Fashion Lifestyle

Meet The People Behind Zando

Zando celebrates it’s 7th Birthday this year! As we look back on the highlights dating back to 2012, we also commemorate those who have been with us since the very start. See what they had to say below:

 

Questions Asked:

Your top professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years and why?

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando?

Describe the Zando culture in 3 words?

Your favourite staff party?

Funniest/or most noteworthy moments at work?

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?

Why have you worked here for so long?

Your favourite purchase on Zando?Favourite brand on Zando?

What kind of positive changes would you like to see at Zando in 2019?

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?

 

Gavin Schreiber 

 

Your top professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years and why?

– From marketing intern in 2012 to lead developer in 2018, I’ve had huge career growth.

– Being made part of the Zando Pro Team, I’m honoured to be considered part of the core team.

– Trips to our Porto tech center / Rocket offices in Berlin and meeting our extended family.

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando?

It has to be the startup culture. Everyone is driven to achieve our goals, and everything happens so quickly. The company is still small enough to know most colleagues by name.

 

Describe the Zando culture in 3 words?

Driven, energetic, competitive.

 

Your favourite staff party?

All white party – think it was sky deck (super fashionable) and a great party to boot.

 

Funniest/or most noteworthy moments at work?

– Best ever: Zando does the womp.

– Launching our first white label store.

– The IT aircon war – ask us about it, some serious death stares going around 😉

 

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?

I did temp work handing out flyers for Zando. I applied for a marketing intern position, and noted in my application that I had already done marketing work for Zando. Needless to say, I got the job.

 

Why have you worked here for so long?

At Zando, I am always learning and finding new challenges to overcome Zando has been very supportive from a family perspective. There is always room to grow, and I have always been supported with this.

 

Your favourite purchase on Zando? Favourite brand on Zando?

All the shoes I bought for my wife.

 

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?

Going the Extra Mile.

 

Lester Vermeulen

 

Your top professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years and why?

– Being promoted from photo editor to Graphic designer. It made me feel valued after long hours of work. 

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando?

I love the environment. They’re genuine and amazing people who actually care about you.

 

Describe the Zando culture in 3 words?

Fun, innovative and creative.

 

Your favourite staff party?

I don’t remember the year, but it was at the boat club near the V&A. We had great time and it was so relaxing. I got the chance to have a drink as we watched the sun set over the harbour.

 

Funniest/or most noteworthy moments at work?

When we believed that the studio was haunted due to the tribal masks that we were shooting at the time, some of them were so grotesque, I probably had nightmares that entire week. 

 

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?

I found it on Gumtree (I searched photoshop).

 

Why have you worked here for so long?

The company is forever changing and evolving. They always push you to better yourself and keep up-to-date with the latest trends and practises.

 

Your favourite purchase on Zando?Favourite brand on Zando?

Utopia. I bought a pair of shorts 4 years ago and still get compliments to this day for my bright red shorts. 

 

What kind of positive changes would you like to see at Zando in 2019?

I’d like to see Zando become the home of app innovation and explore more interactive shopping methods and after sale services ie. wardrobe inventory.

 

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?

Create a fun & positive team spirit.

 

Charly Branco 

 

Your top professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years? 

– Being praised by the MD for the most Facebook compliments back when I was still a CS Loyalty Advisor in 2013.

– Being promoted to Team Leader.

– Winning the Deliver Customer Satisfaction Value award thrice.

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando?

The people and culture.

 

Describe the Zando culture in 3 words?

– Change/Adaptability 

– Engaging

– Goals/Strategy

 

Your favourite staff party?

The All-white party at Zenith Sky Bar at the top of Cape Royal Hotel.

 

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?

A friend of mine used to work here ─ she always spoke to us about Zando. Another friend then started working at Zando and recommended me to the CS Supervisor.

 

Why have you worked here for so long?

I became really good at what I did as a CS Loyalty Advisor, and was given the opportunity to then be the CS Operations Liaison and then eventually promoted to CS Team Leader. I have always been recognised and given opportunities or some sort of award for my hard work and effort put in.

 

Your favourite purchase on Zando?Favourite brand on Zando?

Anything Adidas or Nike.

 

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?

Definitely ‘Delivers Customer Satisfaction.’

 

Donnique Burger 

 

Your top professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years and why?

Experiencing different roles within the company sums up two of my highlights ─ so working in customer service and then transferring into the content team. The other would be a few years back when I was still working in customer service and our team won best customer service in ecom that year.

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando?

The new changes and challenges that come with the evolution and growth of e-commerce. 

 

Describe the Zando culture in 3 words?

Diverse, lively, driven.

 

Your favourite staff party?

I think it was the black and white party, or the Great Gatsby one.

 

Funniest/or most noteworthy moments at work?

When we tried to recreate the harem challenge back when it was trending, was a lot of fun!

 

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?

I originally applied for content writing when Zando was still new to SA. So I discovered it through a job ad and then proceeded to browse the site online.

 

Why have you worked here for so long?

I’ve been given opportunities to grow my skills and gain valuable experience through working for Zando and that’s something worth staying for.

