Stefan Botha, the founder of Rainmaker Marketing, one of South Africa’s leading property development marketing agencies. In this honest, insightful conversation, Stefan shares the story of Rainmaker’s early challenges, how a stint as a game ranger shaped his leadership style, and what it took to build a niche business through grit, relationships, and long-term thinking. If you’ve ever started a business (or thought about it), this episode offers a grounded perspective on the emotional, financial, and leadership journey of entrepreneurship — from imposter syndrome to payroll stress and beyond. Stefan Botha is the Managing Director of Rainmaker Marketing, a Durban-based agency that specializes in bringing property developments to market through research-driven marketing strategy and execution. With 13+ years leading Rainmaker, Stefan has worked across KZN and South Africa on some of the country’s most ambitious residential and mixed-use precincts. Prior to his career in marketing, Stefan worked as a game ranger, a role that unexpectedly taught him the people skills and presence he would later rely on as a business leader. ⏱ Timestamped Overview 00:50 – Stefan reflects on the naivety that helped him start Rainmaker 00:52 – Grant and Stefan’s 30-year friendship from Northwood School 02:41 – From directionless student to rediscovering real estate roots 05:01 – How two years as a game ranger shaped Stefan’s people-first approach 07:10 – Why building strong relationships matters more than ever 10:04 – The messy early days of Rainmaker Marketing 11:53 – Hiring challenges and vision-building with no track record 13:24 – Imposter syndrome, conviction, and pushing through doubt 15:32 – A near-collapse: struggling to make payroll 16:40 – A turning point: doubling down on a niche in property 18:12 – Explaining Rainmaker’s unique gap in the property marketing space 21:11 – Learning from others: Stefan’s take on growth, mentorship, and scaling 24:40 – KZN’s property rise: the truth behind the North Coast boom 29:42 – Reframing KZN’s narrative: what the data and developments show 31:32 – Advice for young entrepreneurs: slow growth, mentorship, and real relationships 37:25 – The loneliness of entrepreneurship & the importance of community 39:01 – From technician to team leader: learning to let go 41:30 – Final reflections on leadership, growth, and self-awareness 💬 Quote of the Episode “It takes a village to build a business. You don't do it alone and you can't.” – Stefan Botha 👣 Relevant Links LinkedIn:   / stefan-botha-83b5303   Rainmaker Facebook:   / rainmakermarketing   Rainmaker Instagram:   / rainmaker_marketing   Rainmaker Website: https://rainmakermarketing.co.za/ 🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/ Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Instagram:   / grant_gavin0   Facebook:   / ggavin   LinkedIn:   / grant-gavin-9a120a4   YouTube:    / @thoughtonomy_book   🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.

Welcome to Episode 15 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this inspiring episode, host Grant Gavin sits down with Coach Trevor “Big T” Wolmarans, the founder of Knuckle Game Boxing Academy. From the underground music scene to elite-level boxing coaching, Trevor shares his journey of transformation, discipline, and legacy-building through the lens of family, community, and personal values. This episode explores what it really means to fight, not just in the ring, but in life. 

Trevor Wolmarans, also known as Coach Big T, is the founder of Knuckle Game Boxing Academy in Durban. A former hardcore band frontman and tattoo studio employee, Trevor pivoted his life toward coaching and community building through boxing. With over 15 years of experience, Trevor has trained champions, built a loyal gym family, and is now mentoring his own son, a rising boxing talent, while creating impactful white-collar boxing events across KwaZulu-Natal. 

Whether you're a parent, entrepreneur, coach, or young adult seeking direction, this conversation reminds us that respect, discipline, and self-awareness are tools to thrive in a tough world. 

00:50 – Introduction of Trevor Wolmarans and is move from Johannesburg to Durban and early gym days. 

💬 Quote of the Episode 

“You walk into our gym and you leave with a family.” – Trevor Wolmarans 

Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/  

In this episode of Thoughtonomy, host Grant Gavin is joined by Fiona McCarthy—an entrepreneur, leadership facilitator, and mother—who brings raw honesty to the conversation around balance, burnout, and being human in business. 

Fiona opens up about the emotional toll of running a business while raising a family, the courage it takes to be vulnerable, and how she learned to ask for help after years of doing it all. Through powerful insights on identity, purpose, and trusting the process, Fiona reminds us that balance isn’t about perfection—it’s about alignment. 

