CHANTELLE HALLETTE
Please tell us a bit about your company, PrintGap.
Print gap has been my very first “baby”, started in 2006, where my love for design coupled with understanding a client’s needs makes each of my “working” days an absolute joy.
To add to my love of my workdays and my need to please my client, I could have their work come to life by printing their actual designs.
How and when did you start the company?
My husband run his family owned print factory, where all our work is done in-house, so it made sense to do what I love and then offer the printing service to my clients at the very best prices.
What services do you offer?
Serves we offer: Design and Print. In a nutshell.
How difficult is it to compete against big companies that specialize in printing as well?
My then “boyfriend” and now my husband Eric was the one major influence for getting me started on my own, he gave me the confidence to give it a “go” and I’m so grateful he believes in me, 10 years later, it is still a thriving little business, bless with so many loyal clients still from the very first day I started. Thanks to word of mouth, it has grown from strength to strength.
I think we compete rather well in our industry as we are a family business which is all in-house thus very hands on, we get to offer not only the very best prices, but a quality end product too.
How difficult is it being a female entrepreneur? How has your journey been thus far?
Being a female in this industry hasn’t affected my in any negative way.
What inspired you to take the entrepreneurship route? Have you always been interested in starting your own business?
I was never interested in becoming my own boss, but I am truly so happy my hubby gave me the nudge in the right direction as it has turned out so well, I could never look back, I have the freedom of being a working mom, where balancing my time for family and work is privilege, I really feel I have the best of both world’s being in this position.
could never look back, I have the freedom of being a working mom, where balancing my time for family and work is privilege, I really feel I have the best of both world’s being in this position.
What is your key to success?
Key to success… I have always been a hard worker and given my very best in everything that I have set out to do, I believe that consistency is key and putting in time now will reap its rewards when the rewards are due.
What has been some of the defining moments/highlights of this journey?
Defining moments of this journey, would be interacting with clients and building up that personalised relationships, I am very proud of the clients I do work for and likewise, they know they can count on me when needed as I am always available when the “magic” needs to happen.
By
Melanie Pretorius