#WIB – Q&A With Lizel Opperman Co-Founder Of Maze Digital Agency
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. Our company is a full-service digital marketing agency that specializes in:
- Digital Strategy
- PPC Advertising
- Social Media Marketing
- Website Design
- SEO
- Content Creation
2. When and how did you create your business
A. We are two friends who started our company over a glass of wine back in 2019. Now we’re a full-time digital marketing and web development agency, but the thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to relationships.
We’ve been working in a customer-centric marketing environment for more than twelve years and have learned a lot about the link between consumer behavior and storytelling. The best way to create meaningful stories is to do it at the heart level, so we strive to put people first and create authentic relationships with our clients.
We know that you need strong relationships to build trust, and that trust comes from understanding each other.
3. What is your role in the business?
A. I am the Co-Founder of the company and also the Director of Marketing and Sales.
4. Where and what did you study?
A. I completed my diploma in Fashion at LISOF/STADIO and have completed my certificates in Google and Facebook marketing.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. Personal savings.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists?
A. I don’t know about you, but I’m not the kind of person who likes to be bored. I’m constantly on the move and enjoy learning new things, meeting new people, and being exposed to new experiences. In short, I live for variety.
So it’s just as well that at Maze Digital Agency Services, where I work as a Director, there is no such thing as a “typical” day. Sure, there are some regular activities—meetings with clients and my team; reviewing forecasts and budget projections; responding to emails—but even these are never boring.
And let’s face it: when you work in an agency environment, no matter what level you’re at, you’re always working on multiple projects at once. So, while I might have a client meeting scheduled first thing in the morning—say with a major fashion brand we’re helping to launch an exclusive e-commerce site for—after lunch, I could be presenting pitch ideas for a new campaign to a cosmetics company; or reviewing budgets for an auto manufacturer project.
What’s great about this frenetic pace is that it keeps me stimulated and engaged, which allows me to bring 100% of myself to whatever project I’m working on at any given time.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. Managing the balance between home life and work-life can be very challenging, especially if you are a small business owner. My mantra is not to look for balance in my life. I firmly believe in being in the moment of what I am trying to accomplish and putting my heart and soul into that very moment.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. What inspires me is helping people. My primary focus is providing resources, tools, and tips to see that even the most minor ideas come to fruition.
When you have a mission and a purpose, it inspires you to do your best.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. I am a problem solver. When I face a problem, I meditate and become obsessed with finding the best solutions. My best ideas usually start with a customer pain first.
10. Where and how do you market your business for sales leads?
A. The best marketing for my business thus far was happy clients giving excellent reviews.
11. What is next for your business?
A. We have been serving clients for over three years with a team of highly trained and experienced marketers/developers. We are on a mission to serve more clients through scaling our business.
12. What advice would you give female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. Women starting their own businesses shouldn’t be afraid to fail. Women are natural nurturers and feel responsible for the outcome of things. Failure is okay as long as you question yourself and use the feedback to take another approach. Don’t give up — persistence pays off!
Imagine how we would be if we were less afraid.
Contact Details:
+27 12 744 7042
lizel@mazedigital.co.za
Website: www.mazedigital.co.za