The Family Business Brewing Change in Coffee - Daniel Pretorius & Lulu Larche, 4WKS
How do you build a coffee brand that blends sustainability, taste, and habit change?In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Daniel and Lulu, co-founders of 4WKS, the coffee brand redefining convenience and sustainability. Built around the philosophy of “four weeks”, their pods are designed to fully break down in 28 days, align with the perfect window to enjoy coffee at peak flavor, and represent the time it takes to build a new habit.From tackling the waste problem in coffee culture to inspiring mindful consumption, Daniel and Lulu shares the lessons behind building a values-driven brand with global potential.We dive into:• Why the “four weeks” concept drives everything from flavor to sustainability • The challenges of breaking into a saturated coffee market with a bold mission • How 4WKS is educating consumers about compostable pods and waste reduction • The link between coffee rituals, new habits, and lifestyle change • Lessons on purpose-led entrepreneurship and brand storytellingThis episode is packed with insights on building sustainable businesses, reshaping consumer habits, and creating brands that matter.---------- Unlock Your Scale-Ready Score: https://roadmap.metavolve.co/Book a curiosity call with Cameron: https://www.metavolve.co/curiosity-callThis episode is brought to you by Metavolve.Metavolve is a team of focused experts committed to helping entrepreneurs like you scale their businesses successfully. Reach out to our team to learn more: https://metavolve.co/---------- To support The Founder Files:🔔 Subscribe and turn post notifications on⭐ Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts🔗 Connect with Daniel:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-pretorius-54937814b/🔗 Connect with Lulu:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lulu-larch%C3%A9-a3b31b2b4/🔗 Connect with Cameron:Instagram: / thefounderfilespodcast LinkedIn: / cameron-metavolve ---------- Chapters:00:00 Introduction04:10 The Story Behind 4WKS: More Than Just a Name05:33 Inside the 4WKS Business Model: From Roasters to Retail11:33 The Inspiration Behind 4WKS: Where Coffee Meets Sustainability16:43 From Red Espresso to 4WKS: Carving Their Own Path20:26 Why Lulu Joined 4WKS and the Meaning Behind the Name27:05 How 28 Days Off Became a Core Value38:51 Playing to Strengths: Why 4WKS Focuses on Output, Not Hours46:03 When Founders Disagree: Lessons From 4WKS01:02:39 From Supply Chain Struggles to Partnerships With Bootlegger & Seattle01:22:27 Bringing Café Quality Home; Without the Waste01:26:09 The Road Ahead: Scaling 4WKS Beyond South Africa
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1:36:50
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1:36:50
Reinventing Recruitment: How Wamly Built a Global Solution - Francois de Wet, Wamly
How do you turn a simple idea into a global HR solution?In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Francois de Wet, founder of Wamly, an HR tech company transforming the way businesses hire. What started as a video interview platform has evolved into a full end-to-end hiring solution used in 147 countries.From navigating customer churn to learning the power of community-driven product building, Fran shares the real lessons behind scaling Wamly, co-creating with clients, and staying adaptable in a fast-changing market.We dive into:• How Wamly pivoted from video interviews to an all-in-one hiring tool • Lessons learned from early churn and rebuilding trust • The importance of co-creating solutions with customers • Scaling across 147 countries while staying lean • Building resilience as a founder in HR techThis episode is packed with insights on growth, adaptability, and the future of recruitment technology.---------- Unlock Your Scale-Ready Score: https://roadmap.metavolve.co/Book a curiosity call with Cameron: https://www.metavolve.co/curiosity-callThis episode is brought to you by Metavolve.Metavolve is a team of focused experts committed to helping entrepreneurs like you scale their businesses successfully. Reach out to our team to learn more: https://metavolve.co/---------- To support The Founder Files:🔔 Subscribe and turn post notifications on⭐ Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts🔗 Connect with Francois:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/frandewet/🔗 Connect with Cameron:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefounderfilespodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-metavolve/----------00:00 Introduction05:49 From video interviews to HR tech: How Wamly started07:35 Why listening to clients changed everything16:10 The 4 data points that predict job success21:14 How Wamly brings science into recruitment29:34 Why the War for talent demands faster hiring38:20 The painful truth behind why we had to pivot52:57 Building an all-in-one hiring solution that stays simple01:03:20 How Wamly used Wamly to build Wamly01:09:55 The danger of complacency after you ‘Make It’01:18:42 Imposter syndrome and the founder’s burden01:30:57 The leadership lesson that nearly broke me
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1:43:00
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1:43:00
From 1 Café to 12 Brands: The Story of No Name Hospitality - Ariel Segal, No Name Hospitality Group
