Jenna Venter
Category Get It Magazine - Feb 2011
Get It Magazine - Jenna Venter
Jenna Venter (ne Worlock) - widely known for winning the title of the World’s Fittest Woman - has become a familiar athletic figure running, surfing and paddling along our beautiful coastline since she moved to Ballito 5 years ago. And this dynamic woman just keeps moving - not only in the world of sport but more recently in business, making some serious waves in the field of commercial property.
When Jenna first arrived in the area she was straddling the world of professional sport - competing in the world marathon champs in 2006 - while beginning her property career at Palm Lake Estates in marketing and sales
Juggling training, ‘keeping sponsors happy’ and working a full day was no mean challenge but it did not stop Jenna making another huge commitment when she married rugby star, AJ Venter, in 2007.
“This is when my love for property really began. I love the concept of selling off plan and then watching a dream become a reality as the property comes out of the ground” she says.
She quickly moved from residential into commercial property as she recognised her leaning towards the business world of facts and figures. This year, Jenna joined Comprop, leaders in commercial property in the Ballito area, as a sales and leasing broker. “I recognised the huge potential for commercial property in the area and, although it has been a tough 4 years given the vagrancies of the market and the economy, all the signs indicate that Ballito is poised to play a pivotal role in commercial and industrial property in KZN.
As a key member of the Comprop broking team Jenna is excited about the insights she gets into almost every commercial property in Ballito. “We have 97% of all business property listings with a wide variety of properties on our books in terms of price and size.
Still very competitive by nature, she gives 100 percent effort to whatever she does. “I made the decision to stop competing professionally as my career developed but I am still very committed to exercising and take part in various events such as the Fish Canoe Marathon and the Knysna Marathon for which I am currently training.” Fitting everything into a day requires a bit of discipline, says Jenna, but if you make exercise fun it’s a lot easier. “I have been in a routine since age 5, and it’s wonderful now to vary my routine and really enjoy our beautiful environment and weather.”
She relates getting ahead in business as a woman to her sport. Time management, discipline and goal setting are as important in business as they are in sport, she says. Her advice to women is: “Keep your head down, put in the hours, know your subject matter as well or better than anyone else and your expertise will win through in the end,” adds Jenna.
And it certainly seems to be paying off for her and AJ who have just bought an acre stand in Brettenwood Estate and are looking forward to building their dream home, which they will share with their three dogs. Weekends are spent at their secret beach spot (she is not saying where) Cray fishing and braaing with friends.
Keep it simple says Jenna – “work hard, spend time with people you love, exercise a bit, eat well and enjoy our beautiful town and all it has to offer.”
Author: Kerry Osborne
