Born to Build
Born to Build is a podcast featuring conversations with the builders, founders, and pioneers driving change from the ground up. Each episode highlights the real stories of SME owners - how they started, what they've overcome, and what keeps them building their business. It's honest, practical business insight from those shaping their industries one bold move at a time, equipping you with the tools to build and grow YOUR business.
Episodes
Most Startups Build Apps. He Built a Toilet - Jonny Harris, Arumloo
n this Born to Build episode, Jonny Harris shares his journey from civil engineering in the UK to building innovative sanitation solutions in Africa. He unpacks the founding of Isidima, the lessons learned from launching a consultancy with a purpose, and the five-year journey of developing Arumloo — an ultra-low flush toilet inspired by the Arum Lily.Jonny also explains how nature-based engineerin
Portable Power and Purpose-Driven Building - Weyers Marais, Helt
In this episode of Born to Build, Weyers Marais, co-founder of Helt, shares the story behind building a South African energy tech company focused on ultra-rugged portable power systems and the bigger vision driving it all. From early Frankenstein-style prototypes and engineering setbacks to building proprietary battery systems and learning how to earn trust in the market, Weyers gives a rare behin
Youth Aren’t the Problem, They’re the Solution - Anton Cuyler, Sozo
In this Born to Build episode, Anton Cuyler shares how a calling led him from the UK to Vrygrond — and how a simple youth initiative grew into the Sozo Foundation, transforming young lives through education, skills, and opportunity.We unpack the realities of building in a deeply challenged community, the moment that nearly made him walk away, and why Sozo believes youth aren’t the problem — but th
They Pivoted Their Startup… and 10X’d Growth - Adrian Hope-Bailie, Fynbos
In this episode of Born to Build, Adrian Hope-Bailie shares his journey from early web development and global fintech roles to building Fynbos, a platform helping South Africans take control of their savings and investments. He unpacks the pivot from a global digital wallet to a locally focused investment platform, and the realisation that most people don’t need complexity, they need clarity and c
Why “People Buy From People” Still Wins in Sales - Mel Martin, Sales Intel
In this insightful interview, sales strategist Mel Martin shares her journey from shy introvert to sales expert, her innovative AI-powered sales training program, and practical tips for entrepreneurs to boost their sales. Discover how to build confidence, generate leads, and leverage human skills over tools for long-term success.Chapters(00:00) Introduction to Sales and Personal Journey(02:32) Tra
Making (Parent) Sense - Meg Faure, Parent Sense
Meg Faure didn’t set out to build a tech startup — she set out to help parents. But when she saw the scale of confusion and overwhelm facing modern families, she knew her work needed to go beyond the consulting room.In this episode, Meg shares how she transitioned from occupational therapist to founder of Parent Sense, building a parenting app rooted in science, empathy, and trust. We talk rapid p
Hacking Human Potential: Inside the Mind of an EdTech Builder - Peter Turner, Beeline
In this conversation, Sam and Peter Turner discuss the innovative approach of Beeline, a company that leverages AI to transform corporate training for frontline workers. Peter highlights the shortcomings of traditional training methods and explains how Beeline's platform can streamline the instructional design process. They explore the use of WhatsApp as a delivery channel for training, emphas
Under Construction - Week 15
Under Construction is the real, unfiltered story of building a business while it's actually being built. 🚧No fake 'overnight success' stories here, just raw progress, messy middle moments, and the behind-the-scenes grind of turning an idea into something real. Each episode dives into what's working, what's breaking, and what's being rebuilt (again). Think of it as a front-r
How a Devastating Fire Sparked a Sustainable Energy Solution - Vincent Mosebe, Mosebe Enterprise
Vincent Mosebe shares how a devastating shack fire in 2020 became the spark behind Mosebe Enterprise — a mission-driven startup creating affordable, sustainable power solutions for underserved communities. He opens up about overcoming limiting beliefs, building products through real community listening, and why leadership means developing people before technology. Vincent also reveals his ambitiou
Under Construction - Week 9
Under Construction is the real, unfiltered story of building a business while it's actually being built. 🚧No fake 'overnight success' stories here, just raw progress, messy middle moments, and the behind-the-scenes grind of turning an idea into something real. Each episode dives into what's working, what's breaking, and what's being rebuilt (again). Think of it as a front-r
From Journalism to Marketing Mastermind - Buhle Lindwa, Lindwa Communications
In this Born to Build episode, Buhle Lindwa shares how her journalism roots shaped her storytelling-first approach to digital marketing, the leap of faith that launched Lindwa Communications, and the lessons learned in the messy first year of business. She opens up about working alongside her sister, helping clients grow with purpose, launching LC Academy, and how faith sustains her through burnou
