It’s not every day that siblings are able to work together, but for Megan Walker and Michael Strachan, the family business has brought them closer.
Megan and Michael were born just 18 months apart, and have always been close. “While we are different in many ways, we’ve managed to find common ground and enjoy each other’s company,” says Michael. “Throughout our lives, we’ve had countless fun moments together and have supported each other through thick and thin.”
Michael was teaching in Pretoria and Megan was working at an accounting firm in Cape Town, but they were both feeling restless and wanted to start something new. When COVID-19 hit, they ended up back in KZN, where they grew up. “This gave us the time to start thinking about what we wanted to do next,” explains Michael. “We were both passionate about the concept of probiotics, and believed that probiotics could play a major role in improving skin health.” And so, the siblings began work on Bree Probiotics, a skincare company based in Umhlanga.
The range works by populating the skin with good bacteria, which act as a protective shield and maintain a healthy microbiome.
“Working alongside my sister has been a unique and rewarding experience,” says Michael. “The greatest thing about working together is that trust will always be there.”
“We treat each other as siblings first before we are business partners. It’s nice to know that we’re there for each other and it definitely makes the hard times easier. On the one hand, we know each other inside and out, so we can communicate effectively. On the other hand, we can also be brutally honest with each other, which can sometimes lead to conflict!”
Working together is certainly not always easy. Michael admits that it can be difficult to strike a work-life balance. The brother and sister duo also differ from each other quite considerably – Megan excels in finance, while Michael is better at the marketing side of things. “Instead of letting these differences create a rift, we view them as opportunities to complement each other’s skills and create a stronger team,” says Michael.
“A highlight of working together is the amount of time we get to spend with each other. Our shared passion for our business brings us even closer, and we genuinely enjoy working together on building our brand.”
A portion of all sales from the business is donated to the Angel Care Centre in Howick. The centre provides nourishment and education to children in need, as well as essential items like sanitary pads and blankets. Having attended school in the Midlands, Michael has a personal connection with the organisation. “We wanted to support a cause that we genuinely understood and believed in, ensuring our contribution made a real impact. Supporting a local charity was essential for us because we wanted to give back to the community that has supported us,” he says.
Details: www.breeprobiotics.co.za, @breeprobiotics
