#BehindtheSelfie with... Leanne Pechey

Pechey (front middle) with her Matriarch team: Lindy-Leigh Swales, Thobeka Ndlela (front left), Donna Kincade, Brendan Blackburn, Bongani Shabalala and Hasmika Jugath (front right).

1. Where do you live, work and play?

Pechey: I live in Morningside in Durban with my two children and two dogs. Our offices are at Nandi Drive in Durban, but I enjoy travelling to JHB and CT to visit the team at our offices there. When in CT, I make sure to always try a new fabulous restaurant.

2. What’s your claim to fame?

Pechey: I am the original MATRIARCH!

3. Describe your career so far.

Pechey: I cannot believe that I have been in the industry for over 20 years, it feels like it was just yesterday that I was starting out. The time goes by so fast. The last 20+ years have been very rewarding and I have made some fabulous friends along the way. I have paid too many school fees through making mistakes, but this is all a necessary part of growth.

4. Tell us a few of your favourite things.

Pechey: My most favourite thing is to walk along the beach with my children and the dogs – yes, it’s a total cliché, but Durban’s promenade is awesome! Especially when you hear my kids’ laughter as they run in and out of the water, it’s too special and I just try to capture those moments and keep them in my heart. Another favourite thing to do is to have Sunday lunch with friends and family – it’s old school and it just reminds me of the important things in life.

5. What do you love about your industry?

Pechey: Marketing can really change peoples’ lives with information. This industry is dynamic and no two days are alike. With the exponential development of technology, there’s a whole new world waiting for us that we cannot even begin to imagine.

6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.

Pechey: I like to get to the office by 7.30am as I believe the early bird always catches the worm. No day is the same and there is always something new and exciting to look forward to. I love the creativity that each day brings, and I love the people that I work with – they make my day.

7. What are the tools of your trade?

Pechey: People, people and people.

8. What are you working on right now?

Pechey: I have two big projects on the go at the moment. The one is an entrepreneurial revolution and is going to change the landscape of the small business owner in townships around South Africa. The other project is so exciting but I can’t talk about it just yet… but it too is going to be revolutionary.

9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?

Pechey: During my quiet time, when the house is still and everyone else is asleep.

10. What’s your secret talent/party trick?

Pechey: I can get the party started with just some simple kitchen utensils. Make-shift microphones are always a hit!

11. Are you a technophobe or a technophile?

Pechey: I love technology and all that it can do, but because it is moving and evolving so quickly, I sometimes rely on my teenage son to show me how things work.

12. What would we find if we scrolled through your phone?

Pechey: Well, it depends on what’s going on in the world – during the elections I was tapped into News24, the app, FB and any other media stream that I could get my hands on. But generally you’ll find lots of music, photos of my kids and their achievements. I also generally tend to read interesting articles on my phone, of where the world is heading.

13. What advice would you give to newbies hoping to crack into the industry?

Pechey: Be ready for long hours and just face your fears head on, as they’re the only thing holding you back. Go for it!

Simple as that. Visit the Matriarch website, or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more.

*Interviewed by Leigh Andrews.