The Founder Files

This week, we welcome Mike Scott, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of NONA digital (acquired by Yoco) to The Founder Files. He shares his practical lessons from his impressive career and personal growth journey. Tune in as we discuss: - The psychology of entrepreneurship - How Mike's past has shaped his identity - Survival mindset of a first-time founder - Mistakes Mike made in his first business - How Mike scaled NONA Digital - The importance of market positioning - What it was like to be acquired --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

A lot has changed since we last had Christiaan van den Berg from JOBJACK on the podcast! In this episode, Christiaan returns to share their impressive journey from pre-product market fit to scaling a successful SaaS business. In just a year, JOBJACK, now a leading recruitment platform in South Africa, has attracted over 3 million users, raised significant funding, and doubled their team. To understand how they did it, we get into: How JobJack found their traction and selected winning markets. The secrets behind creating a great user experience. Identifying repeatable value propositions for sustainable growth Approaching investment rounds and securing a 45 million rand pre-series A round Building a robust leadership team and scaling operations Balancing personal life with being a founder With practical insights on investment, leadership, and operational scaling, this episode is packed with actionable advice for entrepreneurs in South Africa. Tune in now! --- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more: ⁠⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠⁠ --- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on this episode with your network --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

In this episode, we welcome Paul Cook, the co-founder and managing director of Silvertree Brands. Join Cameron as he dives into Paul's incredible journey of building not just one, but a portfolio of purpose-driven, direct-to-consumer, and niche e-commerce businesses. Listen as they discuss: The innovative strategies behind Silvertree Brands' growth and portfolio selection Lessons learned from good and bad business models The critical importance of customer experience in scaling a business Transitions founders face when merging with larger groups The founder to CEO journey and founder exits Tune in for an engaging and insightful conversation filled with actionable takeaways and personal growth experiences. --- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more: ⁠⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠⁠ --- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on LinkedIn and tag Cameron Coutts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

In this episode, Steve Uria, the founder of SWEAT1000 & Switch Playground recounts his journey from Cape Town to New York, sharing key lessons and missteps in scaling a business internationally. From conducting due diligence on a napkin to navigating the complexities of franchising, Steve's candid story provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs looking to make a global impact Fuelled by passion and a relentless pursuit of wellness, Steve's story is not just about scaling a business—it’s about building a lifestyle that reaches across borders. Tune in for an unmissable blend of inspiration, practical advice, and the raw realities of entrepreneurship. ---- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve turns highly capable African founders into confident business leaders by helping them develop clear and comprehensive business strategies that make building a great sustainable business less complex. Reach out to our team to learn more: ⁠https://metavolve.co/⁠ --- To support The Founder Files: 🔔 Follow The Founder Files EVERYWHERE ⭐ Leave a review right here 💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Ever wondered how a strong vision can pivot an entire industry? In this candid chat with Murray Clark, Cameron Coutts gets up close and personal with the story behind Neighbourgood. Murray talks about turning challenges into a thriving real estate model in Cape Town, perfectly tailored for today's digital nomads and remote workers. He shares the ups and downs of disrupting the traditional property market by leveraging the experience economy and creating a unique coliving and coworking community. While he shares his scaling story, you'll get into the details of Neighbourgood’s strategic growth, including the recent acquisition of Local Knowledge. Tune in to get a real-life case study of how you can stay true to your vision while innovatively meeting market demands. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

What if building a startup from the ground up wasn't the only path to success as an entrepreneur? In this enlightening episode, we meet Andrew Swiler, CEO of Lanteria HR, who flipped the script by acquiring the business and catapulting it to new heights. Andrew explains how he secured investment within 15 minutes by showcasing the untapped potential of a business ripe for growth, emphasising customer longevity (LTV) over ARR and MRR metrics. If you've ever wondered about: - how to talk to VCs and secure your fundraising, - how to improve your customer retention and LTV, - what makes service components in SaaS appealing, - the cost and benefits of acquiring a business rather than starting from scratch, ... this episode is your treasure trove of insights. Tune in for a candid conversation where they unravel the not-so-talked-about strategies of customer retention, long-term value over short-term gains, and the surprisingly low-cost path to scaling a business that's been plateauing. Tune in for a session that might just redefine your approach to scaling and exiting. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

What if you could hardwire loyalty into your customers and employees? What if performance and rewards were seamlessly interlinked across your entire business? Scaling expert Cameron Coutts sits down with Ross Drakes, CEO of Nice Work, to explore how Web 3.0 could transform traditional business models from the ground up. Learn how NFTs, tokenisation, and decentralised participation can reinvent brand experiences, employee profit-sharing, and organisational structures. Tune in now if you're ready to find new ways to build community, retain talent, and distribute value. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Join Cameron Coutts as he sits down with Mac Lackey. From achieving eight-figure exits in his twenties to experiencing the roller coaster of financial ups and downs, Mac offers an unfiltered look into his journey. With six companies under his belt and countless lessons from each, Mac shares invaluable insights on building a business, the transition from startup to scale, and the importance of thinking ahead. In this episode, you'll dive deep into the significance of surrounding yourself with the right team, the reality behind material-driven goals, and the pivotal strategy of beginning with the end in mind. Tune in now! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

