The Business of Influence

570 BILLION RAND. AND STILL, MOST SMALL BUSINESSES CANNOT GET FUNDED. HERE IS WHY.

In this episode of Founder's Desk, hosted by Tami Ruschin, Billy Bokako breaks down one of the most important and most misunderstood conversations in South African entrepreneurship right now. Where does the money actually go, why is it so difficult to access, and what do small business owners need to understand before they even think about applying for funding.

The conversation starts with SEDA, the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency formed through a landmark 2024 merger of three major institutions into a single cradle to grave support system for South African entrepreneurs. One entry point. One ecosystem. Built to remove the fragmentation that has historically made support inaccessible.

From there, Billy unpacks business incubation in a way that actually makes sense, what it means to derisk a startup, why incubation periods run between three and five years depending on the sector, and what the four pillars of structured entrepreneurial support look like in practice. Access to finance, access to markets, advisory support and infrastructure are not buzzwords in this conversation. They are the framework.

The funding conversation is where this episode gets real. South Africa has an estimated funding gap of 570 billion rand, yet approximately 40 percent of funding applications are rejected not because of a bad idea or a weak business, but because of compliance failures. A missing tax certificate. An incomplete submission. Billy's advice is direct: be boringly compliant, because the paperwork is not the obstacle, it is the entry requirement.

The episode also covers the full spectrum of available funding, from grants and pure loans to venture capital, blended finance, revenue based financing and emerging models like initial coin offerings, and why understanding a funder's mandate before you apply is the difference between speaking their language and wasting everyone's time.

If you are a small business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur, a startup founder or anyone navigating the South African funding landscape, this episode will give you the clarity and the strategy you have been looking for.

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This Youth Month, the Business of Influence Podcast is doing something we have never done before. We are releasing an uncut episode, exactly as it happened, no edits, no filters, no polish. Just the raw, honest, behind-the-scenes conversation that most people never get access to. This is the Lebo Mashile and Mathabo Tlali episode that went live during Africa Month, and we are sharing it in full because the knowledge in this conversation is too important to stay contained.We are doing this with intention. Fifty years since the Soweto Uprising, and the voices of South African youth are still fighting to be heard, still building industries, still shaping culture from the inside out. This episode is our contribution to that legacy. Not a tribute. A continuation.This conversation was never just about marketing or influence or content. It was always about people. About the South African creatives, marketers, engineers, health professionals, artists and thinkers who are redefining what it means to operate in an industry on their own terms. If you have ever felt like the real conversations happen in rooms you are not invited into, consider this your invitation.The Business of Influence exists to make the industry legible to everyone who is building within it. This uncut episode is the most honest expression of that mission we have ever put out.Watch it. Share it. Be part of the conversation.Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.—Enjoyed the podcast? Join the conversation using #BusinessOfInfluence #YouthMonth #Soweto50Listen and Follow Us Apple: https://tr.ee/7S9Qw2RYaB Spotify: https://tr.ee/8yFVYi Instagram: https://tr.ee/9MFBqITikTok: https://tr.ee/F5wHS1LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/72U7z0Follow Our Host and Guests Leroy:   / leroymarcn  Lebo Mashile:   / lebomashile  Mathabo Tlali:   / mathabo_tlali  Email: [email protected] Music Produced by Emcee:   / emceeiii  #YouthMonth #Soweto50 #SowetoUprising #SouthAfricanCreatives

In this episode of the Business of Influence Podcast, hosted by Leroy Marc, Andrew Berry from The Bread sits down to have an honest conversation about what is actually happening inside the advertising industry right now. Not the polished version. The real one.

The agency model is shifting and Andrew does not shy away from that reality. What is replacing the traditional full-service approach is something more precise: agencies that know a specific market space deeply, that can hold a brand's long-term narrative together while creators amplify the moments in between. The question was never about agencies or creators. It was always about understanding what each one is actually built to do.

Andrew breaks down why integrated marketing strategies are no longer optional, how TV, social media, PR and influencer efforts have to work as one connected story rather than separate campaigns running in parallel, and why brands that treat these as isolated channels are already behind. He also gets into the budget reality that most marketers are living right now, doing more with less, and why that pressure is accelerating the shift from traditional outdoor spend toward digital and influencer-led strategies that actually connect with audiences.

But perhaps the sharpest part of this conversation is the tension between short-term wins and long-term brand building. Viral moments are seductive. Andrew's argument is that agencies exist precisely to protect brands from chasing those moments at the expense of relevance that lasts. Staying current with culture, understanding younger audiences, and building for longevity is the work. Everything else is noise.

The conversation also explores which industries are willing to take risks and which ones are still playing it safe, and what that says about where innovation in advertising is actually coming from.

If you work in marketing, run a brand, lead an agency or create content for a living, this episode will challenge how you think about the industry you are operating in.

Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.

