Personal Assistant, Management, Digital Marketing Graphic Designer
Resume:
Tilana Otto
PA, Office Management/Administration, Operations Assistant, Life Coach, Online Profile Management, Web Designer, Photographer, Graphic Designer, Events Co-ordinator, Entrepreneur
PROFILE
I am a passionate, creative and optimistic individual. My strongest personal attribute is my unwavering ability to turn challenges and trails into triumphs.
I have a lot to offer in a wide variety of areas and can very confidently navigate a stressful environment.
I love working with people and as a qualified Life Coach, I am well equipped to deal with many different personality types and I am passionate about relationships.
My career started off more than 25 years ago, working as a receptionist at a clinic and day hospital. Thereafter I started working as a secretary at the Power Group, became the PA to their group of Directors and later advanced to Stock Control and Operations Assistant. In the last couple of years I have qualified myself as a Life Coach and also worked as Photographer, Graphic Designer, Web Designer and Events Coordinator.
I love busy environment, filled with challenges and opportunities for creative problem solving.
Links
Instagram Personal Account - https://www.instagram.com/tilana_otto
Instagram Life Coaching Account - https://www.instagram.com/tol_coaching
Facebook Page Personal - https://www.facebook.com/tilana.otto
Examples of websites I created - https://www.drwarrenvanzyl.com, https://www.ubuntusecurity.co.za
Personal Blog – https://www.teeleeandthebluedragon.wordpress.com
Digital Marketing website – https://fine-on-line.com
Skills
Interpersonal Communication Skills
Creative Thinking Creative Writing
Creative Problem Solving
Highly Motivated
Motivational speaker
Business Operations
Secretarial and Administrative Support/Skills
Manage diaries & appointments/ schedules
Typing, Word, Excel, PowerPoint documents and presentations
Arrangements of meetings and functions, events coordinating
Manage travel arrangements
Office Management
Team Leader
Digital Photography Digital Marketing
Photoshop, Illustrator etc.
Able to manage and implement Social Media campaigns
Online Marketing Web design
Graphic Design
Languages
Afrikaans
English
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Receptionist, Admissions & Pre-Admissions, Empangeni Garden Clinic
1993 - 1995
After school I started working at Empangeni Garden Clinic as a receptionist, while completing a Secretarial and Computer Diploma.
I also did patient Admissions and Pre-Admissions at the Clinic and Day Hospital.
PA, Operations at The Power Group, Durban
1995 - 2008
I started working at the Power Group/ Otto Bros Distributors in 1995 as a secretary to the head of the clothing department. I was soon promoted to PA for all the Directors of the Group in the then Head Office in Empangeni.
From 2000, as the company grew, I started working in Operations, assisting the Operations Director with general operation of clothing stores, opening new stores, recruiting and training staff, stock control, shrinkage management etc.
In my time there the group grew from 1 clothing store to more than 50, and moved to a new DC in Durban. Today they have in excess of 150 stores. I still have business interest and property shares in the company and have learnt more from them than I can ever relay.
I worked at the company until my husband’s death in 2008, where after I became a full time mother to my son when he was diagnosed with autism.
In 2011 I moved to Gauteng in search of better, Autism specific schooling for my son. First spending a bit more than a year in JHB and thereafter settling in Pretoria in 2013.
Essential Oil Retail - Tree of Life Essentials, Pretoria
2013 - Current
During my son’s autism and special needs journey, I investigated various alternative and natural forms of healing in order to offer him a more holistic path towards both physical and emotional health.
One of the first avenues I went down was Essential Oils as medicine for both physical and emotional condition and found that this age old wisdom has a lot to offer. I battled to find quality product at an affordable price in SA and started my own brand, Tree of Life Essentials, selling oils and accessories online.
This business has been severely affected by COVID and the weakened rand, as most of my products are imported.
Life Coach at Self - Tree of Life Coaching, Pretoria
2018 - Current
After my personal journey the last 13 years I had the need to help people, to support and encourage. Life can be challenging at times, but I firmly believe those challenges are messengers, teachers and way makers that show you your calling and purpose in life.
I completed a Life Coaching course with Balance Life Coaching in Pretoria.
I still run an online Life Coaching Service.
