In this episode, I sit down with Angelo to talk about something we see far too often: businesses running on Excel, outdated software, and slow manual processes that quietly limit growth. We unpack the early signs that a company is being held back, the hidden risks, and the practical steps any founder can take to modernise without a big, overwhelming overhaul.

If you’ve ever felt like your tools or workflows are slowing you down, this conversation will give you clarity — and a simple path forward.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast


Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]

⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

Should I build a web app or a mobile app first?

We covered:
→ The biggest misconceptions founders have
→ Real-world examples where one worked better than the other
→ How to decide based on user context, cost, and platform goals
→ Why “app envy” can be a dangerous distraction

If you're building a digital product or platform, this 15-minute chat will give you the clarity you need to make a smarter, faster decision.

Angelo's Profile: https://www.dna.co.za/post/angelo-z-custom-web-development

Anyone who’s curious about how AI can truly change the way we work — not just what we produce - from the perspective of a platform business expert. In this episode, Alan shares how adopting an AI First mindset has changed how he thinks, works, builds — and helps others do the same. Whether you’re building a platform, running a business, or just trying to stay ahead of change — this one’s worth a listen.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast
Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

#platforms #marketplaces #entrepreneurship #Ai #startups #DNABusinessconversations

Candice’s profile: https://www.dna.co.za/post/candice-r-business-research-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

Alan’s profile: https://www.dna.co.za/post/alan-w-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

How Experts can show up ready for those first intro meetings with Founders. If you’re an Expert being introduced to a Founder - whether through DNA-Business or another network - this is for you.

We’ll explore the key questions you should be asking in that meeting, why they matter, and what else you can do to walk away with clarity and confidence.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast


Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

Candice’s profile: https://www.dna.co.za/post/candice-r-business-research-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

Alan’s profile: https://www.dna.co.za/post/alan-w-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

Don’t let the size of your idea stop you from starting small. Platforms are long games. It’s okay — in fact, it’s smart — to begin with what’s within reach. Use free tools. Talk to real people. Solve one problem really well.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast
Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

Alan’s profile:

https://www.dna.co.za/post/alan-w-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

Don’t romanticise network effects. They’re powerful, yes, but they don’t just appear out of nowhere. They’re built, slowly and intentionally. And they start with people — not products.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast
Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

Alan's profile: https://www.dna.co.za/post/alan-w-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

These questions force founders to get specific about their platform or marketplace’s value, its users, and the revenue model. Without clarity on these points, your platform or marketplace can struggle to gain traction.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast
Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

Alan’s profile: https://www.dna.co.za/post/alan-w-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

One of the biggest mistakes is assuming that just because you have technology that connects people, you have a platform business. Many startups build a SaaS tool and later try to pivot into a platform model, but that transition is not always easy.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast
Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

Alan’s profile

https://www.dna.co.za/post/alan-w-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

Disintermediation happens when users bypass the platform after an introduction. Founders need to take this seriously because disintermediation can kill a platform over time.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast
Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

Alan’s profile: https://www.dna.co.za/post/alan-w-advisory-for-creative-entrepreneurs

This is Episode 3 in our special 3-part series on MVPs. If you’ve been following along, in Episode 1, we broke down what an MVP is and why it matters. In Episode 2, we explored how to build an effective MVP, covering strategy, tech, and execution.

Today, we’re diving into the next crucial stage: what happens after you launch? We’ll be talking about how to gather feedback, iterate, and scale your MVP into a full-fledged product.

Who do you know that might benefit from this podcast? Please share with them.

Podcast page: dna.co.za/podcast
Email: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠dna.co.za⁠

Angelo's profile:

https://www.dna.co.za/post/angelo-z-custom-web-development