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 .