Radley Private School’s Grade 9 class visits Joe Public

As part of Radley Private School’s process of exposing the next generation of entrepreneurs to different types of businesses and today’s entrepreneurial role-models, the Grade 9 class was privileged to visit Joe Public United on Tuesday, 14 May. Joe Public United is Africa’s most successful independent brand and communications agency and has a staff complement of 300. The Grade 9s were hosted by Joe Public co-founder Pepe Marais himself, who treated the young entrepreneurs (learners) to a fascinating presentation about the business, the industry and the work that Joe Public does.

Before the presentation even began, the Radley entrepreneurs were eagerly asking Pepe questions, the first being, “Where does the name Joe Public come from?” Pepe replied that when the agency started it was with the aim of making advertising accessible to the man in the street, and to this day the agency creates advertising materials that are relevant and talk to everyday people.

This question was swiftly followed by, “How much cash does Joe Public make in a month?” To which Pepe, without blinking, replied, “If you open a business to make money, you will go bankrupt.” He went on to say that people should find work in life that they can pour their hearts into and the money will come later. Pepe believes that human beings have unlimited potential but that we think too much about money.

Moving on to the operational side of the business, Pepe went on to explain the agency’s business model. The process begins with the client briefing the account managers who pass the brief on to the strategy department which is tasked with finding market insights and deciding what platforms will work best. The brief then moves to the creative team before heading into production. Pepe also spoke of the finance and HR departments, making the point that people across a range of fields are employed by Joe Public, including two chartered accountants who head up finance.

Pepe then discussed the importance of leadership, saying even if you are not leading a team of people, you need to lead yourself. He spoke of how the school system currently over-relies on IQ as a measure for success, and explained his belief that emotional intelligence (EQ), spiritual intelligence (SI) and resilience intelligence (RQ) should all receive more focus.

Pepe’s presentation was followed by many questions from the eager entrepreneurs which he clearly welcomed and enjoyed. Upon being asked if he had always seen himself in the field of marketing, he replied, “Not at all.” He went on to say that while in school he had planned to become a civil engineer because the father of one of his friend was one and clearly making lots of money. However, at the age of 18, he discovered art and that he had a real talent for drawing. The rest is history.

Towards the end of the presentation, Pepe asked the Grade 9s if any of them had their own side hustle. One of the kids replied that he did photography and web design on the side, while another said he resold shoes. Clearly impressed, Pepe encouraged the whole class to start their own side hustles because of what it can teach them, and because it will help them to develop a strong work ethic early on.

He ended off by saying, “The more questions you ask, the more you grow so keep asking questions.” He urged them to question their teachers, their parents, their peers, adding that it is important to ask yourself while still young why you exist and why you are on the planet. He believes that the answer to this question is potentially more important in life than passion.

The Radley entrepreneurs ended off a very exciting visit with a tour of the impressive office building, each floor of which is dedicated to a different field in the brand and communications space.