#WIB-Q&A With Leasha Naidoo Managing Director of Guerilla -

1. Can you please tell us more about your business?

A. Well, externally we’re known as the big thinking, box destroying, sailor talking, ink slinging, brush stroking, always winning ‘kinda agency…but internally we strive to be a ‘sh*t” hot full-service boutique creative agency. We specialist in innovation for the marketing sector. We also don’t say ‘no’ that word is blasphemous.

2. When, how and why did you start your business?

A. I am an accidental entrepreneur. The business was founded by my partner & real-life husband, who can be ‘totes’ annoying, Cameron – He is the creative partner here at Guerilla. I joined the business in 2014 to “help out with admin for the business” – truth be told he was spending money like it was a hip-hop music video –but essentially in an endeavor to get out of stressful corporate to start a family together after many failed attempts & heartbreak. Needless to say I never really helped out but instead strategically grew our business to the organisation it is today – 3 locations around the world with international clients!

3. What is your role in the business?

A. On paper “The Boss” in real life – the carer and nurturer. My role is to take the craziest ideas that are put in front of me and figure out how to make a profit…and keep the lights on with crazy ideas…oh and they’re crazy! ! I also have the title of “Mother of Dragons” bestowed onto me.. still figuring that one out J

4. Where did you study and what did you study?

A. Life + the entrepreneur hustle has been my biggest institution for learning – with a BCOM Accounting completed part-time through UNISA in parallel to my articles in Chartered Accountancy.

5. How did you finance your business?

A. I am risk-averse and therefore don’t believe in loans. The business was ‘bootstrapped’ as all the clever venture capitalists call it but my ideology is based on SAVING, and SAVING up enough cash to cover expenses for 6 months, and the rest, as they say, is history.

6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.

A. It doesn’t! But generally it starts off being a mommy ( the admin helping out admin – clearly worked) to a wonderful, confident, energetic 5 year old! And once he is safely at school – the ‘Mother of Dragons’ flies in on her dragon – Drogon. Meetings, calls, reviewing strategies, approving costings, simulating budgets, and then home to play mommy & wife again – just typing this out gave me anxiety.

7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?

A. I don’t but it’s in my plan for the new year. The year of twenty plenty has taught me how to navigate this maze of intertwined life.

8. What drives you and inspires you?

A. My husband – who is one of my greatest supporters & my son. My son thinks his mommy is a Super Hero so I’ve got to live up to that in order to change the narrative for him and future generations – that GIRLS can & will do it all!

9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?

A. Funnily enough while in the shower! I tend to be analytical and also most see things from an analytical viewpoint whilst in the shower. It’s a stream of being in your own thoughts.

10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?

A. We’ve prided ourselves on never having to market or advertise our business. All our work has been obtained by word of mouth. High quality work coupled with treating your clients as IF each client are the ONLY clients you have – will always be well received and appreciated.

11. What is next for your business?

A. Expansion of business into Asia and America – with a key focus on technology and digital integration in marketing and communications.

12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?

A. Keep your head down, do good work, keep the passion alive, stay humble and be kind. Where there is passion -the money and success will surely follow!

Short Bio:

Leasha Naidoo is the Managing Director of anti-traditional creative agency, Guerilla JHB and CPT. Dubbed the ‘accidental entrepreneur’, in her past life, before the triviality of industrious buzz words like marketing funnel, gamify, influencer marketing, and her all-time favourite phrase, ‘What’s the CTA?’, she commanded the realms of finance in some of S.A.’s leading enterprises.

These days, she spends a substantial amount of her time on agency frolicsomeness, cracking the whip, maintaining big accounts, steering the ship from any icebergs, and, most importantly, backing causes that matter in previously disadvantaged communities. Philanthropic ideas get her ticking, and the need for starting something that matters is always at the top of her mind.

Guerilla is a multi-awarded agency that holds both international and local accounts that include WarnerMedia, DStv, Toyota Africa, British American Tobacco, and many more.

Backing new ideas and business strategies isn’t out of the norm for Leasha. Over the last few years, she has co-founded an AR tech solution called Foxtrot and is currently working on the launch of a Digi-agency called Guerilla Beta.

As her friends and family call her, Lea is a mother to a feisty five-year-old to whom her favourite phrase is, “Don’t think I’m your friend!”. Lea loves living life to the fullest, which has its challenges – juggling between being a wife, mother, and entrepreneur, and looking after her own mental well-being. Her motto in life is, “We are all here on Earth as conduits – made to flow out love and kindness to others in any way we can.