Startup School

In this episode we chat with Anya Kovacs and Meg Ringdal, the founders of Hubba Hubba, a Cape Town-based brand on a mission to create inclusive, comfortable, and fun knickers for everyone. Frustrated by the lack of options for all body shapes and sizes, Anya and Meg launched Hubba Hubba to offer panties made from […] The post Startup Story: Meg and Anya of Hubba Hubba appeared first on Startup School.

In this episode we have the pleasure of speaking with Thabiso Magodi, a recipient of one of our prestigious grant funds and the cofounder of Vachellia Beverage. Thabiso, along with his friend and business partner Siyabonga Sangquthu, launched Vachellia Beverage in 2017 with the vision of creating Africa's leading luxury vodka brand. Their journey from […] The post Startup Story – Thabiso Magodi of Vachellia Beverage appeared first on Startup School.

We got to catch up with Stephen Burrow from Softer. This is a fantastic story about persistence, networking and building a South African brand in collaboration. Softer is on an exciting trajectory! Have a listen to the developments. Take a look at the website to see the work in reality! www.veldskoen.softer.co.za The post Startup Story: Softer, making powerful collaboration a reality appeared first on Startup School.

Sibusiso Kekana (Sibu) is not one to shy away from learning something new. It was during the COVID-19 pandemic that Sibu spotted the opportunity to start ‘Riverside Sustainable Solutions' an innovative farming company that has big plans. Have a listen to the podcast. The post Startup Story: Sibusiso Kekana of Riverside Sustainable Solutions. appeared first on Startup School.

Sisi Nxumalo is a visionary South African entrepreneur and founder of SoulShooz, a sustainable footwear company based in South Africa that prides itself on its unique approach to fashion and environmental responsibility. Have a listen to her incredible story. The post Startup Story: Sisi Nxumalo of SoulShooz appeared first on Startup School.

Tumelo Ratala is a dynamic Limpopo based entrepreneur operating out of Bochum. Tumelo founded Senwabarwana Pavements & Copy Shop, a Pavements Installation company and an internet cafe. He embarked on his entrepreneurial journey in 2017 and is now a proud alumni of the Startup School. Have a listen to his entrepreneurial story. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram under the name; Tumelo Ratala & Senwabarwana Pavements & Copy Shop The post Startup Story: Tumelo Ratala all the way from Bochum appeared first on Startup School.

Mongezi Masombuka is a successful entrepreneur and founder of UDARKIE, which is a lifestyle fashion brand known for its unique designs and high-quality products. With a passion for creativity and innovation, Mongezi has built UDARKIE into a brand that resonates with its customers from different walks of life. Have a listen to his story! The post Startup Story: Mongezi Masombuka of UDARKIE appeared first on Startup School.

Have a listen to the interview Startup School did with Zanele recently here. Zanele is an incredible individual who is well positioned to launch a very promising career within the medical industry, but while she's working on that she has also launched a small business that is making a big change! The post #21 Startup Story: Yemfundo Project, making change real appeared first on Startup School.

In this episode we talk with Stephen Burrow, co-founder of Softer and Alum of the Startup School. Stephen talks to us about the journey of his startup; the growth from launch to date; as well as what it has been like to become a supplier to a big retail firm.  For ease of reference, here […] The post #20 People Matter Series – A Startup Story with Stephen Burrow from Softer – Episode 3 appeared first on Startup School.

Episode 2 Communication Communication Communication The post #19 People Matter Series – Why Entrepreneurs need to understand and work to develop their people – Episode 2 appeared first on Startup School.

Episode 1 of the series, “What is People Development and why do I need to understand it?” Why do you as an entrepreneur need to invest in your people? Your business is dependent on people. The people in your operation, whether that operation is big or small, are pivotal to its success. But humans are complex. To […] The post #18 People Matter Series – Why Entrepreneurs need to understand and work to develop their people. appeared first on Startup School.

We recently sat down with Jaryd Riazon, founder of Trusted Interns and the Shift Tomorrow movement. This is a story of how entrepreneurship meets social impact; a story packed with hope, inspiration and the strong sense that we can do more, together. Find out how Jaryd became the leader of a local business providing unemployed […] The post #17: Jaryd Raizon: The entrepreneur bringing a global job market to South African youth appeared first on Startup School.

The pandemic and resulting lockdown restrictions have had devastating consequences for many startups and small businesses. Being a sales and marketing platform for over 100 self-employed creatives in South Africa, Kamers Makers knew that they had to adapt, and quick! In this episode of the Entrepreneur on the Grow podcast, we join their Chief Creative […] The post #16: Creativity in the time of Covid-19: How Kamers Makers tripled online sales during lockdown appeared first on Startup School.

Join Jared and Jackie, Startup School’s Lead Business Coach, to chat about entrepreneurship, leadership, and how the two coincide. Jackie shares her wealth of knowledge and experience on mindset, self-awareness and other key skills and characteristics that enable entrepreneurs to lead themselves, their teams and their businesses toward success. Finally, Jackie talks about the Leadership […] The post #15: Entrepreneurs as leaders: An interview with Startup School’s Lead Business Coach appeared first on Startup School.

When Paul Jacobson, a qualified chef and animal enthusiast, invested in a small pet food business almost 20 years ago, he had a vision. Today, that vision is called Vondis, and they’re stocked in nearly 300 retailers around South Africa. Paul sits down with Jared to talk about how they did it, and the importance […] The post #14: From a team of 4 to 30: The secrets to Vondis’ success appeared first on Startup School.

In this episode of the Entrepreneur on the Grow podcast, Jared sits down with one of the founding members of ParkUpp, a local tech startup that’s revolutionising parking in South Africa. This woman, and this business, boast a string of accolades that are hard to ignore. Palesa Moloi talks about the milestones they’ve achieved, the […] The post #13: The Story of ParkUpp: Placing parking in the hands of the people appeared first on Startup School.

Daniela Samakosky, founder of Walk the Talk Africa, joins us in this thought-provoking episode of the Entrepreneur on the Grow podcast. Join our Head of Education, Jared Kruger, as he sits down with Daniela to discuss socially and environmentally responsible entrepreneurship, and the role that startups can play in community upliftment and upcycling. Discover the […] The post #12: Are you walking the talk? A story of sustainable entrepreneurship in action appeared first on Startup School.

In this insightful episode of the Entrepreneur on the Grow podcast series, Jared Kruger sits down with corporate-climber turned startup-star, Ryan Amory. Drawing on his experiences as Startup School alumnus and founder of Africa Made Only, Ryan talks about the challenges and rewards of leaping into entrepreneurship, and the difference between working in your business […] The post #11: Africa Made Only: Becoming a small business with big impact appeared first on Startup School.

Jared chats to one of the bravest, humblest and most inspiring female entrepreneurs of our time in this exciting episode of the Entrepreneur on the Grow podcast series. Joy Ezeka, founder of the Zuri and Imani textile and surface design studio, tells us about her deeply personal journey of self-discovery and self-empowerment. She talks about […] The post #10: The woman who turned pain into passion, passion into purpose, and purpose into profit appeared first on Startup School.