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#AdvertisingIndustry #AgencyLife #InfluencerMarketing #BrandStrategy

In this episode of Founder’s Desk, hosted by Tami Ruschin, Mike Hewan, CEO of LIFT FIT, unpacks his journey from marketing entrepreneur to leading one of South Africa’s growing activewear brands.From building his agency, Ninja Puppy, to stepping into the CEO role at LIFT FIT, Mike shares the realities of transitioning into leadership, scaling a brand and building a business rooted in accountability, community and consistency.This conversation explores the difference between working in a business and working on it, the importance of operational excellence, and why sustainable growth requires clear communication, strong systems and a deep understanding of your customer.Mike also unpacks LIFT FIT’s evolving retail strategy, the role of community in modern brand building and his vision for positioning the brand as attainable premium activewear in an increasingly competitive market.At its core, this is a conversation about leadership, growth and what it takes to build a brand that lasts.If you are interested in entrepreneurship, retail strategy, e-commerce, brand building or modern leadership, this is a conversation worth your time.Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.—Enjoyed the podcast? Join the conversation by using the #FoundersDeskListen & Follow UsApple: https://tr.ee/7S9Qw2RYaBSpotify: https://tr.ee/8yFVYiInstagram: https://tr.ee/9MFBqITikTok: https://tr.ee/F5wHS1LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/72U7z0Follow Our Host & GuestTami: https://www.instagram.com/tami_blend_ruschin/Mike: https://www.instagram.com/mikehewan/Lift Fit: https://www.instagram.com/liftfit.sportswear/Email: [email protected] Produced by Emcee: https://www.instagram.com/emceeiii/#BrandBuilding #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #RetailStrategy #Ecommerce #Activewear #SouthAfricanBusiness

In this episode of the Business of Influence Podcast, hosted by Leroy Marc, Zimasa Vabaza unpacks one of the most important conversations in the creator economy right now.

From the quiet discipline of building organic trust to the uncomfortable reality of platform ownership, this is a conversation that challenges every content creator, brand and digital strategist to think harder about where they are building and why.Zimasa has never once asked anyone to subscribe.

Not because he does not care about growth, but because he believes the work should be the reason. That philosophy runs through everything he shares in this episode, including how trust is built frame by frame, script line by script line, and why shortcuts undermine the very thing creators are trying to build.

The conversation also goes deeper into how digital personalities disrupted traditional media faster than legacy outlets could respond, and why that shift is still playing out in ways most brands have not fully reckoned with. But the sharpest insight in this episode is the platform ownership analogy. Zimasa draws a direct parallel between content creators and the raw materials debate in South Africa: creators produce the content, upload it to platforms they do not own, and those same platforms redistribute it back to local audiences, sometimes behind a paywall. It is a structural problem dressed up as an opportunity, and it is one the industry needs to talk about honestly.

This is Episode 10 of Season, and it is the one that sets the tone for Youth Month. If you are thinking seriously about the future of digital authority, creator sovereignty and what it really means to build influence that lasts, this conversation is for you.

Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.

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#CreatorEconomy #DigitalAuthority #ContentCreation #PlatformOwnership

n this Africa Month special of Business of Influence, host Leroy Marc sits down with poet, author and cultural activist Lebo Mashile alongside media executive and strategist Mathabo Tlali to unpack the realities of building, sustaining and protecting creative careers in Africa.From the systemic challenges facing artists and creators to the economic structures that continue to undervalue creative labour, this conversation explores why talent alone is not enough and what it takes to build lasting influence in an industry that often lacks formal support and recognition.The episode also examines the role of technology and AI in the future of creativity, the importance of treating creators as businesses rather than commodities, and why audiences, institutions and policymakers all have a role to play in strengthening Africa's creative economy.Beyond the challenges, Lebo and Mathabo reflect on the power of storytelling, cultural ownership and the responsibility of creators to shape narratives that move society forward.At its core, this is a conversation about visibility, value and the future of African creativity.If you are interested in the creator economy, cultural leadership, African storytelling or the future of creative industries on the continent, this is a conversation worth your time.Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.

In this episode of Founder’s Desk, hosted by Tami Ruschin, Ryan Sauer from Redwood Analytics unpacks why modern marketing still struggles to prove real business impact despite having more data than ever before.From the flaws of reach, impressions and last click attribution to the rise of objective based marketing and reporting, this conversation explores why brands need to rethink how they approach marketing analytics, performance marketing and measurement strategies.The episode also dives into the difference between correlation and causation in digital marketing, why dashboards should drive decision making rather than vanity reporting, and how evergreen content and long term brand building create sustainable growth beyond short term campaign metrics.At its core, this is a conversation about aligning marketing with business objectives and building measurement frameworks that actually reflect consumer behaviour and commercial impact.If you are interested in marketing analytics, brand strategy, performance marketing or the future of digital measurement, this is a conversation worth your time.Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.—Enjoyed the podcast? Join the conversation by using the #FoundersDeskListen & Follow UsApple: https://tr.ee/7S9Qw2RYaBSpotify: https://tr.ee/8yFVYiInstagram: https://tr.ee/9MFBqITikTok: https://tr.ee/F5wHS1LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/72U7z0Follow Our Host & GuestTami: https://www.instagram.com/tami_blend_ruschin/Ryan: https://www.redwoodanalytics.co.za/ Email: [email protected] Produced by Emcee: https://www.instagram.com/emceeiii/#MarketingAnalytics #PerformanceMarketing #DigitalMarketing

