The Founder Files

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.