Alchemy Virtual Media’s approach is simple — no-frills, personalised and affordable.
Jade Botha’s goal is to offer small and medium sized businesses a cohesive brand identity, professional digital marketing, as well as attention-grabbing copy that speaks to their specific audience.
The 28-year-old entrepreneur prides herself in giving all her clients the personal touch every business needs when it comes to digital marketing.
Please share some background on yourself and how the business was started?
I started Alchemy with the dream of working for myself, doing what I most enjoy — writing and sharing my creativity. I had worked in corporate for a few years but it left me feeling very unfulfilled and uninspired. I started Alchemy while working a full-time job so that I could set the foundation before spreading my wings. A beautifully chaotic time, and deeply rewarding.
What is your core service?
All things digital marketing, copywriting and corporate stationery.
What makes your business unique?
My personalised service. I think the personal touch gets lost in big marketing firms because there are so many creatives and so many clients. When you deal with Alchemy, you deal only with me, and it is so important that I get to know your vision and what you want your business to achieve.
What are some of the biggest inhibitors your business faced before getting off the ground?
Balancing my business at the rapid pace it was growing while still working full time.
Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners?
Don’t overthink things. I promised myself that if I was to really give this business a chance, I would have to let go of the doubts and overthinking, and just focus on the work. So my advice is to develop a clear plan, trust yourself, and produce the best work/product you are capable of.
What are some of your biggest challenges in day-to-day business operations and your particular industry?
Balancing each day’s long list of content and tasks to get through.
What is the best advice anyone gave you on success?
Don’t sweat the small stuff, focus on the work, and the rest will fall into place.
How do you measure or define success in your business?
My success is measured by how happy my clients are, as well as how I feel about the work I’m doing. I am my biggest critic, so if I create something I’ve gone over 100 times and I’m genuinely proud of it, then I feel I can confidently pat myself on the back.
What are some of the best practices that have made your business successful?
Developing genuine relationships with my clients, delivering work as efficiently as possible and always maintaining good channels of communication. In a one-woman-show business like mine, people are drawn to personalised service and dealing with a content creator who is approachable, warm and professional.
What type of advertising do you do?
I advertise my work on Instagram, Facebook, and my website. I am so busy with my clients’ social media that I must admit mine has fallen by the wayside. Being busy is a good problem to have, but I am definitely going to dedicate more time to growing Alchemy’s platforms.
What is your company’s vision?
The word “Alchemy” means “a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination”. My overall vision for my company goes further than digital marketing. I would like to discover other industries that interest me and that would be a good fit for my brand.
What is your target market?
My target market is the small- to medium-sized business that is looking for a professional presence on social media but isn’t wanting to spend as much as an in-house marketing professional would cost. I cover this role in full, but remotely, and for a fraction of the cost.
What have some of your highlights been in running your business?
First, the incredible people I have started working with on various projects. One project will actually be taking me to the stunning Isibindi Africa Lodge near Durban, for an entire week of creative work in September. Second, the lifestyle I have been able to have since working for myself — flexibility, creative freedom and the room to grow professionally in a way that feels authentic.
How important is social media and an online presence for your business?
Before a client can trust you with their business they want to see what you can do. I’m so grateful to be able to say that every one of my clients has requested my services based on referrals or word-of-mouth and this is thanks to the power of social media.
How many people do you employ?
None. I’m a one-woman-show.
Do you have any plans for expanding the business, and how would you go about this?
Honestly, I would love to keep growing on my own and taking on new exciting projects. My business is steadily getting to the stage where I could actually bring in an additional creative to lighten the load, but I would have to first give that some serious thought.
How did you acquire funding for the business?
Any money I needed to spend on starting my business came from my own pocket. Disciplined saving and a solid plan was crucial.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your business journey so far?
I’ve learnt a lot in terms of my career, but the greatest affirmation my business journey has given me is that you can have the life you’ve dreamed of — the flourishing business, the beautiful home life, the financial stability. If you’re willing to work for what you want, you can have it.
What have been the greatest challenges and advantages of running your business in a city such has Gqeberha?
One of the advantages of starting my business in Gqeberha is that there is a gap in the market that suits what I offer. In the same breath, people often aren’t willing to invest in their digital marketing to the degree that businesses in Cape Town or Joburg are.
What do you say are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur?
Great communication, strong people skills and a consistently good work ethic.
What do you say are the key traits of a successful employer?
Fairness, lack of ego, defined personal parameters and boundaries.
What do you wish people knew about your industry?
There is so much more that goes into content than what you see in that post or 30 second video. Very few people understand the amount of time, editing and creativity it takes.
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