Meet Krystal Kolnik, working mom of 2 and proud supporter and resident of the valley. This month’s SPM Mom of the Month, she believes in living with honesty and integrity. Find out more about Krystal.
Do you have a business? If yes, what is it about?
I don’t have my own business, but I am part of a very prominent and well known family business in the Deep South, Jawitz properties , my father Harold Kolnik is the principle.
How did it start?
I started working in Property 17 years ago. I visited my father at work one day and spontaneously he introduced me to his principle at that time saying, “Krystal I would like to introduce you to your new boss!” It seemed like a good idea at the time and the rest, as they say, is history.
If your day job is your family – tell us more about what you do with them?
My day job is not only my family, but it does integrate very well with Family Life. After the kids get dropped off at school, I am able to go to the office or attend to early morning appointments. I can do all my daily calls, canvassing etc. I am then able to fetch the kids in the afternoon and enjoy lunch with them at home. I then do any afternoon and evening appointments without the motherly guilt of feeling that I have not seen my kids for the entire day. The flexibility of my job makes it the perfect career to still see that my kids get to all their extramural activities. I do always have an Au Pair on standby just in case I can’t attend to all the lifts, and my dear husband Kiko helps out a lot, especially with the morning school run.
Why do you live in the deep South?
I am born, bred and raised in the Deep South. Barring a few years that we moved to the Southern Suburbs to get closer to the Waldorf School in Constantia which my siblings and I attended, we have always lived on this side of the world. I moved to Kenilworth in my early twenties to find my independence. That lasted a year or two. I then ventured out a little further and did some good old overseas travel. When I was ready to start a family I found myself gravitating back in the South. My immediate family all lived in the valley and therefore, it was an obvious choice.
How many children do you have and how would they describe you?
I have two daughters. My girls are everything to me. I am happily remarried to the most amazing man in the world Kiko! My children are where I find my motivation to keep selling homes in tough markets and getting out of bed some mornings when I have no prospects on the go. My eldest daughter Layla, who is 12, is very forgiving towards me even though she is a “prenager”. She thinks I’m a pretty cool mom although she is always teasing me and accusing me of laughing at my own jokes, which I vehemently deny. Kiera, my younger daughter, jokes about being my assistant and an agent-in-training. She often attends show houses with me and is learning the ropes at a fast rate. She is only nine but doing well in this tough industry – I think she has me wrapped around her finger, and she knows it. She can rope me into playing Sylvanian families with her pretty regularly for hours (if the truth be told, I probably enjoy playing with them more than Kiera does!).
What is your favourite thing to do with your kids in the deep South?
We spend a lot of time visiting cousins and Grandparents on weekends as they all live close by. As far as outings go, our favourite spots to eat out are The Green Room in Kommetjie and The Hub in Scarborough.
What is the best advice you ever received from your mother?
The best advice I have got from my mom is to always be honest and tell the truth. Living with honesty and integrity is definitely the only way to be. Everything takes care of itself if that is the base point from which you live your life.
How does the community benefit from your involvement in it?
I am passionate about this area and really believe in the lifestyle that the Valley has to offer. When I interact with potential buyers coming to the area, I pride myself in being able to offer information on schools, pending developments, changes in the area and anything else a newcomer would need to know to make an informed decision. I am a very proud member of our community and love spreading the word of what a great Valley we live in!!!