Gqeberha businesswoman and former restaurateur Sandy Zoetmulder started her own branding company, ZBrands, five years ago.
The company offers a full service in supplying work and casual wear, promotional items and gifting, branding, display branding and brand-building services.
In addition to being a mom, Zoetmulder also assists her husband, Michael, at his company, Zsports Events SA, where they create, manage and time exciting family-based sports events across the country.
Q: From restaurateur to branding, do you enjoy being a lady boss?
A: It was a huge change for me in my life, leaving behind all that I knew in owning a restaurant, but it definitely was the easiest decision to continue my entrepreneurial career. I love the hustle and bustle of being in charge of my own destiny, and branding just came naturally to me
Q: You also assist your husband with his sports timing events. Who is actually in charge?
A: Ha Ha! Good question! Honestly, we are both natural-born leaders but there is some special magic that happens when we work together, combining both our strengths. We make a great team and bring out the best in each other in delivering a world-class timing service.
Q: How do you juggle a full-time job, travelling, and being a mama bear?
A: First, we are very fortunate to have very hands-on grandparents who are always ready to step up and assist with the children. But the children are also getting older so it’s becoming a bit easier to bring them along with us on our work trips and be exposed to “real-life work experience”.
They attend Capstone School and the ethos of the school includes the concept that travel is the university of life. We love travelling and visiting new places, and most of our timing jobs do take us to some amazing “off the beaten track” towns and cities.
And then at the branding studio, my team really understand and support my entrepreneurial spirit and really are the backbone of the business.
Q: What has been your biggest achievement?
A: I set myself a goal to climb Kilimanjaro in 2016. Despite having had multiple constructive hip surgeries, I was able to push myself to the limits. It was by far the most physically challenging experience and I proved to myself that it’s definitely mind over matter!
I often recall this tough experience and use it as my crutch during difficult times, knowing that I overcame such a physical and mental challenge.
Q: Favourite country/city to have visited and why?
A: Last year, we had an amazing opportunity to spend five weeks in the UK as a working family, timing events with Krono Sports.
My stepchildren both live in London so it was a perfect opportunity to connect as a family. We loved venturing out every day, taking different forms of transport. The younger children loved travelling on the bus!
London is definitely a city that never sleeps and there was so much to do and see for everyone. One of the highlights of our trip was going to the theatre to watch The Lion King.
Q: Favourite SA holiday destination?
A: We love visiting the Mother City, mostly as my sister and her family have relocated there and we are so fortunate to have visited so many times. Though the ocean is freezing, we do love visiting the beach in Blouberg and the views it offers of Table Mountain — it never gets old!
And of course, the wine farms! Each time we try a different venue and they are all set up with beautiful play areas to keep the children busy so the parents can enjoy some vino.
Q: What makes you call Gqeberha home?
A: I was born here, schooled here, and created my own businesses here. What I love about GQ is that it’s actually a small community where friends support friends and people genuinely like to support local!
Q: Strangest branding request you’ve ever received?
A: A bride-to-be brought in a pair of underpants to brand for her soon-to-be-husband. The branding she wanted on the undies was “Under New Management”. It was classic!
Q: How do you deal with a difficult customer?
A: One of my love languages is talking, so for me it’s about communication, being clear, and mostly listening with intent. I also believe in addressing the situation as quickly as possible.
Q: How would you like to see ZBrands grow over the next five years?
A: It’s been an incredible first five years in the branding industry and I’m so proud of what we have already achieved. Honestly, ZBrands has exceed all our expectations! We purchased our own property in 2023 and I still have so many dreams to extend/renovate the property to accommodate more production space.
We are also working very hard to extend our network and introduce new customers to ZBrands.
Q: When you are not working, what do you enjoy doing?
A: One of my favourite things to do is go for a family walk or bike ride with our dog, Barron, around our suburb in Walmer, especially on weekends when we are not at a Zsports event.
I also love pottering in my garden, watering my indoor plants, and chilling on the couch, watching a movie. I’m also a bit obsessed with sudoku and love building puzzles.
Q: Do you have any quirks/superstitions/phobias?
A: I cannot walk under a ladder or anything with a frame without having to walk back under it the same way.
Q: If you had a warning label, what would it say?
A: “Warning: Talks to everyone!” They might even add in the small print “especially in supermarket queue or on a flight”.
Q: If you could be a man for 24-hours, how would you spend that time?
A: I’m pretty sure we can already do all things a man can do but since I don’t play golf, I always marvel at the idea of how men can spend the whole day hanging out with their colleagues or friends, enjoying the outdoors and doing some exercise all at the same time.
It sounds like a perfect day! You’ve given me an idea to rally up a few ladies and try this just for fun!
Q: Tell us something about yourself no-one else knows.
A: I’m really terrible at closing cupboards doors! If you don’t believe me, ask my husband!
