When Asha Burrows tells people that she works in the same small business as her father and husband, they look shocked.
“People are always surprised that I work so closely with my husband and father,” Burrows says, laughing.
“But we have different strengths. Dad is much more big picture and I am much more analytical.
“And (husband) Trent and I have different roles. He is the operations manager and I am the planner, but that is not to say we don’t occasionally take work home with us.”
This year marks an exciting “and daunting” career phase for Burrows.
A succession plan has been put in place and her 64-year-old father, Chris Payne, will be passing the family planning business, The Payne Group, onto his daughter.
“We feel like we own part of the business already, but this is actually financially taking ownership,” Burrows says.
“It will be hard for dad, too, I would imagine, it has been his baby for 32 years. I am under no illusion that it will be difficult for both sides.
“But we will also be doing a few new things. We are keen to streamline a few of the systems and bring in some technology that will allow us to spend more time with clients.”
Burrows is certainly well qualified to take over the reins.
She started in client administration in her father’s business close to nine years ago and worked her way up to a planning position, learning the ropes of the industry and the various roles within The Payne Group as she went.
In it for the long haul
Things fell into place for her about five years ago, when she was promoted to a planning role. Her mentor retired, and she took over her stable of clients.
“I did wonder at the time whether I could do it on my own, I had a bit of self-doubt,” she says.
“But I had known these clients for years and they knew that I was in it for the long haul, that I wouldn’t be retiring soon.”
Burrows quickly came to love the contact with clients and the feeling of achievement when she helps them reach a goal.
But for years Burrows was adamant that she would not be joining her father in the family business.
When she was growing up in Adelaide she had wanted to be a vet, but a high school work experience stint put paid to that.
“During my time at the vet, there was a dog that came in and had to be put down,” Burrows says.
“I knew then that I couldn’t do that.”
Burrows was also incredibly sporty as a child. She played baseball, touch football, and she danced.
Made it on her own
She went to the University of South Australia and studied a Bachelor of Applied Science (Recreation Planning and Management), before working in a managerial role at the YMCA and later as a client services officer at the University of Adelaide.
It wasn’t until she had a considerable amount of life experience under her belt, and her first child was born, that she even thought about joining the business.
“Dad was keen for me to get life experience and so was I,” she says.
“I wanted to make it on my own and through my own abilities rather than relying on daddy.
“Even though I am his daughter, I never expected any privileges and I have a different last name, which I think was really helpful when dealing with people.
“In the end he took a chance on me, and I took a chance on him, too.”
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