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Six Years of P.H.I: A Journey of Vision, Grit, and Growth

April 30, 2024
Jasmine Walters

It's time to celebrate a thrilling six years of People Have Influence!

Can you believe the whirlwind journey we've had since we embarked on this adventure at P.H.I six years ago? Time really does fly when you're having fun, hustling, and making waves in the ever-changing industry of influencer marketing. As we pause to mark this milestone, we want to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on none other than our visionary founder and CEO, Phi McCann, whose entrepreneurial spirit embodies the essence of our P.H.I spirit.

Building Blocks: Phi’s Past Experience Before P.H.I

Phi's journey towards founding P.H.I was marked by a passion for people,  marketing and a keen eye for untapped potential in the industry. From her early days as head girl to her studies at UCT - where she majored in marketing, media & writing, and neuropsychology  - Phi's determination and vivacious energy laid the groundwork for her future endeavours. Despite opportunities in prestigious agencies post her UCT studies, she was drawn to word-of-mouth marketing, leading her to intern at a smaller, specialised agency. Here, she gained over two and a half years of immersive experience, witnessing the potency of people-driven campaigns firsthand - including the viral R.I.P Trolley campaign for the launch of Takealot.com in 2015. 

However, despite the evident success of these endeavours, Phi recognised a gap in the market - the ability to measure the true value of people's influence in real-time ROI. This realisation struck her during a specific event for Jameson, where the challenge of creating a guest list prompted her to explore the idea of leveraging databases of people for marketing and guest-listing jobs.

CEO of Influencer Marketing Agency n South Africa named Phi McCann

Finding Purpose: How P.H.I Came to Be

Phi's unwavering belief in the power of collaboration and her keen eye for spotting undiscovered talent, armed with a heart full of ambition, led her to begin her journey. Inspired by her experiences and fuelled by a desire to empower others, Phi envisioned a platform to quantify individuals' impact on marketing efforts. After tirelessly searching for the right dev team that would truly understand her vision, the creation of an incredible partnership between P.H.I. and Humanz came to life.

After this powerful relationship was established, Phi set out on a mission to build a company that was all about people and their influence. Guided by her favourite mantra, "If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together," Phi envisioned P.H.I as more than just a business – it was to be a beacon of capturing authenticity and impact in a sea of sameness. To kickstart the business in 2019, Phi sought out to handpick a stellar squad of 20 individuals whom she believed had that special spark needed to shine in the influencer marketing realm. This early experience laid the foundation for what would later become P.H.I, emphasising the importance Phi placed on valuing people and their worth in every endeavour. And thus, P.H.I was born, embodying the spirit of collaboration and collective growth. Talk about setting the stage for greatness! As a company, P.H.I. has since collaborated with 2,061 distinct content creators across 223 campaigns during its six years in business.

From Solo Entrepreneur to Team Captain: Phi's Evolution as a Leader

Now that we know how P.H.I found its legs and where we have grown to today, let's talk leadership – Phi style. From day one, Phi has been the driving force behind P.H.I's meteoric rise, leading with a perfect blend of vision, grit, and a whole lot of heart. From flying solo to assembling a dream team of like-minded go-getters, Phi has successfully fostered an environment where every voice is heard and every idea is valued.

Phi believes in empowering her team to the fullest, up-skilling them with confidence to handle their own accounts and campaigns. She's not just a leader but a mentor, guiding her team members to unleash their full potential and thrive in the dynamic world of influencer marketing. Under Phi's leadership, P.H.I isn't just a workplace – it's a community where growth and success go hand in hand. P.H.I has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with – and we're just getting started!

Phi's Playbook: Tips for Marketing Mavericks

As we raise our glasses to celebrate six remarkable years of P.H.I, we also reflect on the invaluable lessons and insights that have empowered us to become leading industry trend analysts and powerful campaign managers. For all you future marketing mavericks itching to make your mark, here's a sneak peek into a few of Phi's tips and tricks:

  • Embrace collaboration: Success is rarely achieved alone. Surround yourself with talented individuals who share your vision and empower them to contribute their unique perspectives.
  • Stay adaptable: In an ever-evolving industry, flexibility is key. Be prepared to pivot and adapt to changing trends and circumstances, leveraging challenges as opportunities for growth.
  • Prioritise authenticity: Authenticity is the currency of influence. Stay true to your values and focus on building genuine connections with your audience, both internally and externally.
  • Invest in your team: Your team is your greatest asset. Take the time to invest in their development, provide opportunities for growth, and cultivate a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Thank You for all of Your Support Throughout the Years 

As our birthday month comes to a close, we're filled with gratitude for the journey we've shared and the milestones we've achieved. Here's to many more years of collaboration, growth, and making a positive impact together. Cheers to the next chapter of our adventure!

In celebration of our birthday month, we are gifting YOU 20% off your Pierre Jourdan bubbles from Haute Cabriere by using the promo code PHI20. Think of it as a birthday gift from us to you ! 

Want to get involved in the narrative? Brands, click here to share your goals and kick-start our journey together. Content creators, click here to find out how you can become a part of the P.H.I family. From client partnerships to influencer collaborations, your success is our priority, and it all begins with a simple enquiry. Let’s make history together! 

Liked this Blog? You May Be Interested In These:
Through The Eyes of an Employee at People Have Influence
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Five Years of Influence #BirthdayMonth
Five Years of Influence #BirthdayMonth

Six Years of P.H.I: A Journey of Vision, Grit, and Growth

April 30, 2024
Jasmine Walters

It's time to celebrate a thrilling six years of People Have Influence!

