Svetlana is Latvian born, Russian raised and educated then handpicked New Zealand as a lifestyle opportunity. She owns Safe n Sure, a personal Risk Management business that deals with all insurance types as well as specialising in KiwiSaver and Mortgages. As a member of the Silverdale Rotary Club, joining another Club in Dunedin was a no-brainer when she chose to move to Dunedin to be closer to her daughter studying at Otago University.
Svetlana is Latvian born, Russian raised and educated then handpicked New Zealand as a lifestyle opportunity. She owns Safe n Sure, a personal Risk Management business that deals with all insurance types as well as specialising in KiwiSaver and Mortgages. As a member of the Silverdale Rotary Club, joining another Club in Dunedin was a no-brainer when she chose to move to Dunedin to be closer to her daughter studying at Otago University. As Stephen pointed out, did we check Svetlana’s credentials for connections to international espionage??
Svetlana is a savvy businesswoman that has made some tough decisions in pivotal moments based on looking forward, believing doors will open then bravely stepping into the unknown. Winston Churchill is quoted as saying “An optimist sees an opportunity in every calamity; a pessimist sees a calamity in every opportunity.” For Svetlana, this mantra is a true core belief that has never let her down. Every hardship comes with a path to choose. “How you embrace the road before you is up to you.” Svetlana may have been inspired by the words of a great man; we should be inspired by how she has chosen to live these words.
Born in Latvia when it was a part of the Soviet Union, Svetlana moved to Orenburg in the first year of her life. A place where Summer and Winter temperatures range between 40 degrees to 40 below!! Living with her Aunty and 7 cousins, she had a happy childhood raised with strong values and a positive emphasis on education. Maths was her subject along with a passion for History (I see a few wines together with Svetlana discussing our mutual love of history, let’s make a date.) Other interests were Chess, Drama, sports, tramping and camping…hopefully not in winter. The burgeoning computer industry in the 1980s felt like a world of possibility so it was off to University in Moscow to achieve this dream and lay the foundation of a career graduating with a Masters in Computer Science. In 1988 her homeland Latvia held more career opportunities. Here she worked with microchips and microprocessors for a Company with ‘possible’ Military undertones. In 1991 the world as Svetlana knew it, changed. Latvia regained independence from the USSR but not without bloodshed, the Berlin wall came down, the Iron Curtain was lifted, the mighty Soviet Union collapsed, and the cold war ended.
Self-belief and rising to the challenge in the face of adversity, a positive answer to one interview question turned into 7 years working for a big International Company in Latvia. A chance conversation with an Air Stewardess friend planted the seed, curiosity won over caution and Svetlana turned her attention to moving to New Zealand. The question was not why it was why not? For all she knew about NZ, we still had cannibalism. This myth was not allayed when an unexpected Haka was performed on a boat in the Auckland Harbour. Svetlana must have wondered exactly what her dinner invitation meant!! Aside from this, Svetlana loved NZ and once again took that leap into the unknown and applied for residency. A Computer Degree...residency granted 5 months later; one can hear the jealous groans.
Happiness followed, Svetlana met and married a Dunedin man and together they raised a daughter in Mapua, Nelson integrating themselves into the community. Sadly, Cancer reared its head and once again Svetlana had to find the optimistic opportunity in the face of extreme calamity. A single parent to an 8½-year-old, a desire to provide the best possible life for her, the sole breadwinner and a loophole in Insurance saw them both head back to Auckland. Svetlana set up Safe n Sure to ensure peace of mind for loved ones left behind. Driven by a desire to share her knowledge and help others, she was supported by another Company as she undertook another year of study. Svetlana built her business from the ground up so now 12 years on she could move to Dunedin, business intact, to support her daughter.
Now she is quietly establishing herself here, becoming part of the community so she can help others. She is happy here in Dunedin, taking time to have fun, enjoying music, perhaps learning a 3rd language and looking forward to exploring the South Island on road trips. I am sure we can all help her out here with great ideas and inside knowledge of the less beaten tourist paths to discover.