FEATURES
HELGA TESKE, VOLKER TESKE – OWNER
1. WHAT DOES YOUR JOB ENTAIL? I am responsible for customer relations and maintaining relationships with clients as well as with various competitors within the industry.
2. HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE TIMBER INDUSTRY? I studied and did my Masters in woodworking in Germany before relocating to SA over 40 years ago and initially worked for companies that did kitchen design and installations.
3. WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO GET INTO THE INDUSTRY? My father had a woodworking shop and had his own carpentry business in Germany; growing up with woodworking I was interested in the technical drawing applications involved and therefore decided to follow a field of study that would be on the technical side as well as give me practical knowledge.
4. WHAT WERE THE CHALLENGES OF GETTING INTO THE INDUSTRY?
The main challenge is that the woodworking industry is quiet a male dominated industry and getting a foot in the door, so to speak, took some extra effort as I really had to prove I knew what I was talking about.
5. HOW ACCOMMODATING WAS THE INDUSTRY WHEN YOU STARTED? At times, it could be difficult but once the clients understood that I was qualified and knew what I was
Helga Teske runs a successful company in the timber industry. Image: Saalihah Brey talking about that changed very quickly and now there are no difficulties regarding that.
6. HOW DO MALE COLLEAGUES REACT TOWARDS YOU?
I really had to prove I knew what I was talking about, it is not very common for women to be in this industry and especially not to have studied this field and be qualified at Masters level. Once they realised I was qualified and talked with them in all the general woodworking terms, I was accepted easily.
7. WHAT KEPT YOU MOTIVATED TO KEEP GOING DURING DIFFICULT TIMES?
I really enjoyed owning my own business and dealing with people every day.
8. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACHIEVE IN THE COMING YEARS WITHIN THE INDUSTRY?
To successfully hand over the company to my son so he can continue the family business
9. ANY ADVICE FOR OTHER WOMEN ASPIRING TO WORK IN THIS INDUSTRY?
Try hard and do not be demotivated when your skills are questioned. Push through and prove yourself, the nay sayers will change their tune eventually.