Happy birthday, EasyEquities

Work hard, play hard, make money and have fun. That’s the EasyEquities ethos, and it’s pretty much what we stand for at CN&CO as well.

On 27 October 2015, EasyEquities demonstrated the “play hard” and “have fun” elements of this statement at its first birthday party. The EE crew has spent more than 12 months working hard and making money for its clients, so it was time for a little R&R.

“We fully subscribe to the EasyEquities way of doing things, especially the way they manage their relationships,” says CN&CO’ Carel Nolte. “I’m not just talking about their client relationships, which are superb, but also their relationships with their colleagues, suppliers, friends and families – all of whom were represented at the birthday event. They’re our kind of people, and that’s why we love working with them.”

The theme of the party was Carnival, which was suitably celebratory for such an auspicious occasion.

CN&CO’s Colin Ford (the jester) and Josie Dougall (blue hair) with a group of clients and friends

“Yes, we had loads of fun,” says CN&CO’s Colin Ford, “but we also built relationships. I had memorable conversations with Ronald Gall of Global Choices, Christelle Fourie-Colman of MUA, Michelle Padayachee of Fulcrum, Christo Crafford of Martha’s Mojo, not to mention many Purplistas (people who work at Purple Group) who I don’t necessarily deal with on a day-to-day basis – Waylon Smit, Paul Khweyane, Piru Harington, Maryke Duvenage, Bryan Stewart among others.

“So now we’ve had these conversations, lubricated by a bit of wine, and one day, if a journalist asks us to refer a share trader or a working mother or a small business entrepreneur or person in a mixed-race relationship for an interview, we’ll know who to call. That’s what it’s all about.”

The rest of the CN&CO team was there, as well – Josie Dougall, Kurt Solomon, Gabbi Rego, Gianluca Tucci, Rob Christian and Rikus Kok, who did a fantastic job organising the event.

“Event management is a new avenue for us,” says Rikus. “We take a very people-orientated approach to events, rather than trying to create a big wow. Not that there’s anything wrong with a big wow, of course, but we believe that the guests are the most important part of any function. They need to be at the centre of everything.

The CN&CO team take a selfie

“Sometimes there’s too much staging and lighting and music and drapes and and and … and it can be overwhelming. So we prefer to keep the event as simple as possible and get the guests to bring the gees.”

This approach has worked really well for us so far in the events we’ve run for Livingstone Crichton, GT Private Broking and King Price.

The EasyEquities event was certainly festive! Guests went to town when putting their outfits together and many stayed way past their bedtime.

“It was a pleasure to work with the CN&CO team on our birthday event,” says EasyEquities brand manager Romi Appel. “Nothing is too much trouble for these guys. They’re quick to take the initiative and aren’t afraid to get stuck into whatever odd job needs doing. What a team!”