17 . List 5 tools that have helped you in business ? For example , the Pomodoro timer .
• Trello / Asana
• Canva
• Microsoft Teams
• Miro
• Google Analytics
18 . When you have free time , how do you like to spend it ? I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and have developed deep and meaningful relationships . As a family , we enjoy travelling and immersing ourselves in different cultures – we love trying and experiencing new things . We also consider ourselves as ‘ foodies ’ and love visiting new restaurants and tasting and drinking various wines . We also relish ‘ downtime ’ in the bush or at the beach . In addition , I love reading and listening to podcasts . We have also recently taken up golfing as a family sport .
19 . Which entrepreneur do you look up to in business and why ? I am obsessed with Vusi Thembekwayo ! He is a South African business magnate , keynote speaker , author , podcaster , coach , and mentor .
Vusi regularly shares his journey of hardships and financial challenges , which taught him at a young age that success is only achieved through hard work , dedication , and obsession . His YouTube channel and podcast are highly relatable , incredibly thought-provoking and action-inspiring . His content is raw , honest and straightforward . He is an invaluable source of global business wisdom , a serial entrepreneur and a disruptor . Vusi was also one of the youngest directors of a listed company in South Africa . Coupled with this , he is charismatic , authentic , relevant , fun , and likeable .
20 . What made you go into a predominantly male-dominated field , and what challenges do you face ? Unfortunately , there is no inspiring story behind this . After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant , I joined the Fraud Investigation and Dispute Services ( FIDS ) department at Ernst & Young in Johannesburg . I had been in the FIDS department for a few months when my Dad ( then Managing Director of Leonard Light Industries ) approached me and asked me to come and work for him . It was never one of my goals , nor my intention , to join the family run engineering company . My dream at that point was to be CEO of a listed company .
Nevertheless , he kept nagging me , and I responded that I was happy where I was and how my career was progressing . He eventually convinced me to attend a board meeting , saying that if I were not interested after the board meeting , he would not ask me again . Well , let ’ s say that the rest is history . During and after that board meeting , I saw so much potential for my career growth , and I also had a vested interest in the business .
When I joined Leonard Light Industries , I felt I had to prove myself to the existing staff members . My concern was that they believed I had only been appointed in my position as I was family rather than because I was suitable for the job .