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 the solution.

It’s a powerful conversation about purpose, resilience, and building something that truly changes lives.

Chapters:

(00:00) Welcome & Anton’s Calling(01:24) Leaving the UK & Stepping Into the Unknown(05:57) Arriving in Vrygrond & Finding Purpose(14:19) From Youth Club to Sozo Foundation(17:46) Why Life Skills Matter as Much as Technical Skills(24:17) A Near-Death Experience That Changed Everything(31:05) Becoming Part of the Community(34:38) Youth as the Solution to Unemployment(35:54) Building Access & Breaking Down Barriers(41:01) Dignity, Ownership & Transformation(45:53) Measuring Success: Jobs, Growth & Sustainability(50:30) From Empathy to Action — What We Can Do

Check them out:
https://sozo.org.za

About 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.

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 confidence.

We dive into the psychology of money, why so many people struggle to take action even when they know what to do, and how Fynbos is simplifying personal finance through guidance, automation, and trust. It’s a practical and honest conversation about building in a complex industry, staying long-term focused, and creating products that genuinely help people.

Chapters:

(00:00) Welcome & Adrian’s Background(01:30) Early Entrepreneurship & Building sarugby.com(06:00) Entering the World of Payments & Fintech(10:00) From Digital Wallet to Fynbos Money(15:05) The Pivot to Savings & Investment Accounts(18:30) Exploring Ideas That Didn’t Work(21:45) The Real Problem: Confidence with Money(24:30) From Guidance to Execution(26:30) Building for the South African Market(31:30) The Future of Personal Finance & AI(36:10) Building Trust in Fintech(39:30) Growth Through Referrals & Customer Delight(42:30) Lessons from Building a Company(46:00) Work, Life & Founder Balance(47:10) Rapid Fire Questions

Check them out:
https://fynbos.money

About 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.

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) Transitioning from Sales to Coaching
(05:19) The SPRINT Program Explained
(08:26) Key Sales Strategies for Entrepreneurs
(11:02) Building Confidence in Sales
(13:49) Human Skills vs. Tools in Sales
(15:14) Starting a Business: Sales Strategies
(17:36) The Role of AI in Sales
(20:18) Simplifying Sales with AI
(23:18) Celebrating Wins and Building Habits
(26:13) Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts

Find them here: https://salesintel.co.za

About 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.

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 product development during COVID, fundraising as a female founder, the tension between clinical integrity and commercial growth, and why purpose — and team — carry you through the hard seasons.

Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction to Parent Sense and Meg Faure's Journey

(01:09) Transitioning from Clinical Practice to Tech

(05:05) Building the First Version of Parent Sense

(10:38) Balancing Technology with Human Touch

(13:25) Navigating Business Decisions in Early Childhood Development

(17:19) The Challenges of Fundraising and Leadership

(24:58) Finding Purpose and Support in Tough Times

(28:13) The Vision for Future Generations

(30:24) Impact of COVID on Child Development

(32:51) Lessons Learned and Surprises in the Journey

Check them out: https://parentsense.app/

About 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.

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, emphasising the importance of conversational learning. Peter also shares insights on measuring competency, building a sustainable startup culture, and the overarching goal of maximising human potential.

Chapters:

(00:00) Revolutionising Workplace Learning

(03:51) The Power of AI in Training

(09:06) WhatsApp as a Learning Tool

(11:54) Competency Verification in Training

(18:01) Building a Sustainable Startup

(22:18) Maximizing Human Potential

(27:38) Rapid Fire Insights

Check them out here: https://www.beeline.life

About 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.

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-row seat to the entrepreneurial process: honest, scrappy, and always a little under construction.

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 ambitious vision for the Mosebe Academy.
It's an honest, deeply inspiring conversation about purpose, resilience, and building innovation where it's needed most.

Chapters

(00:00) Vincent’s Early Life in Vrygrond
(01:38) The 2020 Shack Fire That Sparked a Mission
(03:26) Founding Mosebe Enterprise & Early Self-Doubt
(05:49) Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Finding Purpose
(06:57) Building Tsepho V1–V3: Innovating Through Community Feedback
(10:51) Real-World Impact in Off-Grid Communities
(12:31) Why Mosebe Uses E-Waste & the Sustainability Vision
(15:43) The Challenge of Scaling a Township-Based Enterprise
(17:58) Leadership Lessons: Purpose Over Ego
(19:24) Hiring Youth & Providing Opportunities
(20:27) Vincent’s Background & Self-Taught Engineering Journey
(22:27) Project Helix: AI, Drones & Life-Saving Innovation
(25:04) Advice for Young Mission-Driven Entrepreneurs
(26:25) Redefining Success Through Impact
(28:05) Vincent’s Bold Vision for Africa’s Innovators
(29:25) Rapid-Fire: Build Fast or Build Right?
(31:41) Closing Reflections & Gratitude

Check them out: https://www.mosebeenterprise.co.za/

About 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.

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-row seat to the entrepreneurial process: honest, scrappy, and always a little under construction.

About 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.