In the retail industry, it’s not often that employees go from manning the storefront to owning a franchise.
When Petra Dorfling moved from the position of shop assistant to being the owner of not only one but two PostNet franchises, she did not even bat an eyelid.
The humble Dorfling, a farm girl originally from the Eastern Cape, used to be a shop assistant at the then PostNet Cresta in the 90s before the store briefly closed its doors.
When the closure came, Dorfling took charge and with the help of a colleague of hers, handed out parcels and mail to the community who otherwise wouldn’t have had access to the store, which closed down unexpectedly. She left the company shortly after this as she felt it couldn’t give her the job security she wanted.
READ: Empowering women during Women’s month
She later rejoined the company as a manager at the same store that previously closed its doors and learned the inner-workings of the company. When yet another franchise owner left, Dorfling realised she could do the job and applied to own a franchise in 2002.
Dorfling managed to fund her dream and was the proud owner of the store she was once forced to leave. The store later moved to Blackheath Pavilion and later to Heathway Square where it is currently located.
While Dorfling made a success of that particular branch, it wasn’t enough for her and when the opportunity presented itself at Northcliff Square, she bought her second PostNet franchise.
Over the 23 years she has spent in the industry, Dorfling has become well-known in the Blackheath and Cresta communities. While her experience and success have earned her business boffin status, which is not often seen in a still male-dominated area, she remains humble.
Dorfling is almost oblivious to the leaps she is making in the business world towards gender equity in the business world and said she is simply doing what she loves doing, which has made all the rest fall into place.
To become a member of our WhatsApp community, send your name and surname to 079 439 5345.
