Retha Myburgh says that, “As a woman in business, I sell new beginnings and growth opportunities to others. No matter what their age or where they are from. I believe people have an amazing brain; they just need to utilise it together with their own unique gifts and talents to become the best and most effective versions of themselves. I have been in the health profession and also in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 20 years. And everything I have learnt and journeyed through in life has brought me to this very moment of helping and improving others.”
What were your initial years of growing up like? Tell us about your life before starting your corporate journey/venture/initiative.
I had a very happy childhood and grew up outside in a playful and safe environment – I was oblivious to the fact of how precious that was. With very limited adult supervision, I learnt simplification and problem solving in all aspects of my life, without even knowing how it will impact the rest of my life. I studied Nursing, there weren’t many professions to choose from in the 90’s , and I could study while working and earn money to pay for my studies. My parents didn’t have the means to assist – I had to make this work all by myself. That taught me to be resourceful and innovative in a lot of ways. I had loads of fun in the process as well. My love for people made the work very easy for me and I felt right at home as a Nurse.
Every industry that is now a large-scale, top-notch business once started as a small idea in the minds of entrepreneurs. What was that idea or motivation that made you start your business /initiative? What motivated you within to say YES, go for it!”
I started as a coach (with a natural transition from doing it informally as a manager of people – to formally coaching), but when it got hard to find customers and I reached out to other coaches in my Network, there was not much help/assistance available. I stubbornly moved forward with what I had and mentors available to me, and established my practice within 6 months at The Time Factory.
But I kept thinking – how can I make this better/easier for other coaches. And that was the first seed that started The Coach Factory Program. The moment we realized there is a need for coaches to establish a practice – we literally copied and pasted what worked for me and tailored it into a coaching program.
Tell us something about your initiative or current role. What is it about, and what impact are you trying to make?
If I can coach 20 people – imagine the impact of 20 more coaches and then grow this even bigger, and world-wide. More importantly – if I can help 5 people earn an income through every coach that trains with me – why will I not pursue this? And indirectly, families, communities and economies will benefit. Every little bit helps!
Your journey and your vision are very inspiring, but are there any achievements or accomplishments you would like to mention?
I think the one achievement I would like to mention is that The Coach Factory is only 6 months old and we have successfully trained 10 coaches already, with more in the pipeline.
Would you like to share with our young budding women entrepreneurs the change you would like to see in the world if given an opportunity?
I would like to see women step into their power and confidence, and above all know how much they are worth and how precious they are (and believe it without a doubt).
Women are a growing force in the workplaces worldwide, standing shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts. There are cracks in glass ceilings everywhere, with many women breaking through to carve out a space right at the top of the pyramid. What are your thoughts about women leadership today?
I think women can be great leaders if they step into their natural leadership capabilities and not try and do it like a man. There is a great need in the world for servitude leadership, but how to let it live in the leadership world takes cleverness and strategy, which women are great at – if they allow themselves to be their true authentic self. They have to be smart about it too. (Which is a topic on its own;-)
What would you want to say to our young women leaders/audience reading this?
It is hard work and scary to be a woman in this world – especially if you do not know what it is you want. Make sure you know what you want – set that goal – even if it seems wildly impossible. Hold on to your courage and take one step every day towards that goal. Don’t wait until the perfect time or the perfect circumstances, create the perfect environment as you go, just go and do it. It will fall into place as you go. Audrey Hepburn said: Nothing is Impossible – the word itself says I’m-possible.
