resources career began. grounded, always striving for more. “Since 2017, we’ve my team to do better.”
grown exponentially without needing to advertise. It’s all
“I started as an HR intern at Spar Distribution Centre been word-of-mouth; thanks to the service we provide. In her spare time, Michelle finds balance by spending
and through that opportunity I was able to move on to In Michelle’s words, “We’ve facilitated R343 million in time at the beach with her husband and son or relaxing at
other companies working my way up to HR officer, case skills development expenditure and directed R69 million home. “We’re homebodies, but we love the beach. I also
management officer, HR business partner, and eventually towards small businesses. We’ve placed over 4,800 enjoy reading, yoga and walking to stay active. Health is
HR manager,” she recalls. The experience was invaluable, learners into learnership programmes and 197 youth into important to me,” she concludes.

Michelle ISAAC | 29