Growing up with an alcoholic and absent father, Danny didn't have an easy life. He envied kids with a 'normal' life and knew he didn't want to repeat his family's history. Determined, Danny became the first in his family to earn a degree.

Danny found his calling in accounting. With the support of his wife and mentors, he started his business theAteam, in 2017. Since then, he's made a significant impact on his community.

During the COVID years, his team did pro bono work, helping local businesses secure safe retirements for founders and ensure continuity for future generations.

I recently chatted with Arthur Goldstuck, who's pretty unique because he's got his own wiki page—talk about impressive!

Arthur's been diving into tech since '95 with his book Hitchhikers guide to the internet, followed by Hitchhiker's Guide to Going Mobile and The Hitchhiker's Guide To Going Wireless. Now, he's onto The Hitchhiker's Guide to AI.

Apart from tech, Arthur's also penned 5 books on South Africa's urban legends. I asked him about his favorite stories from those.

We also delved into the top 3 questions he gets about AI and who's the bigwig in his field.

Tune in and enjoy this episode as much as I did!

Today, we're diving into a story that many of us can relate to—fear of rejection and the journey to mastering communication. Our guest, Chris Fenning once avoided selling because he dreaded hearing a "no." But now? He embraces those "no's" because he knows they're steps closer to a "yes."

Chris is passionate about "Making communication less painful" because he's lived through the chaos of endless meetings and emails that seemed to never end. He's been there, delivering tough news to senior folks, and he's learned a thing or two along the way.

One of his early blunders? Thinking that "Talking more = A better communicator." Thankfully, a mentor named Carlos set him straight.

Stick around for this interview— join us as we uncover Chris's journey to making communication less painful.

Ever heard the word "strategy" and thought, "What's that all about?" It's a fancy term, but let's break it down.

Imagine your orthodontist telling you, "You don't HAVE to brush every tooth, but if you only brush the ones you want to keep, that's pretty smart." That's strategy! It's about choosing to do what really matters.

Now, lots of companies come up with plans, but not all of them follow through. That's where Leander Opperman of Unlok Consulting steps in. He helps law firms and their young leaders make and stick to their plans. With over ten years as a partner at Adams and Adams, he's been in your shoes.

So, whether you're deciding which teeth to brush or planning your next big move, stay tuned. You won't want to miss what Leander has to share!

ABOUT YOUR HOST, CHARLES HSUAN

Charles Hsuan (Shu-wen) the founder of Flying Kite Sales coaching, was born with ADHD. Although his Taiwanese parents wanted him to achieve in school, he struggled to meet their expectations - Despite his best efforts.

In the last year of his Financial Management degree, Charles discovered the power of words to persuade and influence, persuading his lecturer…just in time!

Charles entered the sales world by chance in 2004 and realised that he had a natural gift for it. As a result, he won many sales awards and earned the respect of clients, who were wowed by his unique approach.

Today, some of Charles's clients have doubled their sales. If you're eager to learn and hungry for success, you will be a perfect fit.

Do you know the person who sits next to you every day at work? 🤔

I remember sitting beside Yoke van Dam back in 2013, both of us navigating the challenges of sales roles under a demanding boss (rightly so!).

We celebrated our victories when we hit our sales targets, and we lifted each other when we fell short.

You see someone every day and think you have a good grasp of who they are, but sometimes, there's more to discover...

I was recently reminded that to truly understand someone, you need to ask questions and listen. So, I did just that.

Yoke shared a fascinating journey with me: from selling homemade pizzas in primary school to earn pocket money, to honing her skills in sales, customer service, and influencing others.

Then, there was y-connect.biz, where she dedicated herself to transforming dysfunctional teams, inspired by the Japanese kintsugi art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Her clarity in messaging attracted clients dealing with similar issues, leading to remarkable transformations.

Happy listening!

In this episode, Charles introduces the multi-faceted Andre Bresler of Benchmark International, whose diverse career background enriches his role in mergers and acquisitions. They delve into Andre's entrepreneurial journey, from a pub meeting that birthed a business listed on Alt-x to selling it twice.

