Karen Howard

Karen Howard founded ASI KZN in December 2023. She explained, “It’s in the financial services sector, where I work as a specialist healthcare consultant. However, she says first and foremost, she is a mum to three children, consisting of a 29-year-old son teaching in Hong Kong and two daughters aged 23 and 21.

Raised in East London on the Wild Coast, Karen fondly recalls, “It’s the most beautiful place in the world, my therapy. My sister still lives there, so we visit as often as we can.” Her career took her from East London to Johannesburg, where she studied, ventured into marketing, and then zigzagged between education and corporate roles.

Karen joined the first Montessori primary school in the country, but when the school faced financial difficulties, she joined the corporate world. Karen’s teaching experience led her to a role with a medical scheme administrator, where she initially looked after corporate clients. She then moved to another medical scheme and was eventually headhunted by a financial services company. “I absolutely hated it,” she admits. “I started my own company because I felt there were gaps in the services provided. The executives were being catered for, but nobody was helping the people on the shop floor, who were left to figure everything out on their own.”

Her path to entrepreneurship was not without challenges. “I’ve made some fundamentally terrible business decisions along the way,” Karen confesses, “but I’ve learned from them. It’s cost a small fortune, but that’s how you grow. I was fortunate to meet ASI Financial Services about two years ago, and we joined forces. I became the first female partner at ASI, but I certainly won’t be the last.”

Navigating Medical Aids
ASI KZN specialises in healthcare consulting. “We assist members by sitting down with them to choose the right option for their medical needs and financial situations,” Karen explains. “Medical schemes can be complex, with options such as income-based plans, hospital plans,

and new-generation products that come with savings accounts, thresholds, and above-threshold benefits. Most people don’t fully understand how these plans work and often end up on the most expensive option for years, which is a complete waste of money.”

Her personal experiences have profoundly shaped her professional approach. “I learned the hard way when my daughter was born with an undiagnosed birth defect; congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH),” she shares. “She was rushed into ICU and required life-saving surgery. It was a challenging time, but it made me a more compassionate consultant. I can look people in the eye and say, ‘You never know what’s around the corner. You could face a serious illness or a major accident, so make sure you’re covered for the unexpected as best you can.’ I’m blessed to have my daughter, and she’s a constant reminder of the importance of having the right medical cover.”

Karen shared how a woman named Dawn Ireland had been a significant source of motivation for her. Dawn founded Cherubs, a support group for parents of children with CDH, after losing her own son to the condition. Despite this loss, she has dedicated her life to raising funds for research and training doctors worldwide on how to care for CDH babies.

Karen admires Dawn’s resilience, saying, “When you’re put in a really difficult position, you have two choices: sink or swim. Like her, I’ve chosen to swim—and I put my heart into it.”

Challenges and Triumphs
Running a business has not been easy. “I’ve gone into business in all the wrong ways, been far too trusting, and partnered with the wrong people, without performing due diligence or protecting myself legally,” Karen admits. “I receive great support from two remarkable women, Nicole Raats and Patricia Nzimande, who have been invaluable.”

ASI KZN’s services and partnerships extend beyond medical aid to include financial planning, employee benefits, wealth creation, short-term insurance and even non-financial services such as fibre solutions and solar power. “We’re not just another financial services company,”

Karen asserts. “Most firms in this industry treat you as a number, but we genuinely care. I’ve had clients call me at all hours, sometimes in the middle of the night, because they need urgent help.”

Karen is determined to use her platform to create opportunities. “We’re actively seeking interns and mentor young people to grow within the business. Our company has been a leader in promoting diversity, being the first black economic empowered financial services company in the country. We’re a family, and it doesn’t matter where you come from or what language you speak. We’re all working together for the benefit of our members.”

Her passion extends to helping other women achieve financial independence. “I’ve been a single mum for 14 years without any external support, I’ve had no choice but to make it work. It’s crucial for women, particularly those who have gone through divorce, to build wealth and move forward with dignity and confidence,” she says. “Our company’s motto is ‘Build Wealth and Change Lives’, and I want to ensure that motto resonates with women who have faced adversity.”

Karen’s future goals are clear: “I want to grow ASI KZN to become the leading financial services company in KwaZulu-Natal.”

Living the Dream
Reflecting on her journey, Karen says, “For young women following my path, I’d say, find a mentor. It’s much better to learn from someone else’s experiences than your own mistakes. You also need grit and determination to succeed in business, especially as a woman. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, never stop learning and always maintain your financial independence.”

For Karen, life is not all about work. “It’s important to find balance, especially in the corporate world, where the pressure can be intense,” she explains. “If you don’t take time for yourself, it will affect your health.” She enjoys painting, riding horses, and supporting her children’s sporting activities. “I’m a country girl at heart,” she says. “We live in the countryside, and a walk in nature always recharges my soul.”