What if the biggest problem in your life is the one you've learned to tolerate?

In this episode of Meet My Business, host Hendrik Baird sits down with clarity coach Nicci de Wet du Toit, who describes herself simply as "a deep listener" — someone able to hear what people don't say, and to help them see the blind spots standing between them and the life they actually want.

Nicci shares the story of a senior professional who called her in tears, unable to reconcile her outward success with an inner sense that something wasn't right — and what happened after Nicci refused to let her simply "hang on." She also opens up about a client in his late sixties who, after decades of uncertainty, found the courage to be honest about who he is. Along the way, Nicci talks candidly about the early struggles of building a business she could barely put into words, what she wishes she'd known when she started, and why she believes almost every person deserves the chance to be truly, deeply heard. Centre for the Mind · Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People

Trish Ford has spent thirty years in and around the human side of business — from a master's in research psychology to two decades in corporate strategy and monitoring and evaluation. Today, as managing director of Step Transformation, she does the work she says she was quietly missing all along: guiding leaders and business owners through deep, inner-world transformation.

In this episode of Meet My Business, Trish sits down with host Hendrik Baird to talk about what real coaching looks like beyond the post-COVID noise. She explains the difference between wearing "the consultant's hat" and truly holding space for a client, why so much leadership work is actually about self-doubt and identity, and how she uses science, structure and vivid analogies — including a broomstick named Joe — to help people see themselves differently.

Along the way she shares her own discipline built through triathlon (including guiding South Africa's first visually impaired athlete at the Commonwealth Games), the hardest parts of building a business, and the client success stories that keep her going. If you're a leader who has done the courses, built the strategy, and still feels stuck, this conversation offers a grounded, honest look at what it takes to move from burnout to clarity. Step Transformation · Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People

When a floral shop's website went dark, its owner couldn't make a single sale - and that's exactly the kind of problem Russell Lunda solves every day. In this episode of Meet My Business, Russell shares how he went from teaching himself web design on YouTube to pay for his studies, to running Akha Web, a business that helps South African companies get found online.

Russell talks candidly about the early struggle, moving from Durban to Pretoria and almost giving up, and the responsibility to family that kept him going. He unpacks how he actually works with clients - from discovery and honest conversations about where to spend their money, to meeting each business where it is, whether that's a R200-a-day starting point or a multi-branch operation.

He also reflects on how quickly AI has changed the game, why being findable now means showing up in ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude as much as on Google, and why, at the end of the day, the work is really about making a genuine impact in people's lives. Akha Web · Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People

When counselling specialist Johann relocated his practice from Springs to Randburg, he arrived with a powerful service and almost no local recognition. In this episode of Meet My Business, Deborah Aspoas of For You To Jumpstart explains how she rebuilt his visibility from the ground up — turning a little-known trauma-release practice into a thriving, fully-booked studio in under a year.

Deborah describes herself as the "web mistress," and her approach is refreshingly practical. She unpacks why a website should function as a business tool rather than a digital brochure, how LinkedIn "lurkers" quietly shape your reputation, and why consistency online is really just "proof of life" for a modern business. Along the way she shares the story of a US-based client whose business flourished through smart, cost-saving online systems, and offers honest advice on imposter syndrome, starting before you feel ready, and knowing which clients to walk away from.

The conversation closes with a candid look at how AI is reshaping search and content — including the tropes that can undermine your credibility, and why authenticity remains your strongest asset. It's an energetic, insight-packed listen for any entrepreneur who knows they need to be seen online but isn't sure where to start. Deborah's website · Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People

What does it really take to build wealth — and hold onto it — in South Africa today? In this episode of Meet My Business, host Hendrik sits down with Jaco Steenberg, a financial advisor at Old Mutual and the man behind Steenberg Associates, for an honest conversation about money, goals, and the long-term relationships that make financial planning actually work.

Jaco shares how he stumbled into the industry (his own mother insisted the job didn't exist), the tough early years when quitting felt like a monthly temptation, and the moment he realised that good advice has almost nothing to do with selling policies. He explains his ideal client — the "HENRY," or High Earner, Not Rich Yet — walks through his six-step planning process, and makes a compelling case for why starting young and protecting your goals matters far more than most people think.

It's a warm, practical and at times deeply moving look at the human side of financial planning, including one client story that stays with you long after the episode ends. Whether you're just beginning to save or rethinking your retirement, this is a conversation worth your time. Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People

Meet My Business is back for a new season — and we're kicking it off with a special episode.

To open the season, we sit down with Baird Media, the father-and-son podcast production company celebrating five years in business. Co-founders Hendrik and Ethan Baird trace a journey that's far longer than five years: from making home movies on a borrowed MacBook, to running a chaotic and groundbreaking internet radio station, to becoming the production company known in South Africa's podcast scene simply as "the Bairds."

It's an unusually honest conversation about building a family business backwards — deciding, as equals, to start something from nothing rather than inheriting it. They talk about the failures that taught them the most, narrowing from "we'll do anything for anybody" to a focused production company, the audio drama they're proudest of, and why so many podcasts quit before they ever find their feet. Along the way: what it's actually like for a father and son to be 50/50 partners, and why honesty is the thing that's kept them from stagnating.

A fitting start to a new season of conversations with the people behind small businesses worth knowing. Baird Media

Lenka Koppova is a marketing therapist for coaches and health & wellbeing professionals who helps business owners level up their marketing in a way that suits their business.

In this episode, we learn more about Lenka's business as well as finding out her thoughts on content marketing. www.linkedin.com · Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People

As a holistic business and mindset coach - Christine Ofner does not believe in a one size fits all approach. In this episode, we discuss Christine's online business journey. We also discuss the concept of energy management - and Christine gives us some incredibly useful advice for how to prevent burnout by listening to your body and carefully planning your work around your energy. www.linkedin.com · www.christineofner.com · Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People

Michelle MacFarlane is a Business Growth Strategist, Marketing Trainer & Coach, International Speaker, Podcast Co-host and an award-winning Networker. She also absolutely loves helping small business grow!

In this episode, we discuss what you should focus on in the early stages of your business. There are many traps and things that waste your time out there, and it is important to figure out where to focus your precious time and energy. www.linkedin.com · dragonconsulting.biz · Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People

Colleen Qvist is a life coach who works with Doctors, helping people leave their comfort zone. In this week's episode, we discuss what to do when your clients misbehave. It can be a frustrating experience that impacts your business quite severely - and we chat all about the ways to mitigate these issues.

Email Colleen: [email protected] www.linkedin.com · Virtual Coffee Date with Hendrik Baird · Virtual Coffee Date with Ethan Baird · Baird Media - The Podcast People