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#W24Tastemaker: "Take more risks"

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1. What is the biggest challenge you face as a woman in your field?

In the actual field I work in, which is accounting/commerce, being a woman isn’t the biggest challenge right now, but rather being a woman of my age, 22, (and looking like 12 year old on most days). Because impression is everything and the older you look in this industry the more people trust and respect your judgment and your questions. The looks I’ve become accustomed to getting or the surprised face when I introduce myself never gets old. It is a male-dominated area anyway and I’m hoping to make some sort of impact regardless of my age or gender.

As a blogger/media influencer my “new” biggest challenge is fellow industry professionals and their judgment. I don’t wear tons of makeup every day to look older than I am, or to pretend to be someone I’m not. People have this unsubstantiated and superficial perception of how other industry professionals should dress and look 24/7 because of what social media has deemed to be the trend.

The constant judgment is a challenge, but thankfully I know who and what I truly am, regardless of appearances on the outside.

2. What is the best and worst part of your job?

As an articled clerk, the best thing about the job is the endless opportunities to learn and grow within the industry and to broaden my horizons. I’ve met many great industry leaders who have inspired me in more ways than one. The worst? In general working and studying is no fun, and it gets more difficult as the years progress. Every job has its down days, its difficult clients and challenges that could or could not have been avoided. But for every downside there’s an upside, I choose the upside.

As a blogger the best part is I can create my own opportunities, not just for myself and my team, but also for designers and businesses through networking, proposals and marketing. It’s fun! It gets me motivated and planning towards pushing the boundaries, it allows for my creativity to come through. The worst? Rushing from work to events, having to maintain an image and the commitment it takes - that can become draining. And of course, the criticism that comes with it – I’d trade that in any day!

3. Do you think there is still room for new bloggers to make it big in SA?

Yes, because everyone has something unique to offer and every blog is completely different. I didn’t start because another blogger's work inspired me or because I wanted their glamorous life, I started blogging because it was a fiery passion. The online world is evolving and a dream can become a reality because of it. Not everyone will make it to the top or gain thousands of followers, but that’s because the paths are different, the vision is unique.

4. If you had six months left to live, what would you do?

More like what wouldn’t I do! I’m not an adventure junkie in reality - but in my mind I can do anything. It’s definitely enough motivation to live on the edge. So I’d most likely do all those crazy adventure things with everyone I love most – from road trips through Africa to bungee jumping.

I’d most probably also like to quit my day job and spend my (non-adventure) day working with kids of all ages – from pre-school fun to motivating high school students to do more.

5. If you had to choose one item from your closet and wear it every day, which item would this be and why?

Well, I wear my Forever New watch every day. I’m not a fan of wearing anything silver, but my parents did good with buying me the watch for Christmas last year and it also has rose gold in too, which I love. Nothing much matches with it, so I don’t bother wearing earrings or necklaces anymore. I think it’s taken a sentimental value on now and I just can’t leave home without it.

6. If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?

Take more risks because failure is a normal part of life.

I dabbled in many things since the age of 6, from dance to art to music, but I never followed through. I only truly stopped being a part of the creative arts at the age of 17. I would quit dance on a whim if my friends were no longer interested in it anymore, and rejoin once the passion surged back. And till this day, I somewhat regret it because the passion is still there.

I was accustomed to being the straight A student that didn’t mess up or mess with anyone. I wasn’t used to coming off second best and although no one likes failure, I’ve learnt to learn from my mistakes and improve where I can.

So definitely, I would take more risks. Passion is the winning formula after all. But, it is never too late to start again or pick yourself up and carry on.

Follow Juanita Abrahams on her blog and on Instagram.

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