Barefoot shoes made with soul - Nicole van Besouw, Common Tread
What if your child’s shoes were quietly shaping their posture, balance, and long-term development?In this episode, Sam sits down with Nicole van Besouw, co-founder of Common Tread, the South African barefoot shoe brand born in a small home workshop and built with heart, craftsmanship, and purpose. Nicole shares how her occupational therapy background, her husband’s engineering mind, and their fami
Under Construction - Week 7
Under Construction is the real, unfiltered story of building a business while it's actually being built. 🚧No fake 'overnight success' stories here, just raw progress, messy middle moments, and the behind-the-scenes grind of turning an idea into something real. Each episode dives into what's working, what's breaking, and what's being rebuilt (again). Think of it as a front-r
Under Construction - week 6
Logo reveal!!! 🎨Under Construction is the real, unfiltered story of building a business while it's actually being built. 🚧No fake 'overnight success' stories here, just raw progress, messy middle moments, and the behind-the-scenes grind of turning an idea into something real. Each episode dives into what's working, what's breaking, and what's being rebuilt (again). Think of
From Chaos to Clarity with the Entrepreneurial Operating System - Phillip Mcelu, MCE Solutions
What happens when a founder decides to run his business on EOS and actually sticks with it? Phillip Mcelu, founder of MCE Solutions, takes us inside the systems, people, and mindset behind building a tech business that works with precision. A grounded, practical look at what it means to lead with clarity and scale with discipline.Chapters:(00:00) Intro — From the Ground Up(01:03) Early Spark: From
Under Construction - Week 5
Under Construction is the real, unfiltered story of building a business while it's actually being built. 🚧No fake 'overnight success' stories here, just raw progress, messy middle moments, and the behind-the-scenes grind of turning an idea into something real. Each episode dives into what's working, what's breaking, and what's being rebuilt (again). Think of it as a front-r
Can Tech Fix Government? - Ashley Skippers, GovERP
In this conversation, Sam interviews Ashley Skippers, the founder and CEO of GovERP, a platform aimed at modernising government operations in South Africa. Ashley shares his journey from a technical background in banking to founding GovERP, driven by frustrations with existing government processes. He discusses the challenges of building a business in the public sector, the importance of subject m
Under Construction - Week 4
Under Construction is the real, unfiltered story of building a business while it's actually being built. 🚧No fake 'overnight success' stories here, just raw progress, messy middle moments, and the behind-the-scenes grind of turning an idea into something real. Each episode dives into what's working, what's breaking, and what's being rebuilt (again). Think of it as a front-r
Startup, scale-up, acquired - The Libryo Story Part 3, Raising Capital with Malcolm Gray
Malcolm Gray, co-founder of Libryo, joins Born to Build to unpack the real story behind raising capital and growing a mission-driven startup. He shares what it took to win over investors, the emotional highs and lows of the journey, and the leadership principles that guided Libryo from idea to acquisition. A must-listen for founders navigating growth, grit and purpose.Chapters(00:00) Introduction
Under Construction - Week 3
The big reveal! In this episode I reveal what it is that is under construction... Under Construction is the real, unfiltered story of building a business while it's actually being built. 🚧No fake 'overnight success' stories here, just raw progress, messy middle moments, and the behind-the-scenes grind of turning an idea into something real. Each episode dives into what's working, w
Startup, scale-up, acquired - The Libryo Story Part 2, Garth Watson
In this conversation, Sam chats with Garth Watson, co-founder of Libryo, about the company's culture, foundational principles, and the journey of building a successful remote-first business. They discuss the importance of intentional culture, the role of fun, the concept of 'margin calls', and the significance of hiring the right people. Garth shares insights on how God and community p
Under Construction - Week 2
In this conversation, Sam reflects on the metaphor of building a cathedral to illustrate the importance of long-term vision in business and community development. He emphasizes the need for businesses, particularly in Africa, to create jobs and uplift communities, while also sharing his personal conviction to build ventures that align with his faith. The discussion highlights the transformative po
Startup, scale-up, acquired - The Libryo Story Part 1, Pete Flynn
From start-up highs to near collapse and back again.Peter Flynn, co-founder of Libryo, joins Sam to share the unfiltered story of building a company through vision, chaos, and courage. .. from its humble beginnings to a global acquisition. Real lessons in leadership, resilience, and what it means to keep building, no matter what.This is part 1 of 3 where we look at the Libryo story from different
