Q&A with Vaneshiri

What is the name of your business and what is your role?

Saint Giles NPO for the Disabled. I am the Office Administrator and Marketing Assistant.

Describe your business in two sentences.

Saint Giles is a Non Profit Organisation that has been offering work opportunities to the physically disabled for the past 68 years.

Our on-site Remedial Therapy Centre also offers free remedial therapy to individuals with various physical disabilities, upon doctor referral.

How long have you been in business?

7 years and 5 months

How did you get into this business?

Even though I was always a part of the corporate world, I always longed to be involved in something where I felt that I was truly giving back to society. Being retrenched in 2010 was a “blessing in disguise” as I found what I was yearning for at Saint Giles.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced, and how did you overcome it?

3 years ago we received that horrible call that one of our friends, who was considered family, had tragically passed away at the age of 42. Then, 6 months ago I lost my cousin brother aged 45. These are types of phone calls none of us wish to get. We dealt with the situation at hand, but afterward, it made me really put into perspective how I was living my life. Today, I choose to live life to the fullest, every day. That means, enjoying my work, enjoying the people around me, trying to create the best environment and contribute to society.

What single trait/skill could you not have succeeded without?

Communication – I am a talker and I love connecting with people from all walks of life.

What is the best business advice you’ve received?

Be Authentic Always – Know your Product because only you can sell your product.

Your secret to business success is?

I believe my secret to business success is building relationships. People do business with those they know and trust.

What is your business goal for 2020?

My goal at the beginning of the year was to improve my time management skills. Strangely enough it was Covid19 and the Lockdown that afforded me the time to improve my time management skills!

Tell us one thing that not many people know about you?

We all have fears but my #1 fear is Regret – The thought of looking back on my life and sadly asking myself: “why didn’t I try that sooner?” or “why did I give the naysayers so much power over the decisions in my life?” would be absolutely devastating to me. Life is way too short not to go after my dreams, whether anyone else “gets it” or not. I might not always get it right (in fact, I often don’t), but I’ll never be that girl who refused to try. We all only get one shot at this life. I’m here to make my one shot count.