#WIB – Q&A With Nino Naidoo Managing Director Of Duchess
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. Duchess is a one hundred percent female run-and-owned, full-service production facilitator. The company comprises a network of highly skilled and experienced, female service providers and individuals. It is committed to connecting industry needs and ideas with a network of production specialists, giving first option to female experts. We are currently in the initial phase of identifying and growing female talent who can provide the industry with excellent service while giving them the opportunities they deserve.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. The company launched in 2021 with its five female directors, all of whom stem from the communications industry. My background is in production – I have been in the industry for over 25 years, having started out as a receptionist at the advertising agency, TBWA Hunt Lascaris, and working my way through the business. In all that time there has always been a lack of female talent in our industry and Duchess has been created with the intention of changing the status quo.
3. What is your role in the business?
A. I am the Managing Director of Duchess. Whilst I’m currently very involved in the day-to-day production and management of the business, I hope to ultimately provide a mentorship role to those whom we employ and work with. It’s not easy doing what we do in a largely male-dominated industry. I hope to empower other women and give them the space in which to be able to do what they do best.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. I studied Hotel Management through Intec College whilst working in the hotel industry.
After completing the course and full in-service training, I realised that I was not passionate enough about hospitality, and that is when I began my career in advertising where my very first job was as a receptionist at TBWA Hunt Lascaris.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. Duchess evolved organically from the DUKE Group of which I am the Co-Founder. I have always handled the production for DUKE, so turning it into its own specialised entity happened quite naturally because we had existing business.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
A. No two days are the same – the only constant is that they are always very busy. I’m a scout for female talent. A typical day involves a LOT of meetings, a great deal of time on my laptop and, of course, the best part is when we’re working on an actual production job.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. I am a bit of a workaholic but my family is extremely important to me, so I always manage to make time for them and switch off during family time. They keep me grounded and remind me that work is just work and they are really the ones that truly matter in my life.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. I have twin daughters – everything I do, both good and bad, is an example to them. A lot of my motivation to form Duchess was probably subconsciously driven by them. Their own drive and determination is also very inspiring to me though, so it works both ways.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. I have a busy mind. It’s always going – thinking, strategising, churning away at work – so I actually do my best creative thinking when my mind is relaxed and not thinking about work. At work, I focus on getting the job done. But when I’m busy with something unrelated, for example, when I’m cooking, running or driving home, the ideas have space to flourish.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
A. We are very fortunate in that our new business has largely been via word-of-mouth. Being part of a larger group, we have a lot of clients within the group who became interested in working with us, but mostly our work speaks for itself and our leads come from those who hear about us and would like to do business with us.
11. What is next for your business?
A. Our business is growing so rapidly that currently, we’re 100% focused on delivering the best for the clients that we have. But ultimately we hope that Duchess can become a model that can be duplicated throughout the world, empowering women in every corner.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity – there’s no perfect time. Just do it. As women we tend to overthink things and underestimate ourselves and that can be paralysing. If you have a dream or an idea, run with it and don’t ever doubt yourself.