What is your background?
I graduated in Cape Town with a BA in Creative Brand Communications specialising in Visual Communications and went into the giant world of advertising at one of the world’s top agencies straight out of college. I then moved to London and joined agency life here, working full time as a Senior Digital Designer and Content Strategist for another world leading company.
How did you get started in this business?
I have always wanted to start my own business and have had loads of different ideas over the years. Dough Animal was an over night thought and I knew I wanted to make it work. So when I left my last job early in 2019 I had about a month to focus on starting up Dough Animal before going back to work. It was a lot of product testing, making batches and batches of dough and getting the ingredients and colours right. Designing the branding and finding the best packaging for the dough and pulling it all together. My kitchen floor was constantly full of flour and my dining room table covered in sticker off cuts.
Where do you see your business in the future?
In the next year we will launch new product ranges (this is something that we will do continuously), hopefully start stocking in boutique stores across the country and participate in markets. In the next 5 years, I hope to have Dough Animal as a full time business and be making, packaging and marketing our beautiful brand every day of the week. We may also have another little mini dough helper by then.
How did you start in South Africa and will you expand?
I am originally from Cape Town and have a lot of family and friends there, I also used to photograph children’s parties so have connections in many circles through my previous photography business as a student and there was a demand in the market. So when my cousin Casey approached me a few months after launching to run the business in Cape Town, I couldn’t say no! We may look at posting internationally in our future, from our UK studio, but only to a select few countries.
What's your favourite thing to do?
I enjoy exploring new places, foods and experiences and living in London allows me to see so much more of the world. But I also enjoy sitting on the sofa and binge watching Netflix all day. I guess balance is good
What's your favourite thing about Dough Animal?
Our recipe includes only natural ingredients, even the colouring is made from vegetable and plant extracts, and I love that you don’t need to worry about toxins and chemicals while your little one plays and explores. As an advocate for imaginative play and early childhood education, I love that play dough facilitates learning through play. I also love that the dough smells absolutely delicious.
What inspires you?
Small business owners with big ideas and ambition, turning their brand into market leading companies.
