Page 99 - KZN Top Business Women 2019 eBook

Apply the core values of authenticity and ethics to your business practice

and never compromise on these, as they are the foundation for success.

complement of 12 people to a business that houses between contentment and the opposing force of
Area Principal over 65 people. During the ten years that Carol has her ambitious nature. “I don’t think I will ever be fully
for Pam Golding Properties, North Durban
owned the business, she has acquired a stake in satisfied with my accomplishments – there is a world
the Durban franchise and expanded to include the of opportunity, and I lie awake at night strategising
AROL REYNOLDS owns and manages the
Pam Golding North Durban franchise, which Umhlanga, Sibaya and Umdloti territories. about how I can improve my status quo.“
Coperates from Durban North through to I have not achieved this alone “I studied psychology and love incorporating coaching
Umdloti. In reflecting on people who have inspired and into my business practice – I need to do more of this!
In describing herself she says, ‘I am a business woman, assisted her, she said, “I have not achieved this alone There is also room for improvement across all five pillars
of my business – each division can grow and thrive,
a mother, a wife, a friend, a terrible cook, a wannabee – Andrew Golding, my parents and my business feeding the other pillars to create a strong foundation
yogi, a homemaker, a creative, a peace-maker, a liberator, partners have allowed me to unlock various for ongoing success.”
a dreamer, a visionary, an academic, a life coach, a non- opportunities along the way.”
drinker, a non-smoker and a doer.” “My parents have always been a huge inspiration to Harnessing the unique skills of a team

Reflecting on her career, Carol explains that as she me – they are humble, ethical, upstanding and well- Being a mother is hugely important to Carol. She
comes from a property family, property is in her blood. educated. They never compromise their principles grapples with the fact that she is always compromising
“I studied law, thinking I would continue my father’s and always conduct themselves with the utmost to balance work and family responsibilities and often
legacy, but got side-tracked by the world of television integrity.” feels that she is failing dismally.
and modelling, which took me out of the corporate “Pam Golding has been a great mentor to me – she However, to address her work-life balance Carol
space for over a decade. I only entered the property set her heights above the rest, soared and never believes that there is value in collaboration, strategic
industry, my greatest passion, ten years later.” looked back. She brought empathy, compassion and alliances, partnerships and harnessing the unique
In her early thirties, Carol stopped modelling to focus heart into the real estate industry, and these qualities skills of a team. “I have embraced the expansion of
on a career with greater longevity. At this juncture, set her apart from the competition.” my business, created management positions and
she fell pregnant with her first child and caught up in “Nelson Mandela is also one of my mentors – I was welcomed partners into my business who have
the euphoria of being a mother, opened a children’s fortunate enough to meet him and have tea with him different skills to me. This has enabled me to expand
clothing and décor store. “Sadly, this was more of a at his residence. He held my hand and looked me in faster, achieve more, plug the holes in my business
heartfelt creative outlet, than a source of income, so the eye with genuine support and encouragement, and, most importantly, it has given me time to be
I ventured back into the corporate world and ran the telling me how proud he was that I had completed with my family. As Pam Golding said, “nothing worth
Western Cape region of Rodel Finance for a few years.” my law degree. He is the reason I run my business as a having is ever built alone.”

During this time, Carol yearned to return to her family servant leader, building my team from behind rather In the past, Carol wishes that she had trusted more in
in KZN. As her mother had owned a Pam Golding than dictating from the front.” divine intervention and worried less about the future.
franchise, Carol had come to know the Golding family. Success comes from authenticity “Apply the core values of authenticity and ethics to
Fortuitously, Andrew Golding was opening a flagship your business practice and never compromise on
branch in Durban and needed a manager. In addition, said Carol, success comes from authenticity these, as they are the foundation for success. Bring
and this means that as women in business, we need in the right people, get the culture right; the rest is
“We opened the Durban branch in 2008 as the to behave as women do. “My business is founded about commitment, goals, determination, small wins
property market crashed! I was faced with the on values like compassion, teamwork, humanity and and daily steps on the path to success.”
daunting task of either retrenching colleagues or genuine consideration for others. As women, we “Always learn from your mistakes; embrace change;
moving on myself,” said Carol. She chose the latter focus more on people and relationships rather than give generously to those in need and never give
and purchased the Durban North franchise of Pam simply chasing deals, which means that we are geared up. Finally, feed your tank and feed your soul – don’t
Golding Properties in 2009. for long-term success, resilience and longevity.” burn out, because you need to shine your light upon

Carol grew the business from a staff and agent One of Carol’s life-long dilemmas is the quandary others,” concluded Carol.

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