In this episode, Cameron Coutts and Lisa Illingworth dive deep into the intricate dynamics of founder-investor relationships. They share valuable insights on building trust, setting realistic expectations, and managing the evolution of these critical partnerships. From early-stage nurturing to exit planning, they explore key strategies for maintaining integrity and transparency. Whether you're a founder seeking investment or an investor looking to understand the founder's perspective, this episode will give you new insights on building and maintaining healthy, long-lasting founder-investor relationships. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Join Cameron Coutts and Garreth van Vuuren, the Founder of RAPT Creative Agency, for an episode packed with tips for success in the advertising world. Garreth shares some of the lessons he's learned as an entrepreneur and founder of a marketing agency: The dangers of achievement obsession Strategies for hiring top talent from the beginning The unique value of human capital Why maintaining 80% capacity is crucial Adapting processes as the business is scaling --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Join Cameron Coutts for a conversation with Tom Manners, co-founder of Clockwork, as he shares how his communication agency is finding a new market positioning after running for 12 years and building a team of 150 people across South Africa, the UK and the US. In this episode, you'll learn how the business maintained a disciplined strategy rhythm, made tough decisions about tempting opportunities, and evolved while staying focused. Tune in now! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Join us as we delve into the captivating journey of Nick Dreyer, co-founder of Veldskoen – the iconic South African footwear brand that has conquered 32 countries in just six years. Discover how their commitment to authenticity and innovation led Veldskoen to international success, attracting investors like Ashton Kutcher along the way. Tune in to delve into the philosophy that guided Veldskoen's growth, exploring the strategic decisions, challenges faced, and values that have been pivotal in shaping their global footprint. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

There's a 83% drop-off rate in African startups finding product-market fit and scaling. Caleb Maru, the founder of Tech Safari, brought this statistic to shed light on the unique hurdles faced by early-stage founders in Africa's diverse startup landscape. We explore the nuances of ecosystem maturity and the contrasting perspectives on international expansion prevalent in different regions, including Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. Discover how Tech Safari plays a pivotal role in amplifying startup stories, offering valuable lessons and inspiration. As Caleb predicts an acquisition season on the horizon, we discuss the impending transformations within Africa's entrepreneurial sphere. Tune in for a captivating conversation that uncovers the dynamics of African startup growth and gain Caleb Maru's expert insights into what lies ahead for the rest of 2023 and beyond. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Join Cameron for an enlightening episode as he sits down with Brent Spilkin, a seasoned entrepreneur and business coach. Together, they uncover the crucial indicators of success for entrepreneurs striving to grow and scale their businesses. Brent will share his practical insights in three key areas: defining growth, identifying the right founder, and recognizing business success indicators. You'll also learn how to optimize networking skills, develop resilience, and align financial goals with personal aspirations. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Discover the extraordinary story of Dennis and Leonard, Co-Founders of TROOP, as they're surpassing the typical startup lifecycle expectations. In 15 months, they went from series A where they raised $8 million to series B, where they raised $11 million while scaling their team from six to 40 people. Join us as we extract valuable insights from their journey towards building an epic business, including the power of obsession, deliberate hiring, strategic partnerships, and cultivating a strong company culture in a remote setting. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Join Cameron as he chats with Howard Mann, a seasoned Professional EOS Implementer, for a transformative discussion on how self-limiting beliefs can hinder business growth. Discover why the belief that you must excel at everything as a business owner is problematic and learn practical strategies to overcome these barriers. Howard's expert insights will help you challenge your pride, delegate effectively, and embrace a growth-oriented mindset. Uncover the keys to unlocking your full potential and propelling your business towards sustainable success. Don't miss this empowering episode! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

As a founder, you have the power to call the shots, but are you making the right moves? Join Cameron Coutts as he chats with Shameer Sachdev, Founder of Growth Gorilla, about avoiding four common blunders when scaling your brand post-product-market fit: Ignoring feedback and missing out on growth opportunities. Hiring multi-hyphenate juniors instead of strategic thinkers. Not prioritising the tests and measurements of your efforts. Not being intentional enough with your goals and channels. Tune in for valuable insights and avoid the pitfalls of decision-making in your marketing journey. ---------- This episode is brought to you by ⁠Metavolve⁠. Metavolve is a team of focused experts who want scaling entrepreneurs like you to succeed 👉 ⁠contact our team⁠ Do you have a scaling business and valuable insights about your industry? ⁠Be our next guest! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Forget purpose; Rich ignites his entrepreneurial fire by getting pissed off! For this first video episode of The Founder Files, Cameron Coutts takes you for a wild ride as they dive into the world of persuasion with Rich Mulholland, Founder of the presentation powerhouse Missing Link. Join us for a dose of audacious inspiration as we uncover the unconventional wisdom behind embracing frustration as a springboard for personal growth. ---------- This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve is a team of focused experts who want scaling entrepreneurs like you to succeed 👉 contact our team Do you have a scaling business and valuable insights about your industry? Be our next guest! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

Welcome to The Founder Files - the podcast that's like eavesdropping on a conversation with a successful entrepreneur over a fireside chat. Join me, Cameron Coutts, for this unique experience of unfiltered stories and insights from scaling founders around the globe, as they share their ups, downs, and everything in between. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message

In this episode, I'm chatting with Adams Smith and Mark Mars, Co-Founders of Make Lemonade. Despite the steep learning curve, entrepreneurs have significant opportunities to monetise their content. For this reason, we break down the two main monetization approaches for content websites: advertising and affiliate marketing.  We also explore the importance of understanding your niche and the challenges of digital marketing and website monetization.Join us for this fascinating conversation on generating passive income through content websites.This episode is brought to you by Metavolve. Metavolve is a team of focused experts who want scaling entrepreneurs like you to succeed 👉 contact our team Do you have a scaling business and valuable insights about your industry? Be our next guest! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thefounderfiles/message