Financial Advisor | Beauty Therapist

KIRSTEN SMIT

ADVISORY PARTNER CITADEL

I gain tremendous satisfaction from adding value to my clients’ lives and ensuring that their fi nances and investments are as effi cient as possible, and in line with their respective lifestyles and ever-changing circumstances. I also really enjoy the fact that the role is both highly personable in that I get to engage with clients regularly, but also has a strong analytical and strategic slant.

I have a B.Comm Honours, an MBA, a CFP qualifi cation and have also undergone RE training, and have various certifi cations across all the asset classes from the South African Institute of Financial Markets (SAIFM). In addition, the role requires ongoing continuous professional development (CPD), so I spend a lot of time attending investment forums, reading, and keeping up to date with what is happening in the markets.

The day starts with me spending time catching up on the markets from the day before. I’m subscribed to several media platforms that cover all noteworthy events. From there, I will reply to emails and check-in with my assistants. I usually see 2-3 clients a day, and then spend the time between meetings rebalancing portfolios, running cashfl ow analyses, and writing up client minutes and investment proposals. Networking is also important; I spend a considerable amount of time each month attending events, keeping in touch with prospective clients, and looking to build my brand and profi le.

I really love the fact that every client is diff erent and that I get to help them along their respective journeys. I also value the fl exibility – I am a mom of four young kids, and it is important to me that I can attend events that are important to them.

While I cannot pin down a specifi c highlight, I have found enormous satisfaction in growing my experience and skill set over time. My book (assets under management) has constantly evolved and grown and I’m currently managing over R1 billion worth of assets which, while fi nancially rewarding, is also a huge responsibility. I am also proud of the inroads we are making in empowering females in the investment space. I am passionate about spreading the importance of fi nancial health and wellness, especially among women.

You need to be able to engage with others, form trusting relationships, and more than anything, be able to listen. A strong analytical ability also helps.

Always be looking to learn. You will never know everything, and the world is changing at a rapid pace, so always seek to upskill yourself.

NATALIE CORNELIUS

SOOTHE BODY & SKINCARE STUDIO

As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a beauty therapist. Knowing that my qualifi cations allow me to work anywhere in the world was a deciding factor, as was the fact that it’s a business you can potentially run from home.

I studied at Cape Town Academy after completing matric. I did a National Diploma in Health and Beauty Therapy and also an international ITEC Diploma in Physiatrics and Aesthetician.

They should be a patient person, good at listening; someone who enjoys interacting with people.

Formal training is very important when starting out, but practise makes perfect. When it comes to starting your own business, experience is essential. It takes time to build good relationships with clients, and knowledge about what’s happening in the industry comes from having long-standing relationships with suppliers.

My working day starts at about 9am and I see between six and 12 clients a day. It’s tricky juggling treatments and managing the business – throw in two kids and you have a rollercoaster ride. I do enjoy the ride though, every time.

I really love the fact that every day is diff erent and you never know who you might meet. Seeing clients leave my salon happy is very rewarding.

Clients can be very demanding, sometimes even unreasonable. I try my best to keep all my clients happy, but there’s always one!

If I can add a date, it would be 15 November 2008: the day my salon opened its doors.

I would like to expand my salon, employ more therapists and off er a wider range of treatments. I also want to open a spa in the Karoo.

Work hard and build up your experience; look after your clients and they’ll stay with you for a long time; work in at least two salons before starting your own business.