accidental entrepreneur

Straight-talking, forward-thinking and ballsy as hell. We find out from industry-leading creative Leasha Naidoo what it takes to be at the forefront of change.

Is it possible for a creative to have a sound head for business and be tech-savvy to boot? Upon meeting Leasha Naidoo, you'll find the answer is a resounding 'yes'.

Since stepping into her role as Managing Director of innovative creative-tech agency Guerilla eight years ago, this self-proclaimed 'accidental entrepreneur' has worked tirelessly to provide clients with advertising campaigns and bespoke technology business solutions that colour well outside of the lines.

Poised to take on new challenges, Leasha is ready to lead her team and family through an exhilarating year of change and growth.

BREAKING BOUNDARIES

As a woman of colour, Leasha has dealt with her fair share of challenges working in mostly white, male-dominated spaces. She learned fast and hard that most industries, even the creative ones that claim to be more 'progressive', don't favour transformation. They talk the talk, but don't walk the walk.

'In my first few years in advertising, I kept quiet, too intimidated to speak up in meetings. I had a seat at the table of creative masterminds, but there was a lot of ego.

Despite being a qualified chartered accountant, I was often overcome by self-doubt. 'Would anyone really value what this Indian girl had to say?" In 2014, she joined Guerilla - the creative tech agency founded by her husband, Cameron in 2010 - initially 'to help with admin'. At ease in her new setting, Leasha quickly grew bolder, wiser and more confident. On paper she's now 'the boss', a role she has embraced as she has strategically grown the business and played a key part in diversifying the agency's contribution to the industry. Her hard work has paid off. In 2019, Guerilla launched a new offering called Foxtrot, an easy-to-use, web-based tech platform that helps businesses provide their customers with unique AR (augmented reality) experiences.