Can you believe the whirlwind journey we've had since we embarked on this adventure at P.H.I six years ago? Time really does fly when you're having fun, hustling, and making waves in the ever-changing industry of influencer marketing. As we pause to mark this milestone, we want to take this opportunity to shine a spotlight on none other than our visionary founder and CEO, Phi McCann, whose entrepreneurial spirit embodies the essence of our P.H.I spirit.

Building Blocks: Phi’s Past Experience Before P.H.I

Phi's journey towards founding P.H.I was marked by a passion for people,  marketing and a keen eye for untapped potential in the industry. From her early days as head girl to her studies at UCT - where she majored in marketing, media & writing, and neuropsychology  - Phi's determination and vivacious energy laid the groundwork for her future endeavours. Despite opportunities in prestigious agencies post her UCT studies, she was drawn to word-of-mouth marketing, leading her to intern at a smaller, specialised agency. Here, she gained over two and a half years of immersive experience, witnessing the potency of people-driven campaigns firsthand - including the viral R.I.P Trolley campaign for the launch of Takealot.com in 2015. 

However, despite the evident success of these endeavours, Phi recognised a gap in the market - the ability to measure the true value of people's influence in real-time ROI. This realisation struck her during a specific event for Jameson, where the challenge of creating a guest list prompted her to explore the idea of leveraging databases of people for marketing and guest-listing jobs.

CEO of Influencer Marketing Agency n South Africa named Phi McCann

Finding Purpose: How P.H.I Came to Be

Phi's unwavering belief in the power of collaboration and her keen eye for spotting undiscovered talent, armed with a heart full of ambition, led her to begin her journey. Inspired by her experiences and fuelled by a desire to empower others, Phi envisioned a platform to quantify individuals' impact on marketing efforts. After tirelessly searching for the right dev team that would truly understand her vision, the creation of an incredible partnership between P.H.I. and Humanz came to life.

After this powerful relationship was established, Phi set out on a mission to build a company that was all about people and their influence. Guided by her favourite mantra, "If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together," Phi envisioned P.H.I as more than just a business – it was to be a beacon of capturing authenticity and impact in a sea of sameness. To kickstart the business in 2019, Phi sought out to handpick a stellar squad of 20 individuals whom she believed had that special spark needed to shine in the influencer marketing realm. This early experience laid the foundation for what would later become P.H.I, emphasising the importance Phi placed on valuing people and their worth in every endeavour. And thus, P.H.I was born, embodying the spirit of collaboration and collective growth. Talk about setting the stage for greatness! As a company, P.H.I. has since collaborated with 2,061 distinct content creators across 223 campaigns during its six years in business.

From Solo Entrepreneur to Team Captain: Phi's Evolution as a Leader

Now that we know how P.H.I found its legs and where we have grown to today, let's talk leadership – Phi style. From day one, Phi has been the driving force behind P.H.I's meteoric rise, leading with a perfect blend of vision, grit, and a whole lot of heart. From flying solo to assembling a dream team of like-minded go-getters, Phi has successfully fostered an environment where every voice is heard and every idea is valued.

Phi believes in empowering her team to the fullest, up-skilling them with confidence to handle their own accounts and campaigns. She's not just a leader but a mentor, guiding her team members to unleash their full potential and thrive in the dynamic world of influencer marketing. Under Phi's leadership, P.H.I isn't just a workplace – it's a community where growth and success go hand in hand. P.H.I has blossomed into a force to be reckoned with – and we're just getting started!

Phi's Playbook: Tips for Marketing Mavericks

As we raise our glasses to celebrate six remarkable years of P.H.I, we also reflect on the invaluable lessons and insights that have empowered us to become leading industry trend analysts and powerful campaign managers. For all you future marketing mavericks itching to make your mark, here's a sneak peek into a few of Phi's tips and tricks:

  • Embrace collaboration: Success is rarely achieved alone. Surround yourself with talented individuals who share your vision and empower them to contribute their unique perspectives.
  • Stay adaptable: In an ever-evolving industry, flexibility is key. Be prepared to pivot and adapt to changing trends and circumstances, leveraging challenges as opportunities for growth.
  • Prioritise authenticity: Authenticity is the currency of influence. Stay true to your values and focus on building genuine connections with your audience, both internally and externally.
  • Invest in your team: Your team is your greatest asset. Take the time to invest in their development, provide opportunities for growth, and cultivate a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Thank You for all of Your Support Throughout the Years 

As our birthday month comes to a close, we're filled with gratitude for the journey we've shared and the milestones we've achieved. Here's to many more years of collaboration, growth, and making a positive impact together. Cheers to the next chapter of our adventure!

In celebration of our birthday month, we are gifting YOU 20% off your Pierre Jourdan bubbles from Haute Cabriere by using the promo code PHI20. Think of it as a birthday gift from us to you ! 

Want to get involved in the narrative? Brands, click here to share your goals and kick-start our journey together. Content creators, click here to find out how you can become a part of the P.H.I family. From client partnerships to influencer collaborations, your success is our priority, and it all begins with a simple enquiry. Let’s make history together! 

Liked this Blog? You May Be Interested In These:
Through The Eyes of an Employee at People Have Influence
Through The Eyes of an Employee at People Have Influence
Five Years of Influence #BirthdayMonth
Five Years of Influence #BirthdayMonth