Blog / Prospecting
Sadhana Smiles, Harcourts own named business woman of the year
CEO of harcourts Victoria, Sadhana Smiles was recently named the Telstra Victorian Business Woman of the Year.
Sadhana started with Harcourts in 2011 and manages to balance being a top business woman, whilst being a single Mum to her own children and seven adopted children, working with her foundation, and publishing a book.
Sadhana joined Harcourts as she felt the company’s values were closely in line with what she believed in. “I had met Mike only a few times prior to my interview but people in the industry had great respect for him and Paul, I presented at the May 2011 conference and really connected with a number of people,” Sadhana said.
Sadhana explained that there were three things that had helped lead to her success, these included getting a coach to help her focus and harness the drive and energy to be successful, writing out yearly goals and affirmation statements and putting them on the shower wall, and learning to ask for what she wanted. “I learned to ask for what I want, women don’t do this very well, we wait until an offer is made to us. I also learned to take risks and put myself forward for things that I may not be quite ready to do,” Sadhana said.
When asked what motivated her, Sadhana explained that she worked hard to support her children so she would be able to provide them with opportunities that did not exist for her. She explained that she wanted to leave the world as a better place for her children and the women she supports in Fiji, and to be able to show that workplace gender balance is possible. Sadhana said, “I keep pushing. I grew up in an environment where women were not seen as equal, so as a little girl I had a burn in my belly to be successful. Not many people know this, but my Grandfather was a slave from the age of six. I believe that somehow genetically I have inherited his persistence and determination.”
As well as supporting her own children, Sadhana “adopted” seven Fijian children who were left as orphans when their Mother passed on six years ago. Sadhana aims to go over to Fiji at least three times a year to catch up with her children. “There is always lots of hugs, I call and talk to them every Sunday to catch up on their week. For their mum, two things were important; education and keeping them together. So that’s what I aim to achieve,” Sadhana said.
When not spending time with her adopted children in Fiji, Sadhana is doing work for the foundation Links Fiji which she founded in the year 2000. The foundation works to improve people’s health via education and medical assistance.
Sadhana believes that poverty is not just about a lack of money, rather it is to do with poor education and health, a lack of opportunities and socio-economic disadvantages. “I do it because I have the ability to make a difference. Cervical and breast cancer is prevalent in Fiji, as well as diabetes and high blood pressure being at epidemic proportions. So our work helps save lives. In the 10 years we have been doing this, we have not lost a single woman to cervical cancer,” Sadhana said. In addition to Links Fiji, Sadhana also runs a program through the local hospitals called Blue Sky Magic. This program sends children who are dying of cancer and their families away for a five star hotel experience.
Sadhana has also found the time to publish a book called People Power. Her book gives insight on how to recruit properly and learning how to manage, engage and coach employees for maximum performance. For those interested in purchasing the book, please contact Sadhana directly.
On behalf of Team Harcourts, Congratulations for receiving a well-deserved award!
← Go back