Events Coordinator at Self - Tree of Life Events, Pretoria
2018 - Current
I have always had a passion for organising beautiful, smooth executed events. This was also a part of my responsibility with the Power Group.
While having to home school my son for a period of time, this became a welcome extra source of income as well as creative outlet.
I enjoy the planning, organizing and creativity.
I specialized in conferences, training programs, weddings, birthdays, year-end functions, product launches etc.
Digital Marketing, Web Design – Fine on Line, Pretoria
2013 - Current
When I started my online business in 2013, I did various courses regarding online marketing, website design etc. I have also always been an avid photographer and have extensive knowledge of Photoshop and other ADOBE products. I have complete various photography courses and travelled internationally to per sue this passion. This comes in very handy when doing marketing, design, websites etc.
The next natural step as someone with an entrepreneurial spirit, was to start doing this for others. I have since then been designing website, Facebook pages, logos, etc.
I currently use WIX to design and manage website, SEO, marketing campaigns, online stores etc.
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
Photography, Pretoria/Durban
2010 — 2020
I am a passionate portrait, wildlife, wedding and events photographer.
Catering, Pretoria
2013 — 2020
I have for the last couple of years done catering at various events, both big and small.
I am a passionate cook and have also competed in the 'Kokkedoor' tv show.
Flower arranging and decor, Pretoria
2013 — 2020
I have been doing flower arrangements and decor for big and small events on a part time basis for the last couple of years.
Ranging from intimate events for 20 to large corporate events for 200+ delegates.
CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES
Life Coach, Web design, Photographer, Online Marketing and Management, Event Coordinating, Pretoria
January 2016 — Present
I am in the privileged position to have been a full time mother to my son with autism the last couple of years. I am a widow and single mother.
I have moved all over South Africa to find appropriate schooling and therapy for him and eventually ended in Pretoria, where our journey led us to home schooling for a couple of years.
We have however come a long way and I am privileged to now be in a more settled position, with him in a good school and therapy program and also have the help of a full time, live-in, carer.
This frees me up to focus on myself and my career to a larger extent.
Investments have deteriorated with our current economic climate and I need to be proactive and generate more income in order to reserve saving and investments for the long term future.
I am a qualified Life Coach, focussing mostly on individuals and families living with Autism, but also on relationships in general, holistic healing, quantum lifestyle, stress management and constructive conflict.
I am a creative person who battles to sit still without a mission or inspiring endeavour.
I am always trying to improve my knowledge and skills and fortunately this has become much easier with online training. I am passionate about learning new things and always broadening my horizons.
I don’t believe in paying for services or skill I can learn or hone within myself. Knowledge is power.
I write a blog, do part time event coordinating, catering, web design, photography, graphic design, online marketing and management etc.
I love taking ideas and turning them into reality and being part of the creative process.
I am not deterred by workload or stress. I thrive under these circumstances.
EDUCATION
Matriculates, Empangeni High School, Empangeni
1989 — 1993
I matriculated from Empangeni High School in 1993 with matric exemption.
Subjects: Maths, Science, Biology, Art, Afrikaans, English
Diploma in Secretarial and Computer Services, Working World College, Empangeni
Dec 1993 – Dec 1994
Diploma in Life Coaching, Balanced Life Coaching, Pretoria
January 2017 — December 2018
OTHER SHORT COURSES
Photography, Brett Florence
2010
Aromatherapy and Essential oils, Aromahead Online
2016
Web design and online marketing, Shaw Academy Online
2019
REFERENCES
Noel Otto from Otto Bros Distributors
****.****@********.**.** · 083*******
Siloshni Vandayar from Otto Bros Distributors
********.********@********.**.** · 083*******
Tanya Gibson from Just Breathe Life Coaching
******@****.**.** · 082*******
Dr Cheryl Ferreira from UNISA
Dr Warren van Zyl from Longevity Health Solutions
********@*******.*** · 072*******
PERSONAL DETAILS
Current address
622 Rita Street,
Moreletapark,
Pretoria East, Pretoria, 0181,
South Africa,
*******@*****.***
Date / Place of birth
21 June 1975
South Africa, Port Elizabeth
Nationality
South Africa
Driving license
Yes
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