The conversation spotlights the nuances of timing in business sales, illustrated through the simple analogy of sharing toys. The importance of finding the right buyers, understanding synergies, and nurturing supplier relationships for competitive growth is emphasized.

Charles and Andre explore success, advocating for problem-solvers and meaningful partnerships. Andre's journey underscores constant learning and adaptation in the absence of strong role models or mentors.

We're joined by the incredible Mandi Hart, the author of "Parenting with courage" and "Courage In The Fire," along with "Parenting World Changers."

Mandi takes us on a journey, from her childhood dream of being a music professor to her unexpected detour into marketing and even surfing. She's all about that courage, and we're diving deep into how it's the secret sauce for tackling life's curveballs and being a stellar parent.

We also touch on challenging cultural beliefs and Mandi's approach to seeking wisdom and focusing on what's within her control.

Stay tuned for some wisdom-packed insights!

Are you a high-growth entrepreneur searching for the right network to boost your business journey? 

Look no further! Civitas is 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝. Let me introduce you to Paul Smith, the visionary behind this incredible community.

Paul's journey is legit. He diligently saved for years and self-funded Civitas back in 2019. But here's the real magic—Paul knows that great entrepreneurs hunt in pairs. He met his business partner Ryan Osher while collaborating on projects.

What sets Civitas apart from other network groups is their criteria—achieving a minimum revenue of 𝐑1 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. This ensures that the members are driven and accomplished, fostering a powerful environment for growth.

Paul's mission is to make every day count, and he practices what he preaches. He firmly believes in the importance of good sleep for peak performance, cherishes personal connections, and understands the life-changing impact of influential books. 

Tiffany Markman, is an acclaimed copywriter, trainer, and speaker. Tiffany has built a reputation for her skills in writing and messaging, brand voice, digital marketing, content strategy, and creative ideation. With an impressive portfolio of working with 570 different brands in 15 countries and addressing over 29,600 individuals, Tiffany's expertise shines through.

During the podcast, Tiffany takes us on a captivating journey through her career in writing and business. She shares how she fixed a poorly written campaign at just 16 years old and later embarked on her own entrepreneurial venture by reaching out to everyone in her inbox. Tiffany opens up about her workaholic tendencies, her deep passion for art, and her unique hobby of rehabilitating orphaned and injured baby bats.

Additionally, Tiffany stresses the importance of reading for writing and provides insights into the type of clients she collaborates with. Don't miss out on this episode to uncover more about Tiffany's fascinating story and gain valuable insights from her extensive experience as a professional copywriter.

ABOUT YOUR HOST, CHARLES HSUAN

Born with ADHD, Charles Hsuan was always going to struggle to meet his Taiwanese parents’ expectations of academic excellence. However, with his financial management degree hanging in the balance in his final year, Charles discovered the persuasive power of words when he convinced his lecturer to give him the break he needed to graduate.

Equally by chance, he entered the world of sales in 2004, only to discover he had a natural talent for it. Over the years, he won many sales awards, and his clients began to take notice of his unique approach.

It was probably inevitable that Charles would go on to combine his sales success and experience with the power of words into a programme he now sells to help people sell more, in a shorter time, to the right clients. His story-selling programme has delivered sterling results for the likes of Sage, Bean There Coffee Company, Hive Digital, and Unlock Consulting, among many others. For more info please visit www.flyingkite.co.za

Welcome to this week's Candid Conversations podcast! Today, Charles sits down with Graeme Schnell, the CEO of Focus on the Family South Africa.

Graeme shares his serendipity story of how he landed a job that he initially thought he wasn't qualified for, and how it led him to where he is today.

They also discuss the similarities and differences between running a ministry and running a business. Graeme explains the role of marketing in both areas and how managing income can vary between the two.

Graeme also opens up about the impact his parents had on his life and sheds light on the challenges that families in South Africa are currently facing.

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