Ana Roberts

Ana Roberts currently owns and manages two real estate companies under the Just Property brand, part of a national franchise network. Ana owns the branches in Upper Highway and Umhlanga. The business primarily focuses on property rentals and sales.

Ana has carved a niche for herself by adopting innovative approaches, particularly in marketing and sales strategies. “I don’t have a traditional background in real estate,” Ana admits. “That’s why we do things differently. Our show houses aren’t like the typical ones you see, and we market properties in a way that stands out from the rest.”

On the rental side, Ana’s company offers two services. “We either help landlords procure tenants, or we take full responsibility for managing the property from maintenance to rental payments as if we were the landlord,” she explains. “This aspect of the business has become a massive part of what we do.”

A Drive for Success
Ana’s journey to real estate ownership is an inspiring one, marked by a drive for success. Born in Mozambique, Ana moved to South Africa at the age of eight. “I didn’t speak any English when I arrived,” she recalls. “It was quite a challenge, but I’ve always considered myself a Durbanite since I grew up there.”

She studied at the University of Natal, setting her sights on becoming an accountant. “But I quickly realised that people, innovation, and marketing were a lot more fun,” she laughs. “So, I majored in industrial psychology and marketing, which eventually led me into human resources (HR).”

For over 27 years, Ana worked in corporate HR, with the majority of her time spent in one organisation. “Although I stayed with one company, I probably changed roles every three to four years, which offered incredible growth opportunities and learning development.” In addition, Ana worked under leaders who inspired her. “One in particular was the most incredible leader who showed me that anything was possible.”

By the time she left, Ana had reached the position of HR director, navigating the high-pressure world of corporate leadership. “It was an environment that taught me a huge amount,” she says, “but at 54, I decided it was time to find some balance in my life.”

Fast-Paced Approach
In January 2020, just before the chaos of Covid-19, Ana made the leap into real estate. “I had zero experience,” she admits. “The only real estate experience I had was buying two homes in my lifetime!” However, Ana saw an opportunity to pivot and learn something new. “Lockdown turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I spent 40 to 50 hours a week doing webinars, training, and absorbing as much as I could about real estate.”

By the time lockdown restrictions eased, Ana had acquired a theoretical understanding of the real estate industry. Within two years, by 2022, she had qualified as a principal, a process that normally takes people five to nine years, which reflects her fast-paced approach to life and work. “I don’t have a pause button,” she says. “We just go fast all the time.”

Ana’s leadership approach has impacted on both her business and her team. For Ana, the true impact isn’t just the business success but the transformation, through training and coaching, she’s witnessed in her employees many of whom, like her, had no prior experience in real estate. “The biggest achievement has been seeing people grow and achieve amazing things in their lives,” she reflects. “One of my team members, who previously sold fudge, earned over R1.2 million in commission in her first year. Another, who spent 47 years in shipping, became the Rookie of the Year in his first year in real estate.”

Three Key Values
Ana attributes much of her success to the values she

has instilled in her business. “We run our business based on three key values: integrity, innovation, and excellence,” she shares. “Doing the right thing is non- negotiable. We don’t compromise on our values, even if it means walking away from a deal that could bring in money.” Innovation is another driving force behind her success. “We’re constantly looking at how we can be 1% better than yesterday,” she explains. “Even if we only improve once a week, by the end of the year, we’ve made significant progress.” Excellence, Ana believes, is the third pillar of her business philosophy. “You have to aim to be brilliant at everything you do. If you’re aiming to come second, you’re not aiming high enough.”

Despite her many achievements, Ana admits that her greatest challenge has been herself. “I’m ridiculously driven,” she says.

Ana added that her biggest dream has had two components. One is to be completely self-sufficient. “Although I have an incredible husband, I always wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet and achieve both financially as well as from a goals’ perspective. The second was to ensure that my kids looked up to me as a role model, so doing the right things to get the right results. I want to leave a legacy that I can be proud of, not just in business, but in every aspect of my life.”

For a young woman aiming to achieve similarly, Ana advises focusing on your goals and pursuing them relentlessly. Believe in yourself and be prepared to invest the necessary time and effort to reach where you want to be. A strong work ethic is essential, and most importantly, never compromise your values.

While her drive has led to business success, Ana acknowledges that finding balance remains a challenge. “For me, the challenges in business are opportunities, but balancing my personal life is harder.” Looking ahead, Ana’s goal is to establish a stronger management structure within her businesses to allow her more personal time with her family, a source of grounding and joy for her. “I’ve got an amazing life,” she concludes.