Albert Bredenhann

It gives me great pleasure to introduce our next Izimvo interviewee, Albert Bredenhann.

Having recently left a very successful career in IT to follow his passion, Albert, at the age of 35, is now the proud co-owner of Pixel Pro Photography in Pretoria.

I’ve known Albert for a number of years and was very fortunate to really get to know him during his visit to Australia in 2008. I’ve yet to meet anyone with the same burning passion for the Internet and I’ll always be thankful for the time he spent with my family and I. I may be the only person alive who can claim that they got Albert Bredenhann to mow their lawn.

Website: http://www.pixelpro.co.za
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/albert.bredenhann
Summit TV Interivew: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22ydZYsEQaY
Location: Pretoria

Albert was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Interesting question, but I guess I would be announced as Albert, co-owner of Pixel Pro Photography and someone with too much passion for life.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Well, I am scared of heights but when I did skydiving I felt as free as a bird. My favorite movie is “Life is Beautiful”. Modern Talking is still the best band ever. (should I have said this out loud?)

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Dancing. Being on a dance floor with loud music puts me in another world all together. But then again, a classy restaurant with good wine, good food and my wife, that will make me get away from it all.

Business in South Africa

Q: As a South African entrepreneur, what advice you would offer would-be entrepreneurs wanting to start their own company?

A: Dream big and the most important one of them all … JUST DO IT !

Q: You’ve recently left a long and successful career in IT to pursue your passion for photography. Would you still recommend a similar move to other IT professionals having now been with Pixel Pro for over a year?

A: I think it is important that you find what you love to do and to do exactly that. We only live once and therefore you need to do what you are passionate about. You only get one chance !

Q: Which skills earned from your years in IT have been of most benefit to you in running Pixel Pro Photography?

A: Definitely my Internet skills. A knowledge of Google and SEO together with the Internet marketing principles that can be adapted to an offline business. No company can survive without the Internet.

Q: How has Pixel Pro made use of social media and have you seen a tangible benefit from its use?

A: Facebook was probably the best invention when it comes to Social Media, and to be in photography, the ripple effect of tagging someone in a photo is just priceless. We try and use almost every avenue such as Flickr, Youtube, Twitter, Facebook, Google, Blogging etc. I feel that every aspect of social media should be explored and used to its full potential. The Internet rocks!

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Not really, I think if you are negative, negative things will come your way, so I am positive … and I can see the positive things happening around me.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I lived in New Zealand for two years, and as recent as 2008 I thought about emigrating. I went as far as visiting Australia for a month to see if the grass is greener … but I have to admit, the quality of life that we have in South Africa cannot be beaten. The grass is definitely greener on that side, but there you have to cut it yourself.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: Eish … I think there are a few things I would do. One of them would be implementing an anti-crime tax as a percentage of corporate turnover. Imagine using a percentage of turnover from the likes of Vodacom and Telkom for policing. I would also double the education and health budgets.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Table Mountain, the Kruger Park and Soweto.

Life in Pretoria

Q: What is the best nightspot in Pretoria?

A: This is not allowed to be repeated (or copied), but it is Presleys. They are the only place still playing Modern Talking.

Q: As father, which restaurants in Pretoria do you consider being the most kid friendly?

A: It has the be Spur in Moreletta, Dros in Silverlakes and Plantland in Faerie Glen.

General

Q: Favorite South African sporting moment of the last 10 years?

A: I guess the answer would be one of the Rugby World Cup Finals. I am not such a sport fanatic so I guess it is a very cliche answer.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: The Road less travelled by Dr. M Scott Peck.

Q: Favorite South African band? Have you seen them live and do you own at least one of their albums?

A: Hmmm … I think there is still only one band .. Modern Talking … (smile)

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Gian from Afrihost.com

Albert mowing the lawn in Sydney.

Thank you to Albert for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish him and those at Pixel Pro all the best for the future and look forward to seeing their impressive portfolio grow from strength to strength.