Page 81 - KZN Top Business Women 2024

You nurture those relationships that are valuable to you,

and you draw strength from them.

to lifelong learning. One of her biggest dreams is to you build along the way,” she often says. “Don’t take
Managing Director and Founder,
Powerpoint Lifestyle complete her PhD. “I’m quite the dreamer,” she admits. them for granted.”
“I’ve been working on this for some time, and I’m feeling
the urge to finish it. Not because I’m running out of time, Personal Reflections and Future Goals
manda Swana, managing director and founder of
Powerpoint Lifestyles, reflects on her remarkable but because commitments keep piling up.” Amanda’s Amanda’s journey has been one of continuous learning,
Ajourney from childhood in the Eastern Cape PhD thesis will expand on her master’s research, exploring unlearning, and transformation. “It’s not about reaching
to business leadership, entrepreneurship, and personal career development and the challenges of changing a destination,” she reflects. “I used to think that once I
growth. careers mid-life. She reflects on individuals who, like a achieved a certain goal, I would feel fulfilled. But I came to
medical doctor she once encountered, radically shifted realise that it’s the journey of becoming that matters.” For
Born in the Eastern Cape, Amanda recounts the pivotal careers: “He said to me, ‘I want to be a musician,’ and I Amanda, becoming is about transforming how she sees
decision her mother made when Amanda was just eight realised that many people don’t take that step because life and being open to the lessons each moment offers.
years old. “My mother made the hard decision to relocate they’re paralysed by fear.” “Who I am today will not be who I am next year, and that’s
us to KwaZulu-Natal for schooling purposes,” she says. the beauty of it,” she says.
This move was driven by the belief that the educational Reflecting on her leadership philosophy, Amanda reveals
opportunities in the Eastern Cape at that time were not a deep commitment to serving others. “Business is Her faith plays a central role in her life. “It’s definitely the
suitable for the family. servanthood; leadership is servanthood,” she asserts. This mercy of God that has brought me this far,” Amanda
perspective has shaped how she approaches her role as admits. She recognises that much of her success has come
Amanda completed her high school education at Durban a business leader. “You’re constantly serving, whether it’s not from following a strict formula but from trusting in
Academy, located on the Bluff in Durban. She then pursued a client’s vision or a client’s dream. You’re always in the her faith and constantly conversing with herself. “The
her tertiary studies, obtaining a Bachelor of Social Science position of pursuing the ability to serve.” biggest enemy is the mind,” she acknowledges. “We are
from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her academic often our own worst critics, and the first step to success is
journey did not end there, as she went on to complete In addition, Amanda’s approach to leadership is not one believing that you can.”
her master’s degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. of management but of guidance and vision. “I don’t
“It was during this time that I also pursued business and believe in micromanaging people,” she states. Instead, Looking to the future, Amanda has clear goals both
entrepreneurship,” Amanda shares. she focuses on enabling her team to grow and develop personally and for her business. Alongside her academic
within the organisation. “We foster an environment where ambitions, she is also working on publishing her first book,
During her high school and university years, Amanda did team members are gently nudged to do better, whether which will expand on the research she has conducted
a lot of promotional work. She was the type of person through further studies or professional development.” on career development. From a business perspective,
who could sell anything—even a simple tea bag—and Powerpoint Lifestyles is looking to expand its operations
make you believe it was the best tea you’d ever taste. “I This leadership approach extends to how she engages across various provinces and diversify its skill offering.
never thought of myself as a salesperson,” she explains, with her team. Meetings at Powerpoint Lifestyles are “We’re testing the market to see where there is potential
“but if I believed in what I was offering, I wanted you to not hierarchical; instead, they are opportunities for for growth,” she says.
believe in it too.” everyone to contribute. “We don’t just report back in
meetings. It’s about discussion, brainstorming, and Despite her busy schedule, Amanda still finds time to
After working in promotions, Amanda branched into the consultation. Everyone adds value, regardless of their relax. “I love reading, especially at the beach,” she shares.
beauty industry, becoming a nail technician while still role,” she explains. She also enjoys working out, finding that a gym session
in university. Eventually, she found a passion for events can do wonders for both her body and mind. “Balance is
management, an area she continues to work in today. Amanda places a strong emphasis on human relations key,” she emphasises.
She owns an events management company, although and the power of connections in both business and
she doesn’t consider it work. “That’s where I find rest and personal life. “There is so much value in human relations,” In all aspects of her life—whether personal, professional,
creativity,” she says. “There’s something deeply fulfilling she stresses. “You nurture those relationships that are or spiritual—Amanda Swana remains focused on growth,
about taking a client’s concept, designing it, and seeing it valuable to you, and you draw strength from them.” In empowerment, and becoming the best version of herself.
come to life at the event.” her view, fostering these connections is essential not Her journey serves as an inspiration to many, particularly
only in business but also in personal growth. “If you’re those looking to make bold career changes or pursue their
Despite her achievements, Amanda remains committed going into business, you must value the relationships dreams against the odds.

Amanda SWANA | 79