Celebrating a Decade of Growth, Surprises, and Unwavering Support!
BY LUKE PAOLA
Looking back on the past 10 years of HALP! Media…it has been quite an exciting journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Our humble beginnings in a small house, working two jobs to make ends meet while using a borrowed laptop, all feel like yesterday! We had a very simple plan, sell a few billboards, kick back for most of the year, and revel in passive income. Great idea in concept, but not so much in practice! It didn’t take long for us to realise that this was easier said than done. What ended up happening took us in exciting new directions, far from our initial expectations. Today, HALP! Media stands as a thriving Below the Line/Through the Line company (there are so many lines these days), specialising in activations, events, sampling projects, large-scale procurement, and most importantly, connecting with people directly and seeing their amazing responses!
Celebrating a Decade of Growth, Surprises, and Unwavering Support!
BY LUKE PAOLA
Looking back on the past 10 years of HALP! Media…it has been quite an exciting journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. Our humble beginnings in a small house, working two jobs to make ends meet while using a borrowed laptop, all feel like yesterday! We had a very simple plan, sell a few billboards, kick back for most of the year, and revel in passive income. Great idea in concept, but not so much in practice! It didn’t take long for us to realise that this was easier said than done. What ended up happening took us in exciting new directions, far from our initial expectations. Today, HALP! Media stands as a thriving Below the Line/Through the Line company (there are so many lines these days), specialising in activations, events, sampling projects, large-scale procurement, and most importantly, connecting with people directly and seeing their amazing responses!
We cannot skim over the elephant in the room – COVID-19.
As an event-based company, the pandemic hit us hard, leaving us uncertain about the future. Just as we signed a one-year lease agreement for a new warehouse, news of the pandemic broke. Talk about great timing! However, amidst the turmoil, our incredible team and loyal clients proved to be our greatest strength. Together, we brainstormed and devised a game-changing idea: sourcing and developing custom-built and branded bicycles to introduce to South Africa. This sparked a newfound direction for us. While the journey was filled with nail-biting moments, like anxiously waiting for the bikes to arrive (which they did, albeit two months late), we came out the other side still standing and in a better position than before. Thanks to our outstanding logistics team and understanding clients, we swiftly moved over 1000 bikes from port to depot to store in record time – an achievement that still leaves me in awe!
We cannot skim over the elephant in the room – COVID-19.
As an event-based company, the pandemic hit us hard, leaving us uncertain about the future. Just as we signed a one-year lease agreement for a new warehouse, news of the pandemic broke. Talk about great timing! However, amidst the turmoil, our incredible team and loyal clients proved to be our greatest strength. Together, we brainstormed and devised a game-changing idea: sourcing and developing custom-built and branded bicycles to introduce to South Africa. This sparked a newfound direction for us. While the journey was filled with nail-biting moments, like anxiously waiting for the bikes to arrive (which they did, albeit two months late), we came out the other side still standing and in a better position than before. Thanks to our outstanding logistics team and understanding clients, we swiftly moved over 1000 bikes from port to depot to store in record time – an achievement that still leaves me in awe!
This roller-coaster experience taught us an invaluable lesson: always factor in an extra two months for shipping!
However, it also opened up an exciting avenue for HALP! Media. We discovered a knack for creating and importing unique custom items for our clients, providing them with exclusive and unforgettable products. Moreover, we showcased our ability to source locally manufactured items and expertly manage their roll-out. From custom-built bikes to branded braais, from customized Vespas to bespoke shoes, the possibilities are endless!
This roller-coaster experience taught us an invaluable lesson: always factor in an extra two months for shipping!
However, it also opened up an exciting avenue for HALP! Media. We discovered a knack for creating and importing unique custom items for our clients, providing them with exclusive and unforgettable products. Moreover, we showcased our ability to source locally manufactured items and expertly manage their roll-out. From custom-built bikes to branded braais, from customized Vespas to bespoke shoes, the possibilities are endless!
The past decade has shown me that there are genuinely incredible people out there who want you to succeed. I am truly grateful for the unwavering support of my team and our clients throughout every triumph, mistake, personal challenge, and personal achievement. Their loyalty has been unmatched, and it is thanks to our hardworking team and devoted clients that we finally returned to the warehouse space that we have spoken about at length since the onset of the pandemic. It’s a remarkable way to celebrate a decade of HALP!
With 15 years of experience running events and activations under our belt, we are always ready to help brands and business owners run even more successful activation campaigns.