#WIB – Q&A With Yvette Glass Managing Director Of Evac+Chair®
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
Evac+Chair® was first manufactured in the USA in 1983, driven by the need of the inventor to get his wife, who suffered from polio, out of her place of work in an emergency situation. She had previously been left in the building during fire drills and this led to the development of Evac+Chair.
Evac+Chair South Africa is a company that I co-own with my partner and husband Gavin Glass. We manufacture evacuation chairs to help people with disabilities or that are vulnerable to evacuate safely through stairs in an emergency. We have been manufacturing the Evac+Chair® range of products since 2004, under a licence from Evac+Chair United Kingdom and we are the only manufacturer of the Evac+Chair® in the Southern Hemisphere.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
I acquired the business in 2020 together with my husband, after assisting the previous owner for a number of years, on the financial aspects of the business. Having a partially disabled husband and seeing his frustration, regarding the lack of solutions allowing him to exit a building, even during load shedding. I shudder to think how we would have dealt with an emergency. Making the decision after that was easy!
3. What is your role in the business?
As the sole shareholder and Managing Director, I am hands on in all aspects of the business. My belief is you need to be well versed in every part of business for it to be successful, including being personally involved in the manufacturing of our products.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
I started my finance degree at UNISA but sadly never completed it. I have been very fortunate during my working career to have been mentored by the most incredible people who saw my work ethic, passion and commitment. This afforded me the opportunity to advance in my career. I would still have liked to finish my degree but life stepped in the way.
5. How did you finance your business?
We managed to negotiate with the previous owner to repay the acquisition amount over 3 years. This means that through the profit that we are making from the business, we are funding the business.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
With both my husband and I being actively involved in the business, life is the business. From the moment we wake up it is full steam ahead. I try to plan the day but soon realised this was not working for me. However, my average workday includes reaching out to potential clients who might be interested in purchasing our products, following up on clients that have the chair but require us to service it and in general making sure that our deliverables are on track.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
The secret to this is being disciplined and routined. I also think working with my husband (who is my best friend) makes life easier in both the work and home environment.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
I am exceptionally proud of our Evac+Chair® products, making me determined to ensure the chair is available in every building, providing peace of mind to people knowing they have the ability to exit either in an emergency or during load shedding. I gain inspiration from encounters with all people.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
Normally when in conversation with my husband before and after work.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
We have a great PR and Marketing Team, TR Brand Communications & Events that assist us in marketing our company, as well as on our website.
11. What is next for your business?
Getting Government to Legislate the requirements for Evacuation chairs in all multi-storeyed buildings (Commercial and Residential) is what we are hoping to achieve as a business.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
Believe in yourself, your abilities and never be afraid to take a chance. Hard work, commitment, honesty and a good work ethic leads to success.
Yvette Glass Bio
Yvette Glass, is a co-owner and managing director of Evac+Chair South Africa. Yvette has extensive experience in the financial and tax fields that she gained through working in numerous auditing and accounting practices. She worked in the investment banking space for a while before co-owning Evac+Chair South Africa alongside her husband and business partner, Gavin Glass and getting involved in manufacturing evacuation chairs. Besides being a businesswoman, Yvette loves reading, being a homebody, and is more focused on ensuring the safety of people with mobility impairments, as they require solutions that work for them.
Social Media
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/yvette.glass.19/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/yvette.glass.9
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvette-glass-bbb6091b6/
Contact Information
| OFFICE: +27 11 902-7573 CELL: +27 60 837 9399 |
| EMAIL: yvette@evac-chair.co.za WEB: www.evac-chair.co.za |