For many women, juggling a career and family is a constant act of balance. But for Natalie Collard, a mother of two and the founder of Fenn Collection, it was during maternity leave that a brilliant idea was born. This Women’s Month, we celebrate her journey of turning a simple need into a thriving South African and global ecommerce business, powered by a seamless partnership with Payfast.
A brand born from a mother’s ingenuity
The story of Fenn Collection began in 2015 with a vision for timeless and versatile designs. While on maternity leave, Natalie dreamt of creating a spacious yet stylish bag that could carry her daily essentials and baby items. This dream bag was named after her daughter, Fenn, a name chosen for its strong, resilient and feminine attributes.
This core ethos is woven into every product. The brand’s signature Scandinavian-inspired design, clean lines and minimalist aesthetic empower women to express their unique style through interchangeable inners and handles. “This unmatched versatility ensures there is a Fenn bag for every mood and occasion, from the iconic Original Fenn tote to the compact Cross Body Fenn bag,” said Natalie.
Fenn Collection’s journey from a home-based business to a global brand was challenging. As Natalie recalls, the biggest obstacle was securing the initial capital to start.
“By keeping costs to a minimum and running operations from our home garage for the first five years, my husband, Brennon, and I were able to grow the brand organically, focusing on quality and innovation,” said Natalie.
What makes Natalie’s story even more inspiring is that she balanced the launch and growth of Fenn Collection with her long-standing career in the wine industry, where she has been a buyer at the family-run Wine-of-the-Month Club for nearly two decades.
Partnering with Payfast by Network for a seamless checkout
As Fenn Collection grew, so did the complexity of managing orders and payments. They needed a reliable payment gateway that could match the professionalism of their brand. This led to them partnering with Payfast in 2016. “Looking at the options at the time, Payfast was easy to sign up and set up,” said Natalie.
Payfast’s platform provided the stability and security that Fenn needed. “With a wide variety of payment options, including Instant EFT, credit cards and more, it gave customers the convenience they demanded. This streamlined process was a game-changer for our business, helping to reduce abandoned carts and boost conversions,” said Natalie.
A key feature for Natalie and her team is Payfast’s reporting on transactions, which provides a great tool for tracking daily, weekly and monthly sales. “This data-driven insight helps us make informed business decisions, allowing us to focus on crafting new products and expanding our reach,” said Natalie.
Scaling an ecommerce empire, from Cape Town to the world
Fenn Collection’s success story is one of remarkable growth. The brand now has a strong physical and online presence:
- South Africa: Fenn Collection supplies to around 150 stores nationwide, from apparel boutiques to luggage stores.
- Africa: The brand has expanded into neighbouring countries, with a presence in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Global Reach: The brand is available in the US, UK, Australia and the UAE, working with partners who wholesale to stores and sell directly to customers.
This impressive growth highlights the importance of unified commerce, which integrates all sales channels to provide a seamless customer experience and create new opportunities for the business.
Celebrating female entrepreneurship this Women’s Month
Natalie’s passion is evident when asked what it means to be a female entrepreneur. She is inspired by seeing women rise up and “back themselves” while juggling multiple roles. She sees her business as a platform for collaboration, where she can hire and work with other like-minded women.
Natalie’s advice to other aspiring female entrepreneurs is heartfelt and powerful:
“Believe in yourself. If you have a dream and are confident about it, go for it! There will be a lot of blood, sweat and tears along the way… Embrace the challenges. Embrace all the ups and downs and come out stronger on the other side.”
She also highlights the power of networking, reminding us that valuable insight and support can often be just a conversation away. Fenn Collection’s journey is a powerful testament to the resilience and vision of female entrepreneurship. It’s a story of a South African brand that sells products and inspires confidence, strength and elegance in women everywhere.
Ready to turn your passion into a thriving business, just like Natalie? Discover how Payfast can help you achieve your ecommerce goals by contacting our Sales Team.