Her Magazine

Her Magazine April/May 2013

Her Magazine is New Zealand’s only women’s business lifestyle magazine! Her Magazine highlights the achievements of successful and rising New Zealand businesswomen. Her Magazine encourages a healthy work/life balance.

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In that way it makes us more powerful because we have this vast network of advisors and experts who donate their time. However, this also weakens us slightly because they are so busy and we often have to wait a few months until we can get what we need. As people come to me with offers to help I ask what do you love doing? My strategy for the charity was to do what I'm good at which is vision, strategy, passion, networking, loving and knowing people. I then surround myself with other people who are skilled in their areas and we work together to form a team that will change the course of history. what do you love doing? I was invited to a business breakfast and met the owner of a company who has offered to design our new website for free. Since then he has offered to do fundraising for Global Angels. He has organised for the Red Devils, an England-based stunt company to launch a campaign where 20 people, for 1000 pounds each can skydive with the Red Devils. All proceeds will go to Global Angels. When you involve yourself with charity work you need to do things that come naturally to you and give back in that area. Because everyone is so busy it needs to be fun. The making of a legend... Like Molly Bedingfield, Sophie Mubvumbi Jayawardene, an immigrant from Zimbabwe has dedicated herself to making significant change for good. Sophie's story began when she moved to New Zealand with her husband and two children in 1988. A year later, when she fell pregnant again with twins, it was discovered that the expectant mother had contracted the HIV virus (it is believed from a blood transfusion or contaminated needle). Under doctor's advice Sophie aborted her unborn children to save them from lives crippled by the virus. Her decision and the virus that was killing her was kept a secret… a secret that would eventually end her marriage. It wasn't until years later when she became seriously sick and close to death that she finally revealed her condition to her children. This gave her strength to finally open up about her condition and Sophie was overwhelmed with the amount of support she received. Her experiences inspired her to write a book about her journey and start her own not-for-profit organisation. 0800 IS NOT A CURE has been formally endorsed by Body Positive and aims to create awareness and support for people living with HIV. "I found something that I was passionate about; something that is a part of my life and that strongly influences who I am. This enables me to be inspired to make it work even when I face obstacles." When taking on a project of such magnitude, Sophie says "it's normal to leave planning stages for a couple of weeks before getting another burst of energy and firing off to work again". Sophie also agrees that networking is a highly valuable tool for her. She has strong involvement in the community and is a member of Mount Roskill Lioness Club. Sophie's journey has moulded her into an amazing mother, businesswoman, member of the community and leader. This woman is one to watch! www.sophiesworldthejourneys.com www.h e rmagaz in e .co.n z | 13

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