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How do you balance such a successful career and being a mom at the same time?
There is no recipe to balancing career and motherhood. For me, it is simply a case of prioritising. Because I have many things that are important to me, including my business and my family, I make sure to focus only on one thing at a time. So, when it is family time, I stop multitasking, turn off my iPad and cellphone and give them my full, undivided attention.
How has having children changed your life and career?
Having children has changed my life drastically. When I leave home I can no longer grab my things and go. I have to ensure my children are cared for and that they have everything they need. In order to give them my full attention has meant natural sacrifices like cutting down on business trips. Most importantly, they have brought a maturity to my life and taught me patience, skills that I now apply to my business.
Being a former Miss South Africa was it difficult to see your body change when you became pregnant? How have you dealt with your post-pregnancy body? Do you have any tips for getting back into shape after giving birth?
I am the worst person to ask about this as I have been blessed with good genes! That being said, I enjoyed every stage of my pregnancy and took it as it came. I did gain weight during my pregnancy and, surprisingly, gained even more weight when I was breast-feeding! Strangely enough, I lost this weight as soon as I stopped breast-feeding.
My tips to new moms would be to not believe the myth that you are ‘eating for two people.’ Eat a balanced diet, look after yourself and cut out on junk food, and this will make sure you don’t gain unnecessary weight.
After spending time in the modelling industry, what would you say to your daughter becoming a model? Would you support her or are you wary of the industry?
Yes, I am wary of the modelling industry. However, my parents always gave me the freedom to pursue whatever I wanted and I will allow my daughter to do the same. I will educate her on the reality of the modelling industry, and with this knowledge she can make a decision.
What advice would you give to young girls today?
My advice would be: There is no other version of you, there is only one you. So follow your dreams, grab opportunities and try until you succeed at what you love. Most of all, when doing so have respect for others and for yourself.
If you could write a letter to yourself when you were younger, what would you say?
I grew up very shy and because of this I feel I could have achieved more when I was younger. For this reason I would write to myself, “Come out of your shell!” This is why in my career I have focussed on grooming girls when they are younger, so that I can give them the confidence they need to pursue opportunities and succeed.
What’s in store for you over the next five years? Where can we expect to see you?
I will soon be launching a range of cosmetics for the hotel industry. I am working on expanding my Real Architects Women’s Day event (being held on Saturday) to other African countries. All in all I just want to keep working on being a better person, a better mother and making a positive difference to my country.
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If you would like to learn more about Joan or meet this inspirational woman, she will be speaking at the highly anticipated Women’s Day Event; ‘Women…The Real Architects of Society’ held on the 24 August at Vodaworld, Midrand.
This is the third year running that Ramagoshi is running a large-scale event to draw together and inspire South African women.
Select guest speakers Edith Venter, Michael Mol, Herman
Mashaba and Thabiso Sikwane will present on topics relevant to the challenges
South African women face in their professional and personal lives, offering
inspiring anecdotes and advice on how they overcame similar challenges while
staying true to themselves.
Tickets for Women…The Real Architects of Society can be bought by phoning 010 5912867, emailing info@realarchitects.co.za or visiting www.realarchitects.co.za. The event will run from 09:00 to 18:00 on Saturday, 24 August.
