[NewsMaker] Tandi Potgieter

Says Potgieter of her latest career move: "I was completely sold on the concept of Printstagram and felt I connected with the company brand immediately. The potential for this business is vast - especially as we are now driving it in a new direction.

"We are in the process of moving Printstagram onto a retail platform from being purely web-based and are forming partnerships with existing photographic retail outlets, starting with eight Kodak stores in the Gauteng region."

They plan to have a presence in 180 retail outlets by the first quarter of 2015 and also have a host of new products and innovation in the pipeline.

About Tandi Potgieter

Tandi Potgieter hails from Benoni and is a former model who started a career in sales at Justine Cosmetics. A stint in London saw her working at Harrods for over five years - her dream retail environment. She has worked across the retail and corporate environment in South Africa, run her own modelling agency and import/export business, before joining Printstagram as its new managing director.

Q: What is your main business challenge?
A: South African consumers still lag behind international consumers with respect to the adoption of e-commerce.

Q: What is your core strategy?
A: Our core strategy is to augment our retail footprint by forming enduring partnerships with existing trusted retailers.

Q: What do you enjoy most about this business?
A: I am energised by working in a constantly evolving and innovative environment.

Q: Most important attribute needed to do your job?
A: Passion for our brands and tenacity to drive the business forward.

Q: The biggest trend to note in your industry?
A: The number of photographs taken by people daily has increased exponentially and yet photo prints have declined significantly over the same period. Personalisation is becoming more prevalent in all industries today. The trend is to take these photos and personalise products using a myriad of new methods.

Q: How will you make an impact?
A: Rapid implementation of our core strategy by partnering both with respected traditional retail stores and with pioneering online platforms.

Q: What inspires you?
A: The process of creating innovative new products in this emerging industry.

Q: How do you inspire others?
A: I would like to think that the combination of my positivity, tenacity and zealous work ethic is contagious.

Q: Your life philosophy?
A: I believe you should give 100% in everything that you do.

Q: At the top of my 'bucket list' is...
A: Having travelled extensively, I have yet to explore the Far East.