SQ-easy co-founder encourages start-ups to keep focused and follow through with ideas
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The Welkom based co-founder of popular sanitiser dispenser, SQ-easy wristbands encourages other start-ups to remain focused on their business goals and follow through with their ideas. Jolene de Sousa, tells the OFM Business Hour, that this is the prevailing lesson she acquired in the process of researching and developing the product.
It all started when de Sousa realised her school going son was not using the sanitiser she had placed in his school bag at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She started mulling over ideas for children that would ensure that their sanitiser would be easily accessed. Once she had the idea, she roped in two of her close friends and got the balling rolling on bringing the idea to fruition. Following a few months of research and product development – SQ-easy was birthed.
But was it that easy?
De Sousa says at the time of product development, she and her partners had to think hard if the venture was going to be worth their while, time and financial resources. “There was a backlog at the harbours with all the containers at the time. We wondered what the time delay would be” reveals the Welkom native candidly. The trio went on to take the risk anyway, and it paid off handsomely.
The product was received well and De Sousa ended up pitching the idea to mega retailer Checkers. She had arranged to present before the store manager, but was in for a pleasant surprise when the regional heads were in the city and she had to pitch to them at the last minute. The SQ-easy co-founder says she is so passionate about the brand that the presentation went swimmingly. And as a result the product is stored in shopping isles across the food retail giant’s outlets in the Free State and the Northern Cape.
This latter collaboration with Checkers also taught her about the importance of brand awareness.
It would appear that there is still more on the horizon for SQ-easy.
It all started when de Sousa realised her school going son was not using the sanitiser she had placed in his school bag at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. She started mulling over ideas for children that would ensure that their sanitiser would be easily accessed. Once she had the idea, she roped in two of her close friends and got the balling rolling on bringing the idea to fruition. Following a few months of research and product development – SQ-easy was birthed.
But was it that easy?
De Sousa says at the time of product development, she and her partners had to think hard if the venture was going to be worth their while, time and financial resources. “There was a backlog at the harbours with all the containers at the time. We wondered what the time delay would be” reveals the Welkom native candidly. The trio went on to take the risk anyway, and it paid off handsomely.
The product was received well and De Sousa ended up pitching the idea to mega retailer Checkers. She had arranged to present before the store manager, but was in for a pleasant surprise when the regional heads were in the city and she had to pitch to them at the last minute. The SQ-easy co-founder says she is so passionate about the brand that the presentation went swimmingly. And as a result the product is stored in shopping isles across the food retail giant’s outlets in the Free State and the Northern Cape.
This latter collaboration with Checkers also taught her about the importance of brand awareness.
It would appear that there is still more on the horizon for SQ-easy.
