Although it sometimes requires a lot of juggling, Ballito business owner and mother of four, Bonita Cherry, is living proof that women can successfully do both.
“I never saw myself as a career woman. I always only ever wanted to be a mom and preach the gospel,” laughs petite Bonita, seated in the chic boardroom of her Ballito-based marketing and e-commerce agency.
“But I fell in love with this business, and brand development, because it allows me to breathe destiny into the lives of people.”
Bonita and her husband Dylan, who have been married since they were 21 and 31 respectively, are the founders and co-owners of Outlook Orange – a creative business development agency that aims to build meaningful brands.
The couple moved to Ballito from Kloof just under five years ago and have four children – Mila (11), Sam (9), Layah (7) and little Anna, who is 14 months old.
One would never say, seeing her in her work environment, that this stylish no-nonsense company director has four children at home, let alone one under the age of two. But, as one of five children herself, it was almost inevitable that Bonita, who is very close to her siblings and parents, would one day have a large family of her own.
Having once suffered from debilitating asthma, Bonita says she experienced God in a real way at a very young age, after being healed instantly. “It was a pivotal moment for me and I knew I wanted to serve Him from then on.”
After school, Bonita started a BA in English and psychology at UKZN, but became frustrated trying to balance work and studying, as she was paying for her own tertiary education. She transferred to UNISA in her second year to manage her time and make more money. “I was working three jobs. I would wake up early and study from 3am so I had the rest of the day to work.”
When Bonita met her husband Dylan, who worked in design and trend forecasting at a top advertising agency, she knew he was the one she wanted to spend her life with.
“I prayed for a husband who would allow me to be exactly who I was called to be, and Dylan is that. He has never stopped me, although there are times when he does have to reel me in,” she laughs, “but he has always supported me and his patience and calm balance me.”
After working in sales for a few years Bonita realised it wasn’t for her and she wanted to pursue a career that would enable her to be creative. Her first taste of brand development came when she started doing the marketing for a five-star game lodge called Nambiti Hills.
When Dylan left his job to start Outlook Orange in 2009, Bonita joined the company a year later.
I absolutely love what we do and the process we go through to build a brand. We unpack the meaning and purpose of the brand, look at its values and marry that with their meaningful vision for impact.
When an amazing job opportunity came up for Dylan, a talented digital marketing specialist, with Mr Price in 2011, Bonita took over running Outlook Orange on her own. Over the next 10 years things changed vastly and the business continued to grow. The couple had two more children and they moved their offices from Kloof to Ballito just a few months before the Covid pandemic hit. “We always dreamed of living on the North Coast and this really was the best decision we’ve made.”
When the pandemic lifted, Bonita says the business just grew and grew and, since Dylan re-joined the business a year ago, it has doubled. “We are now a team of 12 and are so happy. Moving here was a bold step, but definitely the right one. Our staff are incredible and we really are like a family.”
Juggling her family and business is challenging, but Bonita makes things work with the help of an au pair a few days a week, a home helper and her very hands-on, dedicated husband.
“I want other moms to know that no matter how hard it gets juggling kids and business, they shouldn’t ‘throw in the towel’. It just makes too much dirty laundry! Pursue your dreams and make it happen. Get the help you need and trust God.”
Details: www.outlookorange.com
