Congratulations
Zelia Malherbe
Our newest Executive Vice President Sales Leader
Tell us a little about your background . Where were you prior to Norwex ?
We moved to Australia ( from South Africa ) in 2008 . In South Africa I had my own accounting practice , with my main clients being lodges in the Kruger National Park ( loved the site visits !). When we moved to Australia , the kids were very young ( Jozua was 9 months old and Gizel just over 2 years old ). I couldn ’ t go back into accounting ( I ’ d have to do conversion courses , and childcare would cost us $ 80 per child per day back then !). So I saw Norwex , and decided to “ have a play ” until the kids started school . They ’ re in year 4 and 5 now . Back to accounting ? No way !
Tell us about your family and what is important to you as a family unit .
My husband and I have been married for 12 years . We spent some time in the UK when we first met and got married , and we absolutely love travelling . Gideon currently works in Sydney – he ’ s away Sunday night to Friday night , but home every weekend . Our daughter , Gizel , is 10 years old , and our son , Jozua , is 9 . It ’ s not always easy with Gideon being away during the week , but we have a fixed routine and we manage to make it work . It is important to us to know that , as a family , we are there for each other , we support each other , and we love each other , no matter what .
Why Norwex ? What is it about Norwex that attracted you in the first place ?
The fact that it cuts down on cleaning time by up to 75 %, because I really hate cleaning ! Seriously though , it ’ s a product everyone needs , and it ’ s a product that changes lives . I ’ m passionate about teaching people how to reduce toxic chemicals in their homes and helping them to understand the danger of using those harmful chemicals , especially when they have children .
How has Norwex changed your life and the lives of your family ?
I love that Norwex enables me to be at their sport events , that I can drop them off at school , and pick them up again , and drive them to all their activities . I love that Norwex provides me with the income to be able to work my own hours , and still afford to contribute my share to the family budget . But I love even more how much my kids are learning from seeing the Norwex business example . They ’ ve learnt that sometimes we need to sacrifice for each other . They ’ ve learnt that one night per month when I have training at home , they put themselves to bed . They ’ ve learnt that we work this business together , so that we can reap the benefits together . They ’ ve learnt that sometimes Mum is going to work really , really hard ( like in a Black Jacket promotion month !), but then they also get spoilt when it is finally done and we get to go out to dinner as a family to celebrate . Other times we work really hard and sacrifice time together to qualify for an incentive trip , but then they get to enjoy the trip with us and have fun with their Norwex friends ! Norwex is teaching them goal setting , commitment and hard work , dealing with disappointment and failure when things don ’ t quite work out , but also the joy and happiness when we celebrate success .
What do you most love about Norwex and running your own business ?
The flexibility and freedom , and most importantly empowering women so that they can have that financial independence on their own terms too . I love nothing more than working with my Team , learning together and making an impact together . Norwex is so much more than a business , it ’ s a lifestyle . Norwex is not just sales , bookings , recruiting to me . Norwex is income ,
10 PEOPLE . leader interviews