In this episode of Business of Influence, host Leroy Marc sits down with producer of SMWX, Oratile Kekana, to unpack the rise of podcasting in South Africa, the growing tension between new media and legacy media, and the debate surrounding the regulation of the creator economy.From the evolution of podcasting into a thriving storytelling medium to the power of personality-driven content, this conversation explores why podcasts have become one of the most influential spaces for cultural dialogue, analysis and audience engagement.The episode also interrogates the growing calls for government regulation, unpacking concerns around censorship, accountability and whether existing legal frameworks are already sufficient to address issues such as misinformation and defamation.Beyond regulation, the conversation dives into the role of independent podcasts as a modern “fourth estate”, providing authentic commentary and creating space for voices often excluded from traditional media systems.At its core, this is a conversation about media power, creative independence and the future of digital storytelling in South Africa.If you are interested in podcasting, media innovation, creator economy trends or the evolving relationship between influence and accountability, this is a conversation worth your time.Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.—Enjoyed the podcast? Join the conversation by using the #BusinessOfInfluenceListen & Follow UsApple: https://tr.ee/7S9Qw2RYaBSpotify: https://tr.ee/8yFVYiInstagram: https://tr.ee/9MFBqITikTok: https://tr.ee/F5wHS1LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/72U7z0Follow Our Host & GuestLeroy: https://www.instagram.com/leroymarc/Oratile: https://www.instagram.com/oratilelk/ Email: [email protected] Produced by Emcee: https://www.instagram.com/emceeiii/ #Podcasting #CreatorEconomy #MediaInnovation #SouthAfricanPodcasts

In this episode of Business of Influence, host Leroy Marc sits down with content creator and entrepreneur Melusi Thobela to unpack the realities of building a sustainable career in the creator economy through authenticity, consistency and strategic content creation.

From filming homemade recipes in White River, Mpumalanga, to becoming a rising voice in South African digital media, Melusi shares how authentic storytelling and relatable content helped him build audience trust and grow his personal brand online.

This conversation explores the shift from viral moments to long-term brand building, why creators need diversified income streams, and how balancing a 9-to-5 with content creation can create stability in an unpredictable digital industry.

The episode also dives into creator burnout, audience engagement, social media pressure and the importance of building evergreen content that delivers lasting value beyond trends and algorithms.

At its core, this is a conversation about entrepreneurship, digital influence and what it really takes to build a content career that is both impactful and sustainable in today’s social media landscape.

If you are interested in content creation, influencer marketing, digital entrepreneurship or the future of the creator economy in South Africa, this is a conversation worth your time.

Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.

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#CreatorEconomy #ContentCreation #DigitalMarketing #PersonalBranding

In this episode of Business of Influence, host Leroy Marc sits down with content creator and TV producer Mbuyiselo Vilakazi to unpack the intersection of online content, traditional media and the role of credibility in building lasting influence.From his transition out of law into media to his rise as a trusted voice in television commentary, this conversation explores how intentional, research driven content can cut through noise and build real authority.It also unpacks the shift from reactive, trend led content to evergreen storytelling, and why consistency, discipline and analytical thinking are becoming the new currency in the creator economy.Beyond content creation, the episode dives into Vilakazi’s role as a cultural translator, breaking down complex production and human behaviour for audiences, while maintaining objectivity and credibility in an industry often driven by sensationalism.At its core, this is a conversation about choosing substance over visibility and building media power through intention, not impulse.If you are thinking about influence, content strategy or the future of media, this is a conversation worth your time.Business of Influence is brought to you by Style ID Africa.—Enjoyed the podcast? Join the conversation by using the #businessofinfluence Listen & Follow UsApple: https://tr.ee/7S9Qw2RYaBSpotify: https://tr.ee/8yFVYiInstagram: https://tr.ee/9MFBqITikTok: https://tr.ee/F5wHS1LinkedIn: https://tr.ee/72U7z0Follow Our Host & GuestLeroy: https://www.instagram.com/leroymarc/Mbuyiselo: https://www.instagram.com/mbuyiselovilakazi/ Email: [email protected] Produced by Emcee: https://www.instagram.com/emceeiii/#CreatorEconomy #ContentStrategy #MediaCredibility