Let’s do better this Women’s Month, says Greenwood Park woman
The Greenwood Park businesswoman, mom, grand-mom and organiser of the popular Greenwood Park Lifestyle Market, said she would like to see women and people in general uplifting women every day, not just during Women's Month.
WATCHING people rise up in life and doing what she can to help them reach new heights, is where Nevanna Burton’s passion lies.
“I feel like we make such a noise about women and all things related during the month of August and, when August is over, it all does down. We should be helping our women every day,” she said.
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Burton has worked in corporate for many years and now owns her own business.
“Leaving corporate was the biggest decision I had to make but one that I wasn’t scared to make. The experience taught me so much, but I knew I could do so much more,” she said.
She and her husband have five children together – three girls and two boys.
“I am also a grandmother to two boys who are GT sport duplicate fanatics, and this needs a diary of its own. There’s a lot of juggling between business and family,” she said.
So how does Burton do it? By rising early to make sure everything gets done, but once she is done with the day’s tasks, she takes some time out for herself.
“It’s usually during the late hours that you’ll find me reading, catching up on current affairs or chatting to friends and family,” she said.
She also enjoys sitting back with a good cup of coffee and going on walks and hikes.
“We’re a very health-conscious family – whether it’s a walk, hike or a cycle on the beach, we try,” said Burton.
Last year, after seeing how Covid-19 had ripped through the economy, leaving breadwinners jobless and families struggling to put food on the table, she decided to start a lifestyle market in her neighbourhood.
“There are so many talented people who just needed a platform to show what they are capable of and to earn an income, so I thought a market would be a great start,” she said.
Burton added that it also gave families and the youth especially, something to look forward to.
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“The market is flourishing, and we look forward to welcoming new vendors, and I’ve been asked to propose a plan for another market in a suburb in Durban,” added Burton.
Her advice to women who want so start a business is to do the research first.
“Education is key. Believe in yourself, your product and the quality of your product. Competing in a male-dominated industry sometimes means you will work ten times harder to be recognized, but persevere,” said Burton.
To the younger women, she says education is important, and she doesn’t mean just being book-smart.
“You have to be street-smart, too. If you find yourself in a tough situation, speak to people that you can trust and that can help you get out of situations, whether it’s compiling a CV, domestic violence, claiming child support and the like,” she said.
Lastly, to women in general, she advises that women should support women instead of look down on them because of their unfortunate situations.
“We all hear the negative stories in our communities. It’s not our job to spread the stories but rather to see how we can assist. For example, let’s help the mother with babysitting her children so she can have an hour to herself, or help that mom with a number for a rehabilitation centre. Let’s do better,” she ended.
