Umhlanga-based businesswoman Janice Chetty wears many hats – but she believes her true purpose is to give back to her community.
Bubbly and driven, Janice exudes positive energy. Although she is a qualified accountant, her career path has taken her to some unexpected places. “Accounting didn’t really suit my personality,” she laughs. “I’m a people person.”
While studying for her degree, she started doing part-time tutoring at local schools. She has since worked in accounting, IT training and recruiting, but having fallen in love with teaching, she decided to study her post-graduate certificate in education, which she completed last year. Passionate about education and what it can do for people, she would love to study further in the field. “Education gives you power, but you must use it,” she says.
Janice is the owner of her own recruitment business, which against all odds she started during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. But what really keeps her motivated is her community work. She recently launched an NPO called Miriam’s Mission, which was inspired by her late grandmother Miriam. “My grandmother was always giving,” she says. “She was really committed to helping the community.”
Janice reminisces about how she used to join her granny in making meals for those in need, and says that this generous and genuine spirit really impacted and inspired her. Last year marked 10 years since Miriam passed away from breast cancer, and Janice felt it fitting to launch the NPO in her memory.
“I hope to make an impact on education, technology and entrepreneurship,” she explains.
“I saw what education did for me in my life. It opens more opportunities and changes your mindset. It’s something that can’t be taken away from you once you have it.”
Besides running her own business and building Miriam’s Mission, Janice is also currently working on a programme for young entrepreneurs called Future-preneurs. The programme, which will launch early next year, is designed to teach business skills to children. She also works as a motivational speaker and loves to share her experiences and ideas with others. For her, positivity is everything. “If you want to be successful, it starts in the mind. If you can envision it, you make it a reality. You are a co-creator of your reality,” she says. “Surround yourself with people who are positive; and don’t be afraid.”
Details: www.janicechetty.co.za; [email protected]; IG: @janicechetty89
Text: JENNIFER CAMPBELL Photographs: Kim Steinberg Makeup: GINA RODRIGUES Dress: BIANCA WARREN Location: LA PARADA UMHLANGA