Under Construction - week 1
Welcome to the first episode of "Under Construction". Here I talk about the start of my entrepreneurial journey... how I'm documenting everything through this vlog. I reflect on my past jobs, what pushed me to start my own thing, and why I believe small and medium-sized businesses are so key to tackling unemployment in Africa. I try to keep everything as raw and unedited as possible
How a Nairobi Makerspace Ended Up Building Raspberry Pi Boards - Kamau Gachigi, Gearbox
He's helping Africa move from consuming tech to creating it.In this conversation, Dr. Kamao Gachigi shares his journey from academia to entrepreneurship, highlighting the importance of industrialization for economic development in Africa. He discusses the founding of Gearbox, a makerspace and hardware accelerator in Kenya, and its mission to empower innovators and entrepreneurs. Dr. Gachigi ex
Funding, freshness & free range: What it takes to build a local food grocer - Brandon Bayman, The Barn
In this conversation, Sam and Brandon Bayman discuss the inception and growth of The Barn, a values-led grocer and eatery in George, South Africa. Brandon shares insights into the challenges of starting a food retail business, the importance of customer experience, and the strategies for sourcing local products. He emphasises the significance of cash flow management, building a positive company cu
Rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship education - Sandras Phiri, Pranary Business School
In this conversation, Sam and Sandras Phiri discuss the transformative approach of Pranary, an AI-focused business school that emphasises practical education over traditional academic methods. Sandras shares his personal journey from computer science to entrepreneurship, highlighting the gaps in conventional business education and the importance of real-world application. They explore the philosop
Is coaching the missing piece in your business growth? - Harry Welby-Cooke, ActionCOACH
In this episode of Born to Build, Sam sits down with Harry Welby-Cooke, the powerhouse behind ActionCOACH South Africa, to reveal why business coaching is the secret weapon of thriving entrepreneurs.From his leap out of corporate banking to building Africa's most impactful coaching network, Harry shares hard-hitting truths, success stories and practical tips to help founders scale faster, work
Meet the AI that finds your next employee - Sasha Knott, Job Crystal & Crystal AI
In this conversation, Sasha Knott, Global CEO of Job Crystal and Crystal AI, shares her entrepreneurial journey from waitress to tech leader, discussing the challenges and triumphs of building a recruitment platform that integrates AI with human empathy. She emphasises the importance of finding the right team, navigating funding, and balancing technology with the human touch in recruitment. Sasha
Stop the scroll: Lisa Aspeling on storytelling that sells - Anago Marketing
In this episode of Born to Build, Sam speaks with Lisa Aspeling, a serial entrepreneur and marketing strategist, about the importance of storytelling in branding, the process of crafting a clear brand story, and the significance of building trust with customers. Lisa shares her insights on creating engaging content that resonates with audiences, the innovative journey of launching the Flower Cafe
From street snack to nutrition hero: TenX Nutrition fighting malnutrition in Kenya - Fabio Rappenecker
In this episode of Born to Build, Sam speaks with Fabio Rappenecker, co-founder and CEO of TenX Nutrition, a social enterprise in Kenya that is transforming the traditional street snack, Mandazi, into a nutritious food option to combat malnutrition. Fabio shares his journey from Germany to Kenya, the challenges of bootstrapping a startup, and the importance of understanding local culture and consu
From Workshop to Dream Homes: Inside Wayne Ballard's Coastal Kitchens Journey
What does it take to turn a passion for design and craftsmanship into a thriving business? In this episode of Born to Build, we sit down with Wayne Ballard, founder of Coastal Kitchens in Cape Town. Wayne shares his journey from humble beginnings to building a bespoke kitchen and furniture business that is trusted and admired. We dig into the early struggles, the big wins, the importance of craft,
How Koa Academy is reimagining education and online learning - Lauren Anderson, Koa Academy
What does it take to leave a career in public health and build one of Africa's fastest-growing online schools? In this episode of Born to Build, Lauren Anderson, CEO and co-founder of Koa Academy, shares the bold vision, creative grit, and practical steps behind reimagining modern education. From early funding wins to smashing myths about online learning, Lauren takes us inside the journey of
The sauna on wheels making waves at Cape Town's beaches - Jari Salminen, ShuShu Sauna
Sauna's are becoming a thing on Cape Town's shores. In this episode of Born to Build, we meet Jari Salminen, a Finnish-Canadian carpenter with sauna in his soul, who's heating up Cape Town's coast one wood-fired session at a time. Discover how Jari brought the deep-rooted Nordic sauna experience to South Africa's beaches, overcame unexpected business challenges, and built a bra
Socks made her jump Feat. first into business - Chelsey Wilson-Roos, Feat.
