Page 75 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

I always set goals for each new year that take

the previous year’s achievements to the next level.

Building a business was not easy and, Cindy points world into men and women. “I think that business
Owner of Pro-Appointments and Pro Talent, and
Founder and chairperson of the Robin Hood out, with success came growth and she had to people need to create an approach that works for
Foundation learn new skills. “I lacked general business and them. They need to work it out according to their
accounting skills when I started, and I had a very circumstances and be prepared to be flexible and
steep learning curve to get my head around the adapt. Sometimes, women tend to have the lion’s
INDY NORCOTT is the owner of Pro
Appointments and Pro Talent, which are figures. Two years into the business, I obtained the share of household responsibility, so they have to
Crecruitment agencies that she has had for services of a business mentor, Andrew, who helped juggle responsibilities a lot more and often have
the past 25 years. She is the founder and chairperson me for about three years with advice and business less time to work on their businesses due to family
of the Robin Hood Foundation, a charity that was strategy.” commitments. I do not however, think that this
formed in 2005. Cindy is also a motivational speaker, Cindy has always been fortunate in having good necessarily applies to all women.”
business coach and the author of the best-selling staff in her company and says that they have been In her day to day business life Cindy prefers to
book, “How to be Unstoppable”. instrumental in the success of her business. think of achieving a work-life balance as work-life
integration. “Sometimes, at work, I make personal
She launched her first company in a spare room Making a difference calls and do some personal tasks and often at
of her parents’ home with an old desk, a couple of Apart from her energy-charged motivational and home, I am working. I plan my working day around
chairs, a telephone, fax machine and typewriter. “I inspirational speaking engagements and appear- my daughter’s school schedule so that I can fetch
started my business at 23 with R2 500 in my bank ances, she is most proud about the contribution she her most days of the week. I don’t think I have the
account, and I have never had to touch that money. is making to the community through her non-profit balance right, but I am consciously working on my
I have never applied for a loan and I have been organisation, the Robin Hood Foundation. wheel of life, trying to achieve in all areas. It is a
blessed to have been able to increase my profits year
The Robin Hood Foundation which was launched constant struggle for me,” she commented.
on year,” said Cindy.
14 years ago runs projects such as Love the Babies, Think bigger
Surrounded by amazing people Bless a Granny and Grandpa, Hope Breakfasts and

Cindy attributes her success to hard work, being Gogo Bags. “We host entrepreneurial conferences and Her struggle to achieve is reflected in her desire to
believe in herself and think bigger as she knows she
exceptionally disciplined and surrounding herself parties for schools with children with special needs. has what it takes to be a success. The advice that
with “amazing” people. She thinks that having free We run more than 100 projects per year and our focus she would give her younger self is to have more fun
is helping people in need. As the name suggests, we
office space at her parents’ home and having their along the way. “I would also tell myself to set better
take from the rich and we give to the poor. Through
emotional support helped. boundaries as I often say yes to too many requests
our work, individuals and organisations are making a
Failure she says was never an option. Although her difference,” said Cindy. for my time and energy. I would tell myself to be
business was from home, she would wake up, get more assertive and not worry too much about other
dressed and start work at the same time every day. I The Foundation is managed by a paid coordinator, people’s opinions.”
loved what I was doing, and I was having fun.” Kim Griffith Jones, who is dedicated, highly organ- While Cindy is very happy with her achievements
ised, passionate and multi-talented. Her skills are
Cindy reflects that she was also inspired by many combined with an enthusiastic team of volunteers to date, she continues to strive for more success. “I
of her friends in business who are all very different and a committee who work tirelessly for free. All of think it is engrained in my DNA to want to out strip
but who share common values and character traits. this makes the charity work smoothly and seamlessly. last year’s self, so I always set goals for each new
These include courage under pressure, resilient year that take the previous year’s achievements to
spirits, positive outlooks, massive energy reserves, Work-life integration the next level. I would like to publish my second
servant hearts and when things are down, they have Speaking on gender differences in business, Cindy business book next year and I would like to grow
a sense of humour to rely on. says that she does not advocate separating the my international and national speaking business.”

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