Another day, another place, another adventure. Natasha, Werner and their dogs Bekker Blaf and Pepe( the goofy animal sidekicks as promised) decide on Paarl. By now Werner has successfully founded four optometry practices and he has a feeling that his fifth one could be something special. For that, it needs to be different. Natasha and Werner brainstorm and at once it hits them like a wave: they are Afrikaans, Paarl is an Afrikaans city, why not open an authentically Afrikaans practice?
The idea of Bril is conceived, a mere grain of sand in an ocean of eye care. Bril is a short name, easy to remember and even easier for his prospective clients (with presumably poor eyesight) to read. The business gains traction and, although Afrikaans is part of the brand’s identity, clients of all vernaculars are drawn to the punny new optometrist in town. Werner and Natasha decide to make Bril a personal expression – a place that reflects their own views. He values happiness and

honesty, and Natasha values loyalty and going the extra mile. These become Bril’s four core values. He makes Bril yellow, the colour of joy, and she brings light and colour into his store. Natasha looks after the employees’ wellbeing and introduces a drink-at-the-door policy to make clients feel more at home when they enter the store. Werner injects his own punny sense of humour into the brand and does not shy away from laughing at himself. Finally, they add a lot of heart. They start a charity in their local community and use the profits from Bril to fund free eye exams and discounted glasses for people in need.

As Bril grows into a franchise – with branches in Stellenbosch, Val de Vie, Pretoria, and George, Werner and Natasha still ask themselves where they can improve and do things different. Their openminded approach to change is the key to Bril’s success. Quirky, punny, exciting and genuinely caring. Bril’s future looks more than bright, it shines a yellow-gold.