Nicole Reitz-Chidrawi + Samantha Ferguson = Flint & TinderCelebrating a year of planning, organising and executing some of the country's most exciting product launches, promotions, weddings and festivals (you name it), from intimate events to grand exhibitions, and a portfolio that extends to some of the country's largest blue-chip accounts, are Nicole Reitz-Chidrawi (the flint) and Samantha Ferguson (the tinder) of boutique events company Flint & Tinder Events. Well on their way to becoming the ‘biggest smallest’ events company in the country, Ferguson says their strategy, for the time being, is to keep numbers and infrastructure relatively small. "This ensures we’re able to maintain control over every aspect of the business and continue to provide the attentive and personalised event experiences that our customers have come to know and appreciate,” she explains. In the meantime, Reitz-Chidrawi and Ferguson are focusing on strengthening their existing relationships with their suppliers while working on building a larger supplier network in order to keep costs as low as possible for their clients. Nicole Reitz-Chidrawi and Samantha Ferguson Here, they share their thoughts on this milestone and the magic that makes an event memorable…
Ferguson: This year marked Flint & Tinder’s one-year anniversary and it’s crazy to think how much we’ve already achieved in this time! I actually started an entertainment company quite a few years ago, so I still had the entrepreneurial bug in me, and, because Nicole and I share the same values when it comes to business, it was only a matter of time before we ventured into something we both love doing together. It was a natural progression and a business idea that I had always wanted to pursue with her, and I’m thrilled with how far we’ve already come.
Ferguson: We sat having coffee one morning, brainstorming every possible name to call our business, including some of the most ridiculous-sounding names you could imagine. In the end, we found that most of the names we came up with involved sparkle, glitz and glamour – from Foxy Events to Verve and everything in between, but nothing really grabbed our attention. Later that evening, Nicole called me and said, “Flint & Tinder Events”, and it just fit perfectly – I loved it! The name Flint & Tinder Events signifies the soul of our business and our belief that there is never just one element responsible for making magic happen. Where the flint requires the tinder, the tinder requires the flint to ignite and come to life.
Ferguson: Our portfolio is mostly generated through corporate events such as gala dinners, conferencing, awards functions and public events such as exhibitions, roadshows and activations. We’ve worked hard to build a unique and efficient range of offerings, and provide the full spectrum of event services that any business, institution or individual may require.
Reitz-Chidrawi: Sam and I have been fortunate to work with Samone on previous events. She’s the young, energetic and eager individual that everyone wants in an event co-ordinator. The term ‘Spark’ relates to the fire element of our name. We are the flint and tinder, and Samone is the spark that helps us make the magic happen!
Reitz-Chidrawi: There has to be an undercurrent of excitement in every event, or you’re left with a boring and forgettable event – and in that case, what’s the point of planning an event in the first place? Clients and guests alike are bored with seeing the same old things. They want fresh ideas that not only leave a lasting impression, but achieve a desired objective – whether it’s a bottom-line impact for businesses or a celebration of love and life that people will remember for years to come. I think the events industry has previously lacked the out-of-the-box thinking, and event planning has always been rather black and white. We want to change that by giving clients and guests a memorable experience. |