👉 Tune in for a conversation that’s both grounding and inspiring, filled with wisdom for anyone navigating leadership, motherhood, or simply being seen. 

🔗 Listen now: [Insert Link] 

#Leadership #Vulnerability #Balance #ThoughtonomyPodcast 

Show Notes 

📌 Episode Highlights: 

• [00:00] Introduction to Fiona and her multi-faceted world 

• [03:50] Why running a business as a mother can be both fulfilling and isolating 

• [08:45] Identity, worth, and the struggle of wearing too many hats 

• [15:30] Vulnerability in leadership and asking for help 

• [21:40] Building trust and support in business partnerships 

• [27:15] The illusion of balance and what alignment really looks like 

• [34:00] Final words: Give yourself permission to slow down 

🎙️ Guest Bio Fiona McCarthy is a leadership consultant, speaker, and founder of a dynamic family-run business. With a background in coaching and people development, Fiona’s work centers on creating space for leaders—especially women—to lead with authenticity, self-trust, and clarity. 

🔗 Fiona McCarthy: 

• https://www.instagram.com/fiona.g.mccarthy/  

• https://app.radioplayzn.co.za/  

📩 Connect with Us: 

• Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/  

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4  

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin  

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media. 

#Entrepreneurship #Motherhood #LeadershipJourney #ThoughtonomyPodcast 

In this episode of Thoughtonomy, host Grant Gavin is joined by Lisa Boniface, an energy healer, transformational coach, and master of spiritual insight. Together, they explore the concept of presence—how to live in flow, process emotion, and develop an intimate connection with your inner world. 

Lisa shares her powerful personal story of transformation, including the moment she chose herself after years of suppressing her truth. Her journey offers deep lessons in emotional processing, energy alignment, and creating space for what truly matters. This episode is a reminder that clarity and fulfillment are not found by adding more to our lives—but by making room for what’s already within us. 

👉 Tune in and discover how to stop outsourcing your power and step into radical presence. 

#EmotionalHealing #InnerWork #SpiritualGrowth #Presence #ThoughtonomyPodcast 

📌 Episode Highlights: 

• [00:00] Introduction to Lisa Boniface and the power of presence 

• [04:15] Lisa’s origin story: choosing herself and walking away from dysfunction 

• [10:30] What it means to be fully present and live in alignment 

• [15:50] Embracing emotional processing as a tool for growth 

• [20:40] Clearing internal clutter to make space for clarity and intention 

• [27:30] Creating spiritual discipline and listening to your internal wisdom 

• [35:00] Lisa’s tips for connecting to flow and living from the inside out 

🎙️ Guest Bio Lisa Boniface is a transformational guide who supports individuals in their journeys of healing and awakening. Through energy work, coaching, and intuitive insight, she helps clients unlock clarity and confidence by cultivating presence and alignment. Her mission is to help people move beyond mental noise and live from a place of deep inner connection. 

🔗 Lisa Boniface: 

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-boniface-6604a579/  

• https://dvh.law.za/staff/lisa-boniface/  

📩 Connect with Us: 

• Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/  

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4  

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin  

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book  

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode in the comments or on social media. 

#HealingJourney #Mindfulness #PersonalGrowth #ThoughtonomyPodcast 

In this episode of Thoughtonomy, Grant Gavin sits down with powerhouse speaker, coach, and author Burgette Yarlett. Together, they explore the deep roots of self-worth, imposter syndrome, and what it really takes to back yourself in a world full of noise and self-doubt. 

Burgette shares her personal journey of overcoming rejection, the mental reprogramming that helped her see herself clearly, and how she uses storytelling to inspire others. From the courage to own your voice to the discipline required to align with your calling, this conversation will light a fire under anyone ready to take ownership of their narrative. 

👉 Tune in to discover how to build an unshakable belief in yourself—even when fear is loud and doubt is real. 

