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Inspired by<br />
GROWTH<br />
Everyone knows the feeling. That knot in your tummy when you’re dropped off at<br />
school. Louise Schoonwinkel gets it. That’s why she’s the powerhouse behind a brand<br />
that lets kids study at their own pace, wherever and whenever they want.<br />
Text: ALANICKA LOTRIET. • Photographer: HILDA MANS. • Make-up: HEIDIE FOURIE. • Hair: JANINE LATEGAN.<br />
A self-proclaimed numbers-nerd,<br />
Louise Schoonwinkel loves crunching<br />
numbers and solving equations.<br />
But, don’t think she’s just wired for<br />
numbers - she’s all about the people<br />
too! Back in her days as a CA, she<br />
discovered her knack for coaching<br />
and guiding younger trainees.<br />
Since then, she’s always found herself<br />
in roles focused on training and<br />
development. There’s just something<br />
about empowering others and<br />
watching them thrive that keeps her<br />
hooked. So, when Louise was asked<br />
to project manage the development<br />
an online learning system for Optimi<br />
a few years back, she jumped right in<br />
and hasn’t looked back since.<br />
These days, she’s the MD of Optimi<br />
Home in Centurion - right in the<br />
heart of learning and development.<br />
They offer homeschooling and online<br />
schooling to more than<br />
30 000 learners in SA and beyond,<br />
from Grade R up to matric.<br />
“Not only is it such a rewarding<br />
career in the sense that we get to<br />
make a real difference in so many<br />
young lives, but no two days are ever<br />
the same. From strategy sessions<br />
and client meetings to stakeholder<br />
management and product<br />
development. I just love working<br />
with so many different people<br />
and motivating teams to reach<br />
audacious goals.”<br />
Why homeschooling? you might<br />
wonder. Louise explains it’s all about<br />
flexibility and personalised attention.<br />
12 Get It Magazine <strong>March</strong> <strong>24</strong>