Page 65 - Standard Bank KZN Top Business Women 2021

Struggles are a stepping stone to your next place. When you

have gone through the struggle, the prize feels all the more sweeter.

Founder and Owner of Say Watt worked towards achieving these goals. That is why I am Business success, says Sam, is defined by the point
such an advocate for big dreams to drive you.” where you stop worrying about cash flow. “Your dream
has got to be bigger than your business. It is about when
amantha (Sam) Watt is the owner of Say Watt, Through this experience, Sam said she realised that
you have the money to make a tangible difference in
which is a consultancy with a passion for struggles don’t define you. “Struggles are a stepping stone
other people’s lives.”
influencing hearts and minds through the art to your next place. I feel that you appreciate things more
Sof public relations. She adds that she has when you put in the work. When you have gone through In 2020, Sam piloted a project called ‘Brand Thina’
succeeded through the grace of God and through the the struggle, the prize feels all the more sweeter.” in partnership with Kandua, which is an online
support of her husband. home services marketplace. Say Watt were given
Primary dream
the opportunity to assist with the branding of five
“Our core business is public relations, which is more
Sam reflected that during her early working career she professionals and hosted workshops to enable this
than building brands. We have a massive network of
suffered with mommy guilt. “Women believe that if they process. “Through the assistance of the Durban agency,
freelancers who are strong service providers in marketing
are career driven, they are letting someone down. Women The 13th Floor, we were then able to create something
strategy, events, web development, social media and/or
want to be all things to everyone,” she explained. However, magical,” says Sam. “We were able to give these guys a
brand development and activation. We are able to supply
she said that her life was changed when she realised that logo, social media posts and an all-important business
a one stop marketing shop to our clients, which is really
her primary dream was to be the best mom and wife that card. From that experience we really realised how
great,” explains Sam.
she could be and that she could not do that working a important a brand is and that it can do much more for
“We are idea generators and content creators. I love normal nine to five job. a business than you can dream of. Branding offers more
telling our clients that we are dream chasers. At the heart credibility, fosters trust, generates more customers,
This realisation resulted in Sam embarking on the journey
of every marketing success is a story that can grab the and makes a business more visible. This really was a
of owning her own business. “Initially this was built on the
heart of a customer. We are exceptional story tellers.” wonderful opportunity to shift some lives.”
amazing relationships I had developed over the years with
ex-employers, colleagues, family, and friends, who became
A turning point Just start
my first clients and are still clients today. I wouldn’t be
Sam’s path to success has not been easy. She added where I am today if they hadn’t put their faith in me.” Sam attributes her success to being surrounded by
that she does not think that there is anyone who hasn’t incredible women her entire life. “My gran was a single
In commenting on her current work/life balance, Sam says
experienced a struggle within their lifetime in one form mother who raised three daughters and is the stalwart
that she does not believe that anyone has achieved balance.
or another. of the family. My mother never pursued tertiary
“Having my own business is a plus as I am able to choose
education but was ambitious and very successful. I
Eleven years ago, after using all of the family’s savings my work hours. My favourite place to be is on the side
also have strong willed and amazing women business
to move to Durban to pursue a business opportunity, of the rugby field, netball court or cricket field. I am that
partners who all have a solid sense of accountability.”
Sam’s husband found himself without an income. crazy mom who shouts on the side of the field… The trade
Sam was earning a minuscule amount of money from off is that I often have to work to 12 at night or one o’clock Sam’s advice is that if you have a massive dream, if you
freelancing, which also dried up, leaving them with no in the morning and I may work during weekends.” want to be an entrepreneur, and if you want to live a
resources to support themselves. “We were, for the first different life from the one that you are living now, to
Making a tangible difference
times in our lives, stuck. However, through the financial just start. She concluded, “I would like to encourage
support of friends and their church, they were able to get Sam’s goal is to have an impact on the world. “Our dream you and ask you to be kind to yourself and just start.
through this hardship. As they had a privileged lifestyle, is that no brand, big or small, in South Africa ever has to I started my business with nothing more than my
this experience was a turning point in their lives. Sam go unbranded or unheard. We are committed to keeping laptop and a whole lot of courage and determination.
commented, “We were able to pick ourselves up. We also our costs low and competitive, while still providing the Be a person of your word, be a person of integrity, do
completed a dream sheet, which was life changing as we quality that our clients have come to know and enjoy.” what you say you will do, and you will be successful.”

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