#WIB – Q&A With Mukondi Ralushayi Kgomo Co-Founder Of Think Creative Africa
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. Think Creative Africa is an award-winning, through-the-line advertising and impact innovation agency. We create content that moves people, communication that solves business problems and innovation that impacts society. We service some of the continent’s top brands, such as Vodacom, Multichoice, AMKA, Metropolitan and Ab InBev. We have recently launched a new innovative FemTech product called MiLQ.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. We started our business in 2016 with a burning desire to create work and tell stories that hail Africa as its own hero. We wanted to contribute positively to the industry and society in a way that will change Africa’s story forever.
3. What is your role in the business?
A. I am the Chief Executive Officer.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. I studied at Vega and I am back there to further my studies. I initially studied Creative Brand Communications, specialising in copywriting.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. We used our savings, R20k each to purchase laptops.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
A. No such thing exists in advertising or when you are a business owner. Most days are different, presented with new challenges or opportunities but an average day (if I must) will consist of status updates with my team, overseeing finances, client check-ins and sales.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. I haven’t managed to find the balance. I, like a lot of working moms, feel like I am not doing enough when balancing multiple roles at once. I have tried to create my own definition and parameters of those roles so I don’t feel unbefitting when I am not fulfilling society’s expectations of a mom, wife, entrepreneur, etc.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. Africa and its endless possibilities.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. When I am out of my comfort zone.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
A. Through PR, whether we are publishing our new business, new executive hires or recently launched work. Giving talks at industry events and partnering with pitch consultants to be on their data base.
11. What is next for your business?
A. We are extending our service offerings and partnering with specialist companies to become a full service creative hub.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. I’d say what my dad use to always tell me; Don’t let anyone tell you your dreams are too big.
Short bio:
Mukondi Ralushayi Kgomo is the Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Think Creative Africa, a through-the-line agency that was crowned Financial Mail Adfocus New Agency of the Year in 2017. Think Creative Africa’s clients include Vodacom, Multichoice, AMKA, Inspired Education Group and many more. Mukondi was recognised in the 2020 M&G Young 200 South Africans under the category of media.
Mukondi began her career eleven years ago as a copywriter at Ogilvy Johannesburg then moved to FCB Africa where she worked on multiple blue-chip brands before venturing into the entrepreneurship world. She has won numerous advertising awards and serves as a recurring judge for Creative Circle, Loeries, Pendorings and Cannes Young Lions. She offers her time as a mentor for The One Club Creative Bootcamp and the Loeries Open Chair organization.
She is known for having created some of South Africa’s most loved ads including Coca-Cola’s Bobby commercial, which became best practice in over 90 countries, but she regards her finest achievement as the impact work she gets to make on society through projects like The Feel Party, which she co-founded to bring awareness to breast cancer. In addition, Mukondi’s charity work spans over ten years, from raising funds for school kids, volunteering at a hospice and donating to various charities.
She has presented on topics such as entrepreneurship, being a woman in business and the creative industry on various platforms, including GIBS. She has also been featured by Destiny Magazine, Radio 702, Kyk Net and Bizcommunity, to name a few.
Contact information: mukondi@thinkcreativeafrica.com
Social media links: IG: @mukondi_r
For more visit: thinkcreativeafrica.com