What starts as a sock obsession becomes a bold creative business. In this episode of Born to Build, Sam chats with Chelsey Wilson-Roos, founder of Feat., a Cape Town based brand known for its playful, design-led products inspired by South Africa's wild beauty. Chelsey shares the highs and hurdles of building Feat. into a joyful, local-first brand that stands out. Expect honest stories, thought
Life's a grand little adventure when you turn passion into a career - Tabitha Mee, Grand Little Adventure Photography
In this episode of Born to Build, I sit down with my sister Tabitha Mee to unpack her inspiring journey from side hustle to successful photography business owner. From launching Illuminate Photography to pivoting into Grand Little Adventure, Tabitha shares what it really takes to build a brand from the heart, navigate change, and keep showing up when the going gets tough. If you've ever though
More than charity...bringing hope, breaking despair - John Thomas, Living Hope
What does it take to build something that truly transforms lives - across health, family, addiction recovery, agriculture, and more? In this powerful episode of Born to Build, we sit down with the founder of Living Hope John Thomas to explore the spark behind a bold vision, the challenges of scaling a multi-faceted organisation, and the leadership values that have anchored it for decades. From sto
The People Playbook: Terine Lott-Cupido's Journey from Corporate HR to Entrepreneurial Impact
What does it take to leave a corporate career and build a business that transforms others? In this episode of Born to Build, we sit down with Terine Lott-Cupido, founder of EmpowerLink Services, an award-winning HR consultancy shaking up the SME space in South Africa. Terine shares the leap of faith that led her from multinational boardrooms to empowering entrepreneurs with the people, processes,
The law firm with soul: Grant Gunston’s 30-year business journey
What does it take to build a business that lasts three decades? In this episode of Born to Build, I sit down with Grant Gunston, founder of Gunstons Attorneys (now GSR Law), to unpack his 30-year journey of building a legal firm with heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to people. From the grind of starting out to navigating succession, Grant reveals the leadership lessons, personal growth, and d
My mother-in-law started a radio station... the story of Radio CCFM with Avril Thomas
What happens when faith, vision, and timing collide at a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history? In this episode of Born to Build, I sit down with my mother-in-law, Avril Thomas — co-founder of Cape Town’s iconic Christian community radio station, CCFM. From the station's humble beginnings post-Apartheid to becoming a voice of hope across the city, Avril shares the story of CCFM’s birth, the bat
From Offshore Rigs to Backyard Gigs: One Man’s Climb Into Business - Dave Pena, Highworks Tree Services
What do deep-sea rigging and backyard tree cutting have in common? More than you think.In this episode of Born to Build, Sam sits down with Dave Pena, the daring founder of Highworks Tree Services, to unpack how a career in high-risk offshore rope work became the foundation for a precision-driven, values-led business on land.Dave opens up about the moment he knew it was time to make a change, the
A Sure Break in Uncertain Times: The Story of Shorebreak Café - Andre Gouws
What kind of person opens a café during a global pandemic? Meet Andre Gouws - community builder, optimist, and founder of Shorebreak Café in Fish Hoek. In this energising episode of Born to Build, Andre shares how he launched his business when the world was shutting down, what it means to create a "sure break" in a seaside town, and how community beat capital in the early days of his sta
Nothing but the Naked Truth - Sheralyn Cloete, Naked Truth Project SA
In this heartfelt episode of Born to Build, Sam sits down with his wife, Sheralyn Cloete, to share the raw, behind-the-scenes journey of launching Naked Truth South Africa - an organisation tackling the heavy realities of p😶rn addiction with grace, grit, and hope.Whether you're a founder, a faith-driven builder, or someone passionate about transformation, this episode will stir your heart and
From selling peanut butter and fake Nike T-shirts to Accounting Network - Heinrich Grové, SA Accounting Network
In this inspiring episode of Born to Build, we sit down with Heinrich Grové, a relentless entrepreneur whose journey started with peanut butter sales and fake Nike T-shirts - and led to founding one of South Africa’s most dynamic accounting communities.At just 19, Heinrich dove headfirst into entrepreneurship. From building a driving school with 10 instructors to founding the SA Accounting Network
From Engineer to Automation Maverick - George Smith's Blueprint for Building Boldly - Harmonic Automation SA
What does it take to turn a spark of curiosity into a thriving automation business? In this episode of Born to Build, Sam sits down with George Smith - founder of Harmonic Automation SA - to uncover how he went from studying at UCT to solving operational headaches for businesses through tech.We dive into:- The moment that launched his company- Real-world automation wins and pitfalls- Where the fut
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