Page 29 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

It is better to say less, be clear and

only say what is relevant to produce results.

“Resilient people are able to adapt to change, slowly-slowly catch the monkey” as she had been
Co-founder and Systems Director, become stronger and become dynamic leaders in impulsive and wanted to get things done very
at Wozani Berg Gasoline
the business world.” quickly. “Set your goals and know that you will get

ICHELLE GREGORY is the co-founder of Michelle believes specific incidents don’t make you, there eventually if you are resilient. Success does
Wozani Berg Gasoline (WBG), a diversified rather it is relationships and being able to change not happen overnight unless you win a jackpot.”
Mlogistics group, providing transport, fuel as life moulds you that matters. People are very Secondly, she would tell herself to be humble. “Life
storage, distribution, and supply chain services important to her and so good relationships between throws curve balls at us, so enjoy the good times
nationally and in neighbouring countries. She is the them are necessary. She feels fortunate to have a and be grateful for them, because they can be taken
systems director responsible for all procedures and support system of family and friends who have been from you in an instant.” She relates that there were
systems including telecommunications, information with her all the way. times at WBG where they had to pick themselves
technology, and software development.
Being a woman in a male-dominated industry up, dust themselves off and get back in the saddle.
Michelle started off as a teacher before getting meant Michelle had to learn the hard way to stand “Being humble is about knowing you are never so
married and then worked in the computer industry up for herself. Being the only woman around a good that nothing will go wrong.”
for three years. Michelle and her husband James table with men set in their ways requires bringing
Lastly, she would say “Be bold”. As a young mom
got an opportunity to move to the KwaZulu-Natal an art to negotiations. As Michelle likes to produce she battled to express herself, “but years later I can
Midlands where they ran a thriving trading store. something tangible quickly and efficiently, she sit around any boardroom table, rely on my gut
When Engen invited tenders for a fuel depot, she found it is better to say less, be clear and only say feeling and with integrity say what I need to say.”
and her husband made a joint bid. what was relevant to produce results. This is important, she thinks, as young people tend

James had fuel industry training and experience “Working in a man’s world is tough for a woman,” she to hold back and not say what needs to be said.
and Michelle had accounting and IT experience. She says, “you have to learn to read men, and then you The best is yet to come
says, “We were fortunate to be the right people at have to use the advantages for your benefit.”
the right place at the right time” and their bid was Michelle is not content with what she has achieved
successful. They opened a fuel depot in the tiny town Leave work behind and says that her best is yet to come. She has been
of Creighton with a truck, two drivers and a clerk. Balancing work and family life have been important, privileged to be part of WBG and aims to leave it
Despite major setbacks, through perseverance, hard but not a problem for Michelle. “I am very clear that a sustainable, well-oiled machine that can function
work and building good relationships, the business when I leave the work premises, I leave work behind. without her. She believes in giving back and through
succeeded and expanded. It’s my saving grace,” she says. WBG assists schools, supports an orphanage and
WBG now boasts a modern infrastructure nationally When Michelle and James started the business, gets involved in social projects. Though modern
with more than 200 employees. Michelle says, “To they had three toddlers and Michelle’s time had to technology, WBG offices are becoming green.
get here today has been a long process, 26 years be divided. She believes, “Being a mom is the most Now she would like to start something on her own
of hard work, almost like the process of a river from humbling and precious gift that a woman can have and says that it’s never too late to start something
start to end.” in life”. Motherhood grounds her and gives her new, she is ready for a challenge. Michelle has a
purpose. It gives her balance in the work and life
Say what is relevant and produce results passion for women in business and wants to create
scenario says Michelle. a business network run by women who own their
Good and bad life experiences have moulded own businesses.
her, making her a graduate of the University of Be patient, humble, and bold
Life. Michelle is inspired by men and women who If Michelle could give her younger self advice, Michelle is poised to do so right now, but “Even
have bounced back from hardship and hard times. she would say three things. Firstly “Be patient, baby eagles need a push to fly!” she concludes.

29