Janice Chetty: A Journey of Purpose, Perseverance, and Empowerment

Early Ambitions and Foundations

Janice Chetty has always been motivated by a strong sense of purpose and an unwavering belief in self-determination. She fondly recalls a childhood memory: “When I was six years old, I was playing Monopoly outside, throwing the money in the air, and saying, ‘I’m going to be my own boss,’” she laughs. “My dad still has that video. That dream never left me.” This early declaration set the tone for her life. Today, Janice is the owner of Dynamic Outlook, a training and recruitment agency, and the founder of Billing for Doctors, a medical billing company. She also leads Miriam’s Mission, a non-profit organisation established in honour of her grandmother, with a focus on empowering young people through skills development.

Commitment to Helping Others

Janice’s journey has always been guided by her passion for uplifting others. “I have always believed that if you have a skill, you must share it,” she says. As both an accountant and a qualified teacher, Janice has been able to combine her love of numbers with her dedication to teaching. This unique blend of skills and passions inspired her to create the Futurepreneur programme, which aims to equip children with essential business and entrepreneurship skills. “When I was studying my postgraduate teaching qualification, my research showed there was a major gap in practical skills for young people,” she explains. “If you teach a child entrepreneurship, they can start a business, hire others, and that creates employment. It helps grow the economy.”

The Futurepreneur programme adapts to different age groups. Older students learn about budgeting and cash flow, while younger children are introduced to business concepts through interactive games. “I wanted it to be fun and engaging,” Janice adds. “It’s not just about teaching numbers. It’s about planting seeds of confidence and possibility.”

From Redundancy to Reinvention

Janice’s entrepreneurial journey took a decisive turn in 2021. After being retrenched during the Covid pandemic, she chose to see this setback as an opportunity for a fresh start. “I took my Provident Fund and unemployment money and started my recruitment agency from my bedroom. People told me I was crazy,” she admits. “But I told myself, I’m going to do this.” Armed only with a notebook full of numbers, Janice began cold calling companies and sending emails. Her determination paid off: within a year, Dynamic Outlook had earned a respected reputation in logistics and manufacturing recruitment and had secured national clients. “When I first started calling big companies, I had to prove myself. I would say, give me one chance, let me place one person, and you’ll see what I can do. And it worked.”

Her story soon garnered media attention. “In 2022, I appeared in the press for the first time,” she says proudly. “A public relations consultant promoted my journey, and soon after, I was invited to be a judge at the Women of Substance Awards. I couldn’t believe it, I thought I’d be nominated, not judging!” In November 2023, Janice was featured on the cover of Get It Umhlanga Ballito magazine—a moment she regards with pride. “That was another proud moment,” she says. “It showed me that people were recognising the hard work and purpose behind what I do.”

A Life of Purpose and Perseverance

For Janice, true success is measured not solely by profit but by purpose. “My purpose is to serve,” she asserts. “Even as a leader, I believe in serving my team. A good leader uplifts others.” Through Miriam’s Mission, Janice leverages her business network to make a tangible difference in her community. “One of my clients manufactures school shoes, and I got them to donate hundreds of pairs to underprivileged schools,” she explains. She has also taught basic computer skills in Phoenix schools and arranged for clients to donate old computers and stationery.

Her personal brand, Lady of Purpose, was born from her commitment to balancing business and philanthropy. She shares, “Before I got retrenched, I used to tell my colleagues, I’ll be a lady of leisure with a purpose. But after Covid, I realised life is about using what God has blessed you with to serve others.”

Janice’s journey has not been without its challenges. “When you start a business from scratch, there will always be negativity around you,” she reflects. “But I learned that if you believe in yourself, you can prove people wrong.”

Her persistence is evident in her latest venture, Billing for Doctors, a medical billing company she founded last year. “It’s a different industry, and getting clients is harder. It took me a full year to sign my first client, but now I have six. The key is consistency and persistence.” Janice is firm in her belief that self-confidence is vital: “When you walk into a room, people can sense if you doubt yourself. Confidence opens doors.”

As a woman in business, Janice acknowledges the reality of gender bias. “Sometimes men don’t take you seriously,” she notes. “But women work just as hard and achieve just as much. I’ve learned to stand firm and show that capability is not defined by gender.” She advises other women to create vision boards and embrace manifestation: “If you can see it in your mind, you can hold it in your hand. Consistency, vision, and belief will take you where you need to go.”

Finding Balance and Strength

Despite her various business and community commitments, Janice remains dedicated to maintaining balance and well-being. “Last year, I started an exercise journey,” she says. “I hired a personal trainer, joined a gym, and changed my lifestyle. Now I train four times a week and plan to enter the High Rocks Challenge next year.” She also finds solace in nature: “The beach is my happy place,” Janice shares. “Walking along the promenade clears my mind. That’s where I find my balance.”

Through all her endeavours, Janice stays grounded by her sense of purpose. “Everything I do—business, teaching, community work—all ties back to one thing: purpose,” she says. “My journey has taught me that success is not just about what you achieve, but how you use those achievements to uplift others.”