MOST people know Tilanie Grote of Durban North as a talented corporate photographer, but she’s also the chairperson of KZN Women in Business, an avid dog lover, a wife and a mom to a teenager.
Prior to photography, Grote ran a guesthouse for 14 years, but as life changed, so did her business interests.
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Her passion for motivating and supporting women in business comes from her own personal experience, when 20 years ago, she also took the giant step and opened her own business, not knowing what to expect.
“About eight years ago, I joined KZN Women in Business purely for networking purposes, but from there, personal relationships grew, friendships were formed and I realised the importance of joining clubs and forums,” she said.
Being a vested reader, Grote also holds her book club very close to her heart – another setting where she and other women come together to relax and support each other.
“As women, we underestimate the benefit of networking and joining different clubs. For someone like me who has no team, business clubs are extremely beneficial. There’s a lot you can learn when you collaborate with other women. Competition happens at the bottom; collaboration happens at the top. When I want to forget about work, I have my book club which creates the perfect escape for me. All the women I engage with from all forums are really wonderful,” she said.
Although being a business owner can be stressful at times, Grote says she enjoys the freedom that comes with it. In the past, she used to slot her personal life in whatever time she had, but now it’s the other way around – she prioritises her personal life and slots work in when she has to.
“It’s been amazing for my mental health. Too often, we find we have to juggle so much which doesn’t leave much time for us to focus on our own goals and dreams. If you are passionate about something but you’re afraid to start or to leave your current job, make the time to work at it. Once you can match your salary, you can leave your job, if that’s your plan. Otherwise, continue with it as a side hustle because if there is one thing that the Covid-19 pandemic taught us, it’s that anyone can be retrenched in a heartbeat,” she added.
Having the freedom of time means Grote gets to do charity work and is involved with animal welfare organisations and the Robinhood Foundation. She advises everyone to be more mindful of the next person and support women wherever they can.
“Women wear many hats. It’s working a full-time job, car-pooling children, running a home – the mental load is really daunting for us. It’s safe to assume that everyone is going through something, so we must always treat others with kindness,” she added.
Grote’s advice to her younger self:
Don’t wait for things to be perfect before you start. Surround yourself with good people. Identity your weakness at an early age. Realise you can’t do it all by yourself and be accepting of support. Focus on the parts you’re good at. Pay people to do the things you’re not good at.
Her business advice:
I believe there are enough clients for all of us. Find your clients and focus on them. Word of mouth is the best marketing for your business. Social media is a shop window.
Three things you didn’t know about Grote:
She studied hotel management.
She is also a qualified massage therapist.
She was once under house arrest in Greece as a backpacker for having the wrong visa.
Five favourites:
Food: Fruit
Drink: Wine
Country: Tuscany in Italy
Local spot: The Box in Virginia
Color: Green
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