🔗 Listen now: [Insert Link] 

#SelfBelief #Confidence #OvercomingDoubt #ThoughtonomyPodcast 

Show Notes 

📌 Episode Highlights: 

• [00:00] Introduction to Burgette and her story of resilience 

• [05:15] Imposter syndrome and overcoming rejection 

• [10:50] Building self-belief and choosing discipline 

• [16:30] How the stories we tell shape our confidence and direction 

• [23:00] Practicing ownership over your life and choices 

• [30:45] Shifting from self-doubt to self-affirmation 

• [38:10] Final words: You are already enough 

🎙️ Guest Bio Burgette Yarlett is a South African speaker, leadership coach, and author who equips individuals to lead powerfully by rewriting their inner dialogue. With a background in public speaking and coaching, she helps professionals unlock self-belief, build resilience, and walk confidently in their calling. 

🔗 Burgette Yarlett: 

• https://www.instagram.com/burgette.yarlett/  

• https://www.beyondvisiblebelief.com/more-about-me  

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/burgette-yarlett-29380958/  

📩 Connect with Us: 

• Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/  

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0/ 

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4  

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin  

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book 

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media. 

#SelfWorth #Leadership #Confidence #ThoughtonomyPodcast 

On this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast, host Grant Gavin welcomes Dave Allen, a distinguished South African police reservist and body language expert. With over 30 years of experience in law enforcement and public speaking, Dave talks about his diverse career trajectory that has led him to train elite units, such as the FBI, in the United States.

Throughout the conversation, Dave shares insights from his work on leadership training and decoding body language, offering practical advice on how to make strong first impressions and understand the subconscious signals people give off. He delves into topics like the importance of respect and manners, the subtle cues of body language in business and negotiations, and the significance of teaching effective communication skills. Dave also discusses his new book, "Decoding Body Language," and provides tips for parents on understanding their children's unspoken messages.

Join us for an engaging discussion filled with actionable tips and compelling stories from Dave’s extensive career.Find out more about the Thoughtonomy book at - Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/ Grant Website: https://grantgavin.com/about-grant/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thought_onomy/ Grant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNh3exoKIcgVwxo4jWhIf4CHdtmbiJhn Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/30PLt1Jci2tC0oTreCbhqAApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/thoughtonomy/id1758997637🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review!

In this episode of the Thoughtonomy Podcast, Grant Gavin delves into an inspiring journey with our guest, Sbu. Sbu is a charismatic barista who has overcome challenging circumstances to build an award-winning coffee business, Coffee Lab, in South Africa.

Grant sits down with Sbu to explore his remarkable life story, from growing up in difficult conditions in Zimbabwe to becoming a prominent figure in the coffee industry. Sbu shares how he harnessed the power of positivity, resistance, and self-awareness to navigate a path from survival to stability and, ultimately, success.

Discover the profound impact of mentorship, the importance of culture, and how Sbu is paying it forward by mentoring others through his Coffee Academy. This episode promises valuable insights into resilience, personal growth, and the unwavering pursuit of one's dreams.

👉 Tune in as we uncover lessons in leadership, energy, and living from within in this transformative episode.📌 Episode Highlights: 00:00 Coffee Shop Connection in Office

03:24 "Sbu's Inspirational Life Story"

07:27 Fighting for My Place

10:02 Meeting People at A'Zambezi Lodge

15:15 "Finding Shelter and Responsibility"

19:12 Struggling with Inner Turmoil

24:13 Empathetic Leadership Approach

28:23 Lessons in Life and Culture

31:54 Coffee Consultant's Uplifting Journey

36:25 Giving Back Through Experience39:28 "Live from Within"

Find out more about the Thoughtonomy book at - Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/

Grant Website: https://grantgavin.com/about-grant/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thought_onomy/

Grant Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrNh3exoKIcgVwxo4jWhIf4CHdtmbiJhn Spotify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/30PLt1Jci2tC0oTreCbhqAApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/thoughtonomy/id1758997637

In Episode 8 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast, host Grant Gavin dives deep into the concept of Ikigai and the journey of discovering one’s purpose. In this insightful solo episode, Grant breaks down the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai, which translates to "a reason for being," and explores how aligning passion, profession, mission, and vocation can lead to a truly fulfilled and purposeful life. He shares practical advice on finding clarity amidst the noise and how to identify what makes you feel most alive. Whether you're at a crossroads or simply looking to understand yourself better, this episode offers valuable tools and perspectives to help you uncover your unique purpose. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that will inspire you to live a life of meaning and fulfillment.