[Behind the Selfie] with... Nadia van der Mescht

Van der Mescht turned 30 last year and created a challenge for herself – 30 days to 30. Taking a selfie was one of the daily fun tasks she set herself, as she is an anti-selfie person.

1. Where do you live, work and play?

Van der Mescht: I live in beautiful Durban and my office is located in the awesome new Station Drive Precinct. My creative space within The Design Factory is my 'happy place'. When it comes to playing, I fancy couch time paired with good food and company.

2. What's your claim to fame?

Van der Mescht: My work and blog are the foundation of my claim to fame. I started my creative work in 2009 and it has grown from strength to strength since. I have been exceptionally fortunate to be featured in publications both nationally and internationally, including Elle, Grazia and Ideas.

3. Describe your career so far.

Van der Mescht: It's been an incredible journey filled with challenges, lessons and great personal growth. I started my career in marketing and fashion, but launched my first small business while studying. These various creative aspects paired together have led me to my career and a business that I have been able to shape and create to meet the needs of South Africa's creative entrepreneurs.

4. Tell us a few of your favourite things:

Van der Mescht:

• Beautiful stationery items - they help me do my work better.
• My office space.
• Really delicious food.

5. What do you love about your industry?

Van der Mescht: I absolutely love being able to help creatives to build their businesses. It brings me great joy to see them develop and evolve, which allows them to feel empowered.

6. What are a few pain points your industry can improve on?

Van der Mescht: I find that within the creative industry, integrity is a huge element that we need to be aware of. Understand it, respect it and utilise it - it sets people apart and acts as a moral compass within business and life in general. This isn't perhaps the most conventional answer, but it's something I am consistently aware of.

7. Describe your average workday (if such a thing exists)!

Van der Mescht: I'll describe my average Monday as I follow the principle of a 'Meet Free Monday', which means I keep it free from appointments or meetings in order to focus on getting prepared for the week ahead.

It starts with a Pilates class at Agility Studio, which is next door to my office. This sets the tone for my day. Once I'm back in the office I enjoy a late breakfast and start browsing through my emails. I then take out time to focus completely on getting prepared for what needs doing. Grouping my tasks together for the week, setting goals and scheduling as need be. I spend the day in the office and get to work on some of the tasks that are important. It's usually a mix of admin, pursuing new opportunities, scheduling social media and assisting with client-related tasks. I like to take a short lunch break and quick stroll around Station Drive for a red cappuccino and some fresh air. I usually work until about 5pm. I often share my 'MFM' on social media and my followers and readers love the concept, which I initially started via a series of blog posts. Several of my clients and friends also practice a 'Meet Free Monday'.

8. What are the tools of your trade?

Van der Mescht: A creative mind that is always on the lookout for new ideas and opportunities. A laptop and iPhone. An array of beautiful stationery like my planner from Typo and my favourite pens.

9. Who is getting it right in your industry?

Van der Mescht: I like to use several examples when I am guiding clients and when it comes to creative brands there are several who have a well-rounded approach. I often mention Skinny laMinx, as I find the brand makes excellent use of social media, but also delivers in the 'real world'. I recently spoke at Decorex as part of the Creative Business Exchange and invited Heather Moore from laMinx to share some of her magic with attendees.

10. What are you working on right now?

Van der Mescht: My next batch of business workshops and a new consulting-based set of services that I can't wait to roll out. They are aimed at assisting creative business owners even further. I am also heading to Cape Town and Joburg later in the year, so I'm working on getting prepped for workshops and one-on-one consulting sessions once there. On the side I've been organising the Etsy Craft Party, which is global event taking place on 5 June: here for details.

11. Tell us some of the buzzwords floating around in your industry at the moment, and some of the catchphrases you utter yourself.

Van der Mescht: In general, I hear the words 'content marketing' often, amongst others. The words I like to use are consistency, purpose and creativity with focus.

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

Van der Mescht: While I'm browsing Instagram. It kicks my imagination into overdrive. It reminds me of the wonderful creative possibilities that await us all.

13. What's your secret talent/party trick?

Van der Mescht: That's a tricky one. I love to dance and I like to think that I can really break it down. It surprises people as I often appear quite professional and then let loose on the dance floor.

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

Van der Mescht: An abundance of lists, ranging from shopping through to to-do's. Heaps of photos as I really enjoy capturing the world around me.

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

Van der Mescht: Understand what you would like to become known for, whether it's a product or service, and work on achieving that. Understand what you ideal brand looks like and consistently work on building it. Secondly, utilise social media. There are still thousands of businesses who are not harnessing it, use it with a plan and purpose.

16. Are you a technophobe or a technophile?

Van der Mescht: I love technology and the internet, but I'm also a firm believer in connecting one-on-one (tech free) and disconnecting as a whole to reset. Technology allows me to assist creative entrepreneurs both locally and the world over.

17. Plug your contact details, punt yourself - list all the places people can find you/your work online.

Van der Mescht:
Blog - www.nadiavdmescht.co.za
Facebook: nadiavdmescht
Twitter: NadiavdMescht
Instagram: nadiavdmescht
Pinterest: Nadia vd Mescht
Snapchat: nadiavdmescht

You can read more about Van der Mescht and her creative business insights here.

*Interviewed by Leigh Andrews.