 

Your favourite purchase on Zando?Favourite brand on Zando?

A pair of Utopia jeans.

 

What kind of positive changes would you like to see at Zando in 2019?

Asian street fashion is something I think we could benefit from and also, seeing the company embrace technology and futuristic advances could be really exciting too for the future.

 

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?

Be creative, open-minded and adventurous.

 

Amanda Lepar 

  

Your top professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years and why?

– Having been with Zando from the start, I have had such a career growth in getting involved with all areas in the business not only in buying. I have a much wider appreciation of how our whole business operates from start to finish. 

– I have loved being part of the growth within Zando, especially seeing the brands grow within our portfolio, we used to have to bang down doors to get brands on board and now we have brands approaching us.

– I love working with local and international brands, to help them grow their presence in the SA Market and understand the online market.

– Being able to help mentor people and achieve their career goals, having team members get promoted within the company is an important focus for me.

– I love the autonomy one gets at Zando you can be a real entrepreneur, one has the ability to push for innovations to help the company grow no matter what level you are. If your idea is amazing it will get listened to and actioned.

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando?

My team is incredible, we work very hard but always have time for fun too. 

 

Describe the Zando culture in 3 words? 

Teamwork, Fast-paced, Flexible.

 

Your favourite staff party?

This year by far was the best ever (2019 Fiesta). Our team dressed as Vatos Locos and it was so much fun!

 

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?

I moved back from the UK after spending 15 years in the Retail world there.  I interviewed at various other Retailers and, by far, Zando was the most exciting environment. Even though there were only 10 people (if that) in the office, I could see the potential of Zando in the SA Market and it was no question that I would start my SA career with Zando.

 

Why have you worked here for so long?

I love the environment, no day is ever the same. The challenge in being the best fashion online store in South Africa is such drive personally to be involved within in my own department and other areas, this makes me motivated every day.

 

Your favourite purchase on Zando?Favourite brand on Zando?

Where do I start… My favourite purchase from 2018 is this Joy Collectables Kaftan. The back detail is just stunning and I always have compliments whenever I wear it. My favourite brand is Revenge

 

What kind of positive changes would you like to see at Zando in 2019?

I would like for us to start giving back and become socially responsible in helping SA, as well as look at becoming more sustainable within our company or getting out suppliers to look at using less packaging.

 

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?

Goes the Extra Mile.

 

Lucinda Mauritz 

 

Your top professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years and why?

– Moving from Loop street to Ndabeni and squeezing 30 people into 3 offices and 1 studio- but making my workflow ‘work’.

– Being part of the change where Studio became part of the creative processes of Zando. 

– Being part of the move to the new warehouse seeing the change in everyone’s attitude and work ethic, this has to be the best highlight to date.

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando?

I most enjoy my team and how we complete our daily hustle.

 

Describe the Zando culture in 3 words?

Fun, free but demanding. 

 

Your favourite staff party?

2016 Yacht club… and the after party at Arcade.

 

Funniest/or most noteworthy moments at work?

Most days when I’m working with models. The studio team is always funny and have noteworthy moments every day. 

 

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?

I applied for 3 different jobs and on interview I was hired for something completely different.

 

Why have you worked here for so long?

Brand loyalty and loving my job completely.

 

Your favourite purchase on Zando?Favourite brand on Zando?

Sneakers. Too many to mention. 

 

What kind of positive changes would you like to see at Zando in 2019?

More on-trend brands and target market specification.

 

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?

Creating a fun environment.

 

Nabeelah Viljoen 

 

Your top professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years and why?

– The Black Friday hype

– When we moved from black river park to Salt river

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando?

The people.

 

Describe the Zando culture in a word?

Fun.

 

Your favourite staff party?

The all-white party.

 

Funniest/or most noteworthy moments at work?

I don’t have a specific one, every day is funny as I work with a bunch of amazing people who make me laugh on a daily basis.

 

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?

A friend referred me.

 

Why have you worked here for so long?

I enjoy what I do.

 

Your favourite purchase on Zando? Favourite brand on Zando?

Shoes.

Utopia.

 

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?

Going the extra mile

 

Natolene Goliath 

 

Your top 3 professional highlights working at Zando over the past 6/7 years and why? 

– Being part on Liz Taberners team, she was a brilliant leader

– winning the #1 CS team in South Africa

– Being allocated to adidas & RBK accounts

 

What do you enjoy most about working at Zando? 

The Customer Service team spirit.

 

Describe the Zando culture in 3 words?  

Young, energetic, fun.

 

Funniest/or most noteworthy moments at work?  

The survivor challenge in the old CS department.

 

How did you come across the brand and subsequently start working here?  

My best friend at the time worked in BI and got me an interview via referral.

 

Why have you worked here for so long?  

I always loved coming to work here.

 

Your favourite purchase on Zando? Favourite brand on Zando?  

The best purchase was my 2 pairs of HUNTER boots. My favourite brand is Jeffery Campbell.

 

Which one of the Zando values do you represent most?  

Deliver customer satisfaction.

 

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