of our previous business, I was already

a competent marketer, so I used this

knowledge and started a home-based

business that didn’t require much

capital outlay, or even staff for that

matter.

‘I call myself a Network and

Information Partner, and specialise

in eCommerce techniques online. A

mouthful, I know, but basically I share

my knowledge of how to harness the

wealth-building power of the Internet

through social media and other unique

wealth-building tools. We teach people

how to start their own businesses

online, with minimal capital outlay, and

how to market themselves online too.

Today I’m online almost seven days a

week. I talk to several different groups

on BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), and I

also maintain Facebook, Twitter, Google

+, LinkedIn and other social media

accounts. They keep me very busy,

because I respond to every ‘beep’ and

‘ping’, but I do set aside time to spend

with my girls, Trya, 13, and Simonea,

7. In the afternoons I get to watch my

girls play sports, and I just take my

office with me – my

trusty laptop and 3G

connection. Everyday

feels like a Friday! I still

have meetings with

clients, but I schedule

these for when my girls

are at school, so I can

dedicate my afternoons to them.

‘We have an amazing life together;

it’s definitely changed for the better. I

have a very different perspective from

where I was three years ago – stuck in a

failing business and living in fear. Today

I’m free. I like living in the 21st century

and enjoy making a living teaching and

sharing my knowledge. This is what I

was born to do and I love it!’

‘I LIKE LIVING IN

THE 21ST CENTURY!’Over three years ago, Joburg mom

Lucille Vicars, 39, and her husband

Justin, 38, lost their business.

Instead of leaping like lemmings

back onto the corporate treadmill,

she looked elsewhere to make a

living. Now, every day feels like a

Friday!

‘I lost a R3.8millon-business overnight.

It was a partnership that soured, and

in the end I lost my successful decor

business. My clients, some of whom

I’d retained for over eight years,

jumped ship because my embattled

business couldn’t offer them reliable

service anymore. My entire world came

crashing down and I felt worthless. But

I got up and dusted myself off – you

have to when you have two daughters

who need supporting, and Justin

and I started brainstorming.

We decided that if we

were going to plough all

of our effort into growing

another business, this time

we were going to focus on

making ourselves successful

and rich, without working

our fingers to the bone. I

wanted to spend time with

my beautiful daughters, enjoy

breakfasts, lunches and

dinners together as a family.

‘We knew we needed to

think differently, so we began

looking for ways to make

money online. I watched a

web clip on online marketing

– and I sat back and had a

light-bulb moment. I even

remember saying to Justin:

“This is what I was born to do.

I know I can do this!” Because

people’s attitudes towards me. It’s

almost as though the “lighter” Vatiswa

is more acceptable to society. In the

past, people looked past me; they just

saw a fat woman with nothing to offer.

We all have our individual issues –

obviously, weight was mine.

On an intellectual level I know I’ve

lost weight and look different. When

I step onto a scale I see I’ve lost

weight. But it still has to sink in on an

emotional level. I’m not yet used to the

idea I can buy smaller sizes and have

more choice in what to wear.

‘I feel lighter, have more energy, and

generally feel a lot more positive about

myself! My son, Sivato, 20, also sees

the change in me. He’s so happy for

me. I suppose every child just wants

to see their parents happy. In the past

I made excuses, but now I’m thrilled

to admit I’m no longer living in denial.

‘

‘

We have an amazing life together; it’s

definitely changed for the better...

To find Lucille on Facebook,

search for ‘Lucille Divine’. And

she goes by @LucilleDivine on

Twitter. Or visit her website: www.

intelligentwealthsolutions.com

24 your family January 2012

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real people