FOR many years, the South community has known Carla Juta and Dean Myburgh as the faces of The Glen Shopping Centre.
They’ve been at the helm of the marketing department for the past eight years and it’s obvious they work exceptionally well together.
Carla has been in management for eight years and Dean for about 13. “Even the furniture has been replaced more often than me,” joked Dean.
About Carla
Carla was born and raised in Brackendowns. She attended Glenview Primary School and Bracken High School before studying at Varsity College where she obtained an IMM graduate diploma in marketing.
“After working many temporary jobs while studying, I went from being a personal assistant to a planner and then to a junior brand manager at Nu Metro. After responding to a newspaper advert, I am now the marketing coordinator and sales manager at The Glen Shopping Centre,” said Carla.
In September, Carla will have been married for nine years. As mom to four-year-old Gabriella and six-month-old Eliah, Carla has her hands full as she climbs the corporate ladder.
About Dean
Dean was born and raised on the opposite end of Johannesburg, in the Cresta area, and completed his schooling and studies there.
“I moved to the East Rand 14 years ago. I started studying architecture and then found that it wasn’t for me so I spent a year doing my national service, in the army. When that was over, I found myself in retail,” said Dean.
He began his career at Truworths where he worked his way up to being a branch manager. He then joined Total Sports, at The Glen, as manager. It was here that he met the love of his life who became his wife 13 years ago.
“She was the branch manager at a store called Topics at the time, and it was love at first sight. We have known each other for 17 years,” he said.
About their business relationship
“Dean always says I’m like his little sister. We are always laughing and looking out for each other. We have become more of a family now that we have worked together for so long. We braai together and our families really get along. Dean is a great manager and, for him, family always comes first,” said Carla.
Dean agreed that they have obviously grown to know each other well and have evolved from colleagues into family friends.
“Carla is my right hand and we work very well together. When I am away I have full confidence that she can run the marketing department well. We often make the exact same decisions and it’s like our brains have synced in terms of work. There is always a time to work and a time to play. Marketing is quite a fun business but it is also very demanding and challenging,” said Dean.
“Every day is different, apart from the set duties that we have, and that’s what makes the job more exciting,” said Carla.
“Carla keeps me level-headed; she’s the logical one,” interrupted Dean. The two laughed and Carla explained how Dean is the creative and fun one while she has to be the more level headed of the two.
The team spoke about the revamp of the centre, saying that the public should look forward to a lot of good changes.
“The new food court will have a soft top roof, escalators leading up to Nu Metro, gaming areas, more fast food outlets and the Wimpy will be re-opening opposite Game, in July. There will be a lot more seating areas too and many great cosmetic changes to the centre, in the near future,” said Dean.
Spur, Panarottis, RocoMamas and Nando’s will continue to trade during the renovation period.
Dean and Carla said the renovations will not affect any tenants and there will not be any dust or parking issues for patrons to contend with.
Keep a lookout for the many exciting promotions Dean, Carla and the team will be running while the centre is being revamped.
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