Tessa Woodley, mother of three, has been the Ballito Lifestyle Centre Marketing Manager for 16 years. Juggling her career and motherhood, Tessa has played an integral role in the centre’s phenomenal growth and transition from a big brand shopping centre to an experiential destination.

Marketing Manager Tessa Woodley is a familiar face at Ballito Lifestyle Centre. Often seen throughout the centre chatting with tenants, checking in with musicians or catching up with customers, she wears many hats – and does so with quiet confidence.

Having worked at the centre for more than 16 years – and like many dedicated moms – Tessa juggles her career and motherhood with humility and strength.

Growing up on a farm outside Johannesburg, Tessa spent much of her childhood in the countryside and on horseback. After school, and while studying for a BA degree, she travelled to Europe where she tried her hand at everything, from working as a waitress in Greece to pruning on farms, working in pubs and doing care work.

During a stint at an advertising agency in London’s Covent Garden, Tessa discovered the marketing industry and was captivated by its creativity and diversity.

When she returned to South Africa, Tessa worked as a project coordinator for a consulting company for 6 years. Wanting to move out of the corporate world to start a family, she studied reflexology and meridian therapy in the evenings and later opened a small practice in Johannesburg and serviced corporate wellness centres.

In 2006, when her sons, Julian (now 23) and Jake (now 20), were four and one years old respectively, Tessa and her family left the Joburg ‘rat race’ and moved to the KZN North Coast. “We had always loved Ballito and the lifestyle it offered. The boys settled quickly, and we made some wonderful friends.”

In 2008, Tessa had her daughter, Emma. Five months later, she was offered a half-day position as a marketing assistant at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre.

It soon became a full time role, and Tessa was appointed as the Ballito Lifestyle Centre Marketing Manager in 2010. “It has been so exciting to be part of the centre’s evolution from growing into a large, local shopping centre to then reinventing itself to become the dining, shopping and entertainment hub it is today.”

As the centre has changed over the years, so has Tessa’s role, which now also includes managing the live music at The Market and Eat Street. “I love that we can provide new artists with a platform and space to showcase their incredible talent.” She has also enjoyed seeing local tenants start small and become hugely successful businesses, which are fundamental to the centre’s offering.

While it hasn’t always been easy being a working mom, Tessa says she has had wonderful support and flexibility from the management team and her colleagues.

Although her role is demanding and busy, she loves the diversity it offers. “No two days are the same. I work with many people and have established great relationships with everyone, from those who work on the ground, to the tenants, the customers and top-tier management. Everyone has unique needs, but that keeps it interesting. I could never get bored in this role,” she laughs.

Life is less of a juggle now that her children are older, but Tessa believes they have gained a lot from seeing their mom work hard. “It made them more independent from an early age, and very disciplined. We are a very close-knit unit and have learned to make the best of the moments shared. They are all so resilient and strong and make me incredibly proud.”

As Lifestyle Centre and the North Coast continue to grow and evolve, Tessa says she is excited to keep learning, growing and adapting. “The Ballito Lifestyle Centre team has become like a second family to me over the past 16 years, and I am excited for what the future holds.