#WIB – Q&A With Katinka Pretorius Managing Director Of Sunshinegun
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. Sunshinegun is a strategic brand design company. We design beautiful solutions for brands with soul, so they can be loved. We were born in sunny South Africa 10 years ago, and we service clients throughout Africa, the Middle East, Canada, USA, Australia, and the not-so-sunny UK.
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. I cannot take credit for giving birth to this wonderful baby. Sunshinegun was founded by the talented designers, George and Bronwen Rautenbach, who decided to venture into the unknown, leave the big global design agencies they were working for and start their own shop. I joined them 5 years later.
3. What is your role in the business?
A. As managing director, I aim to be the guiding light, the client contact, the negotiator, the creative problem-solver, the agony aunt, the buck-stops-with-me.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. I had a great student life at the University of Johannesburg, where I studied psychology. For some reason, I felt a calling to get a year’s practical people experience by enrolling for a post-graduate degree at the AAA School of Advertising. It changed my life. The day I entered advertising, boredom evaporated and now I feel stimulated and challenged every day.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. Money is incredibly important in every business. Not so much money to start it, but how you manage your money day-to-day. I have learnt a lot from my business partner, Bronwen, on how to do this well.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
A. Since lockdown started 500 days ago, I have been part of the 5 am club. I start my day with a 5km run, I get the family’s lunchboxes ready and sort dinner out. Every day, our business starts with a 10-min staff meeting to facilitate human interaction and plan our goals for the day. I spend the rest of my workday in client or finance meetings, creative reviews, and presentations. My wonderful time manager, Maretha makes sure I schedule gaps to do some work, catch up on emails and have a cup of tea.
My afternoons are interspersed with more meetings, overseeing homework, kids’ sports and at night our family has dinner together to discuss our day and feed our souls. My life is full and blessed, and I love it
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. Covid-19 has integrated everything, so the key is not to keep work and family separate but to boldly integrate your commitments openly, without apology.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. Courageous small business owners and big-hearted South Africans who give back inspire me.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. My best ideas reach me when I am doing a long run. Or in the shower. But the storyteller in our business, George, expresses them in the best way.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
A. Client referrals are our best ambassadors.
11. What is next for your business?
A. Global business expansion, whilst continuing to invest in our South African operations. We passionately grow young, South-African talent.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. Start your business boldly and with confidence, but build it sustainably and properly. Do not take shortcuts. Never apologise for being a woman in business. No one can do it like you can.
Social media links:
Twitter:@Katinka_Pret
Instagram: Sunshinegun
1st Floor Longpoint Building, Cnr Witkoppen & Montecasino Blvd, Fourways, Johannesburg T +27 11 467 2866 F +27 86 231 5176 W sunshinegun.co.za P.O. BOX 1242, Magaliesview, 2067