Que Lebatha Consulting is a 100% Black Female and Youth owned company in the business of creating memorable brand experiences.
Que Lebatha Consulting is an integrated Marketing Communication Agency, with specialization in Public Relations and Social Media, Events Management and Project Management.
The owner, Que Lebatha, explains that her journey as an entrepreneur started with her love for drama, events and making people feel comfortable and happy in their special occasions. After completing her B.Com in Sports Management and B.Com Honors in Strategic Management at the University of Johannesburg, Que entered the working world with full vigor. She started working for the Rocking Future Roadshow, a youth-aimed career guidance program, which she hosted and organised for five-years.
Following the roadshow, she entered the world of marketing and hospitality with Tsogo Sun Gaming, where she started as a Marketing Co-ordinator. Que attributes a great amount of learning, experience and growth during to this period of her career. “I worked with casinos in Caledon and Newcastle…Hemingway’s in East London, and you know, learned from some of the best in the business in terms of gaming, marketing, hospitality”.
She was then promoted to Public Relations Manager at Montecasino, where she worked for nine months, before making the decision to go back to University to complete her B. Com Honours in Sports Management. She then worked in various places before deciding that being an “employee” is not for her. “One morning I woke up and I was like, you know what? I am continuously just working for other people…making sure that other people realise their dreams, and when am I actually going to do that for myself?”
In October 2014, Que began freelancing in Events Management and Events Organising. Based in Johannesburg, she registered Que Lebatha Consulting in February 2015.
In order to promote her business and get her foot in the door, Que could rely on and consult with previous clients and contacts she had made in her 12-years of working experience. Her portfolio now included social media, project management and events co-ordination, which serves as the basic services her company offers.
As someone who is still finding her grounding as an entrepreneur, Que has noted some important lessons in the world of being a “solopreneur”. She says that approximately 90% of her jobs come from referrals and word-of-mouth in her own personal circles and beyond.
Que is a firm believer in branding, especially since her own name is attached to her business. She believes in the importance of setting up a comprehensive website and independent email address (not on Gmail or yahoo). She has achieved this with her interactive website, which allows visitors to understand her brand completely.
Que notes that opportunity is everywhere and entrepreneurship in South Africa is growing at a desirable pace but requires integrated working relationships. She finds herself often collaborating with freelance workers in her field, as well as people she finds on social media whom she would like to work with. Que confirms that, as with any independent venture, there are risks involved.
Small and Medium Enterprises (SME’s) are on the rise in South Africa, and contribute to a significant section of South Africa’s business landscape. According to Reginald Pillay of business advisory firm, Ariston Global, “Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) dominate the South African economy, and as they begin to adapt to shifting market conditions, the demand among them for consulting services of various types is set to increase significantly”
Pillay further notes that in order for SME’S to remain economically productive in South Africa, these types of businesses must remain on par with global trends. Additionally, he mentions that it is important for SME’s to realise the importance of new technology. “SMEs are the fastest growing sector in South Africa; conversely a large proportion fail within the first five years of business. It is for this reason that consulting companies are starting to engage with small and also medium to large companies. Through integrated services, including accounting and taxation, business optimisation, strategy, compliance, and recruitment, consultants are able to guide and assist a business to successfully manage its growth path” he explains of optimal ways to increase success rates of SME’s in the country.
Que understands becoming an entrepreneur is a daunting task, often resulting in failure. She notes that she is still in the very beginning phases of building her brand, and hopes to continue the learning process as she networks with other business owners. ““This has literally been the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Janine Loyd of PR Expert, with over 30-years of experience in the marketing and public relations sector, says that the time is now for businesses such as Que Lebatha Consulting to find new and innovative ways to show the necessity for the services they provide. “While the reputational impact is still important, a closer alignment between PR, marketing and sales will be especially critical during the continuing economic downturn expected in 2018.”
She further noted certain trends which public relations firms and businesses should take note of in 2018, such as data-driven insights and social listening. She explains that the industry is enormously competitive and relies on very specific methods to remain at the top of the field. “The following skills should be on the top of your list for any PR agency or department: social media; written communications; multimedia; analytics and an understanding of behavioural science; media relations; SEO and business literacy.”
Loyd encourages business owners to further empower their employees by sending them out for training in order to remain ahead of the curve in the industry.
In her short time of doing business as Que Lebatha Consulting, she has already garnered an impressive clientele base, hosting events for the Columbia Business School and adding big clients like Geene and Richards to her portfolio.
Que is proud that her company is empowering and employing black women in South Africa, and advises all young women who wish to start their own company to think long and hard about what they wish to achieve, then apply themselves entirely toward achieving the goal.
