1. Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m a Durban girl born and raised. I fiercely believe that family is the biggest gift life has to offer. Spending time with the people I love is most important to me, as well as growing more creatively through music and design. I love reading the news and staying on top of trends, I find the world we are living in to be incredibly fascinating.
2. What work do you do?
I manage strategies for our brands, focusing on creating cohesive brand plans that resonate with our shoppers and consumers. My work involves overseeing brand positioning, developing marketing and shopper marketing initiatives, and managing product categories to ensure we meet market demands and stay competitive.
3. How long have you been in the industry?
I’ve been in the marketing industry for over a decade. Throughout this time, I’ve had the opportunity to work across global brands and local jewels in various facets of marketing and shopper marketing.
4. Has your work always been your passion? Tell us why.
To tell you the truth, it has always been a passion of mine, even when I didn’t realise it. I remember growing up watching iconic marketing adverts and always wondering about the creative process behind the adverts. My sister would call me ‘the spoiler alert’, because I always tried to discuss and unpack the thinking process behind the adverts instead of just enjoying watching them.
Years later, I’ve found that in marketing you can stand for something, you can drive change, bring awareness to certain societal issues, and you can become a storyteller in the most amazing ways. You can be a part of the culture – and that for me is beautiful.
5. Being a woman in the industry – what does it take?
To succeed in the marketing industry, you need to be courageous – willing to try new things, embrace failure as a learning opportunity, and stand firm in your convictions. Stay curious, remain humble, and always challenge yourself to learn new skills. If there’s one secret weapon to help you thrive in your career, it’s having a mentor. My journey, through many ups and downs, has been possible thanks to the incredible women who have served as my sounding boards, inspirations, and most importantly, coaches.
6. What has been the most difficult challenge of your career?
I’ve faced many challenges, but one of the toughest was moving from a role I loved due to a company restructuring. I had to transition into a different position. I tried my best to stay positive, learn as much as possible, and think more creatively in this new role. Turning lemons into lemonade, I won an award for my campaign during this time. Even years later, I’m still using the skills I gained from that experience.
The only constant thing is change. Learning to embrace change and maintain a positive attitude can lead to personal growth and unexpected successes, even in challenging situations.
7. What advice do you have for other women in your industry?
Believe in yourself and what you can achieve and also stay the course through the ups and downs of life. If you fail, you’ve learned something new. Celebrate your big victories and take the time to acknowledge them and be proud of yourself. Never give up, never let your self-doubt in a moment of despair become your permanent inside voice.
Knowledge and wisdom are gained over time; you possess some of it, but a mentor can offer even more of it. Once you’ve acquired enough, be sure to share it with others.
8. Plans for the future?
Looking ahead, I’m committed to growing and evolving in this ever-changing field. While an MBA is a future goal, my heart is fully invested in supporting women-owned small businesses in my community right now. This work is incredibly fulfilling and meaningful to me, and I’m passionate about making a real and positive impact.