South Africa, July 24 -- Brandfundi turns 11 this August, a significant milestone in a business environment where longevity cannot be taken for granted.

A 2025 study in the Southern African Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management estimates that family-owned companies account for about 80% of South African businesses and roughly 60% of those listed on the JSE. Yet more than 60% reportedly do not transition successfully to the next generation.

For Brandfundi's founder and managing director, Michelle Cave, the anniversary is less about longevity itself than what the boutique, owner-led structure makes possible for clients. "Eleven years is meaningful to us, but longevity only matters to a client when it translates into be...