MICHAEL ‘MIKIE’ BENNETT

CEO, Grafton Studios

On Fatherhood:

It’s the most important thing, to me; to watch your children grow and become the best of themselves is probably the most rewarding and fulfilling thing. It’s filled with sacrifices, commitments and challenges. I keep marvelling at the capacity of love and patience I have for my children.

Father to: Stacy, Kimala, Nicholas, T’Jean, Ty, Jordan, and Kali Bennett

Ages: 39, 38, 35, 28, 26, 26, and 5 years old, respectively

What’s the story behind your children’s name?

T’Jean was named by his godmother, who insisted on the name. We all fell in love with the name since it was obviously French. Kimala is actually a wonderful misspelling of a name her mother had been saving: Kamala.

Nicholas’s name was inspired from the popular old sitcom Eight is Enough.

*None of the three names which include Ty, Jordan or Kalee were researched…

What were your immediate thoughts at the birth of your children?

Two years before T’Jean’s birth I had embarked on a musical career and saw my finances almost depleted. My musical career had just turned the corner with a good publishing deal and partnership and his birth marked the beginning of a time of prosperity and international musical acclaim. With each child I marvelled at my own capacity to love them almost immediately; my thoughts fast-forwarded to the joys and challenges their development would present.