Page 79 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

Even if we only improve once a week,

by the end of the year, we’ve made significant progress.

growth opportunities and learning development.” In has instilled in her business. “We run our business
Owns and Manages , addition, Ana worked under leaders who inspired her. based on three key values: integrity, innovation, and
Just Property
“One in particular was the most incredible leader who excellence,” she shares. “Doing the right thing is non-
showed me that anything was possible.” negotiable. We don’t compromise on our values, even
na Roberts currently owns and manages two real
if it means walking away from a deal that could bring
estate companies under the Just Property brand, By the time she left, Ana had reached the position of HR
in money.” Innovation is another driving force behind
Apart of a national franchise network. Ana owns director, navigating the high-pressure world of corporate her success. “We’re constantly looking at how we can
the branches in Upper Highway and Umhlanga. The leadership. “It was an environment that taught me a huge be 1% better than yesterday,” she explains. “Even if we
business primarily focuses on property rentals and sales. amount,” she says, “but at 54, I decided it was time to find only improve once a week, by the end of the year, we’ve
some balance in my life.”
Ana has carved a niche for herself by adopting made significant progress.” Excellence, Ana believes, is
innovative approaches, particularly in marketing and Fast-Paced Approach the third pillar of her business philosophy. “You have to
sales strategies. “I don’t have a traditional background aim to be brilliant at everything you do. If you’re aiming
in real estate,” Ana admits. “That’s why we do things In January 2020, just before the chaos of Covid-19, Ana to come second, you’re not aiming high enough.”
differently. Our show houses aren’t like the typical ones made the leap into real estate. “I had zero experience,”
she admits. “The only real estate experience I had was Despite her many achievements, Ana admits that her
you see, and we market properties in a way that stands buying two homes in my lifetime!” However, Ana saw greatest challenge has been herself. “I’m ridiculously
out from the rest.”
an opportunity to pivot and learn something new. driven,” she says.
On the rental side, Ana’s company offers two services. “Lockdown turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I spent Ana added that her biggest dream has had two
“We either help landlords procure tenants, or we take 40 to 50 hours a week doing webinars, training, and components. One is to be completely self-sufficient.
full responsibility for managing the property from absorbing as much as I could about real estate.” “Although I have an incredible husband, I always wanted
maintenance to rental payments as if we were the By the time lockdown restrictions eased, Ana had to be able to stand on my own two feet and achieve
landlord,” she explains. “This aspect of the business has acquired a theoretical understanding of the real estate both financially as well as from a goals’ perspective. The
become a massive part of what we do.” industry. Within two years, by 2022, she had qualified as second was to ensure that my kids looked up to me as
a principal, a process that normally takes people five to a role model, so doing the right things to get the right
A Drive for Success
nine years, which reflects her fast-paced approach to life results. I want to leave a legacy that I can be proud of,
Ana’s journey to real estate ownership is an inspiring and work. “I don’t have a pause button,” she says. “We not just in business, but in every aspect of my life.”
one, marked by a drive for success. Born in Mozambique, just go fast all the time.”
Ana moved to South Africa at the age of eight. “I didn’t Ana’s leadership approach has impacted on both her For a young woman aiming to achieve similarly, Ana
speak any English when I arrived,” she recalls. “It was business and her team. For Ana, the true impact isn’t advises focusing on your goals and pursuing them
quite a challenge, but I’ve always considered myself a just the business success but the transformation, relentlessly. Believe in yourself and be prepared to
Durbanite since I grew up there.” through training and coaching, she’s witnessed in invest the necessary time and effort to reach where you
her employees many of whom, like her, had no prior want to be. A strong work ethic is essential, and most
She studied at the University of Natal, setting her sights importantly, never compromise your values.
on becoming an accountant. “But I quickly realised that experience in real estate. “The biggest achievement has
people, innovation, and marketing were a lot more been seeing people grow and achieve amazing things While her drive has led to business success, Ana
fun,” she laughs. “So, I majored in industrial psychology in their lives,” she reflects. “One of my team members, acknowledges that finding balance remains a
and marketing, which eventually led me into human who previously sold fudge, earned over R1.2 million challenge. “For me, the challenges in business are
in commission in her first year. Another, who spent 47
resources (HR).” opportunities, but balancing my personal life is harder.”
years in shipping, became the Rookie of the Year in his Looking ahead, Ana’s goal is to establish a stronger
For over 27 years, Ana worked in corporate HR, with the first year in real estate.” management structure within her businesses to allow
majority of her time spent in one organisation. “Although Three Key Values her more personal time with her family, a source of
I stayed with one company, I probably changed roles grounding and joy for her. “I’ve got an amazing life,”
every three to four years, which offered incredible Ana attributes much of her success to the values she she concludes.

Ana ROBERTS | 77