Claudia Folgore-McLellan, a South African creative entrepreneur helping brands connect with audiences — Lionesses of Africa

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

I do believe I am a born entrepreneur; it takes a certain type of person to weather the storms of owning one’s own business – I think it also takes a fair dose of madness. I have always had a desire to be self-employed. My ultimate goal, however, is to build a resilient, sustainable business that ultimately contributes to the greater success of our country and economy.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

I would like to grow Visual 8 and have it become an umbrella brand for a number of other related business ventures I’ve taken an interest in over the years. I have a few ideas that may come to fruition this year, with some skillful collaborations. I would ideally like for Visual 8 to also extend its reach globally – I’d love to work with clients through Africa, UK and Europe.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Knowing that everything I have, I have worked for myself – the satisfaction and pride that comes from having achieved, even the smallest of goals, when running your own business cannot be described. With every step, you realize your potential is greater and it often feels like you’re trying to beat yourself in a challenging game of chess. The learning that comes daily with entrepreneurship is invaluable.