Meet the Team – Owner, Cathlen Fourie

About me

I am a B2B Marketing and Communication specialist and copywriter. As the owner of CF Communications, I am responsible for the overall strategy and content creation for all clients. I have two children, aged 6 and 14.

What do you do?

I am the owner of CF Communications. I originally worked as a freelancer (since 2017, after the birth of my son) but registered the business in September 2019. I am responsible for strategy across all clients and am actively involved in all Marketing and Communication campaigns, Social Media Marketing, Content Marketing, Copywriting, and Podcast Production.

What did you study?

I originally studied Travel and Tourism but subsequently also completed studies in Journalism, Public Relations, Creative Writing, Business Writing, Business Management, and Social Media Marketing.

What was your first job?

I worked in the shoe department of Edgars when I was 16.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

I’ve always wanted to be an author, writing fiction and Young Adult novels. I adored Ruda Landman and she inspired me to go into journalism.

What has been your career highlight?

I have achieved some great professional milestones throughout my career. Notably, I served as the PR Account Manager for the highly influential launch of the King IV Code of Corporate Governance in 2016. Additionally, I have had the privilege of representing esteemed spokespeople including Dr. Mark Bussin from the South African Reward Association, Judge Mervyn King, and Professor Deon Rossouw from The Ethics Institute.

Founding and managing my own business has also brought me tremendous satisfaction.

Where is home?

I live in the beautiful holiday town of Dwarskersbos in the Western Cape. I’ve always wanted to live in the Western Cape and when I had the opportunity to move, I had to decide between the West Coast, where I’d be closer to my parents, or Blouberg, which is my favourite part of the Western Cape. I wanted my children to be closer to my parents, so I chose Dwarskersbos.

How do you spend your weekends?

With two young children, we usually go to the beach or on road trips exploring the coast.

What’s your favourite movie?

I have so many but if I have to choose it would be Only You and The Notebook. I enjoy the romance and end-of-days genres.

If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

100% Sushi! Although, truth be told, any meal I don’t have to cook myself is a winner!

Which destination is on your bucket list to visit?

I would love to travel to Greece, Vatican City, Italy, and Lapland.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Taking long baths!

What piece of advice can you give aspiring business owners?

My advice is not only to aspiring business owners but to anyone following their professional passion. Never stop learning. I believe in Continuous Professional Development and consider it one of the most important areas any professional should invest in.

What is the best part of your job?

I love it when I connect my clients and the media! When a journalist calls me and asks to interview a specific client on current affairs, the rush that follows when I make all the necessary arrangements, briefing the client, ensuring they have all the details, and know what to say and not to say… And then afterward debriefing the client and celebrating with them. It’s a beautiful career to be in!

Find out more about Cathlen.

Visit Cathlen’s blog.