How do you build a hospitality group that reshapes an entire city?In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Ariel Segal, co-founder of NoName Hospitality Group, the team behind some of Cape Town’s most exciting restaurant brands. Starting with Jared’s Espresso Bar, Ariel and his brother spotted a market gap inspired by Australia’s coffee and dining culture and went on to create 12 unique brands employing over 400 people.From tackling supply chain challenges to transforming Sea Point into a thriving culinary hub, Ariel shares the realities of building and scaling a hospitality group while staying true to customer experience and brand values.We dive into:• The early days of spotting market gaps and building Jaryds• Challenges of scaling restaurants in South Africa’s supply chain context • Balancing customer needs with brand identity • Why Sea Point became the perfect hub for their growth • Lessons on passion, innovation, and sustainable hospitalityThis episode is packed with insights for founders on growth, resilience, and creating experiences that stand the test of time.---------- Unlock Your Scale-Ready Score: https://roadmap.metavolve.co/Book a curiosity call with Cameron: https://www.metavolve.co/curiosity-callThis episode is brought to you by Metavolve.Metavolve is a team of focused experts committed to helping entrepreneurs like you scale their businesses successfully. Reach out to our team to learn more: https://metavolve.co/---------- To support The Founder Files:🔔 Subscribe and turn post notifications on⭐ Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts🔗 Connect with Ariel:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ariel-segal-no-name/🔗 Connect with Cameron:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefounderfilespodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-metavolve/----------00:00 Introduction 04:12 How NoName Hospitality Group Began08:58 The Hidden Challenges of Scaling Restaurants in South Africa14:16 The Rise of Experience-Driven Dining17:16 Balancing Brand Ego with Customer Needs27:01 How to Stay True to Values While Innovating30:15 Ad31:59 How Sea Point Became an Untouched Gem46:31 How We Expanded from One Café to a Group55:15 Why Timing and Market Fit Matter More Than Ideas01:00:34 Soft Launch vs Hard Launch: Which Works Best?
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1:15:31
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1:15:31
From Burnout to Breakthrough - The Stories and Insights That Are Rarely Public
What really happens behind the scenes when building a business? In this episode of The Founder Files, we bring you a powerful montage of founders sharing raw, unfiltered stories about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. From scaling companies to massive success, to hitting breaking points and redefining their purpose, these conversations reveal the real human side of building something from nothing. Through moments of vulnerability, resilience, and growth, these founders open up about the challenges that shaped them; from navigating burnout and personal sacrifice, to making bold hires and facing unexpected threats to their businesses. We dive into:• Founder psychology and mindset shifts• The emotional toll and mental health impact of entrepreneurship• Discovering purpose beyond the corporate ladder• Strategic growth and high-stakes hiring• Overcoming operational crises and external threatsThis episode is a masterclass in resilience, self-awareness, and the pursuit of meaningful success.---------- Book a curiosity call with Cameron: https://www.metavolve.co/curiosity-callThis episode is brought to you by Metavolve.Metavolve is a team of focused experts committed to helping entrepreneurs like you scale their businesses successfully. Reach out to our team to learn more: https://metavolve.co/---------- Unlock Your Scale-Ready Score: https://roadmap.metavolve.co/To support The Founder Files:🔔 Subscribe and turn post notifications on⭐ Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts🔗 Connect with Cameron:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefounderfilespodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-metavolve/----------00:00 Introduction03:13 Paul Cool, Silvertree Brands12:17 Claude Hanan & Luke Jedeikin, Superbalist32:31 Matt Putman, iKhokha47:54 Ad49:04 Tracey Chambers, Taking Care of Business01:02:38 Katlego Maphai, Yoco01:10:38 Jessica Boonstra, Yebo Fresh
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1:23:25
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1:23:25
How Plentify Is Solving Load Shedding With AI - Jon Kornik and Kailas Nair, Plentify
Can a smart geyser help fix Africa’s power grid?In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Jon Kornik and Kailas Nair from Plentify, a climate-tech startup rethinking how everyday devices like geysers can stabilize energy supply across Africa.From load shedding challenges to global partnerships, Plentify is on a mission to use AI, behavioral science, and demand management to transform how we power our homes. Jon and Kailas open up about the complexity of building hardware and software solutions in emerging markets, and what it takes to make climate impact commercially viable.We dive into:• How smart geysers are solving energy demand chaos• Making demand response sexy (and useful)• Building hardware in a software-first world• Partnering with utilities, governments & energy providers• Creating real impact in climate-vulnerable marketsThis episode is packed with insights on product innovation, market timing, and building tech that truly matters.---------- Unlock Your Scale-Ready Score: https://roadmap.metavolve.co/Book a curiosity call with Cameron: https://www.metavolve.co/curiosity-callThis episode is brought to you by Metavolve.Metavolve is a team of focused experts committed to helping entrepreneurs like you scale their businesses successfully. Reach out to our team to learn more: https://metavolve.co/---------- To support The Founder Files:🔔 Subscribe and turn post notifications on⭐ Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts💭 Share your thoughts on Linkedin and tag Cameron Coutts🔗 Connect with Jon:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-kornik-66b9b410/🔗 Connect with Kailas:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kailasnairbio/🔗 Connect with Cameron:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefounderfilespodcast/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameron-metavolve/----------00:00 Introduction04:02 Fixing the broken energy system05:49 How Plentify’s tech actually works10:04 Scaling smarter: Where Plentify is today16:22 Understanding the core of Plentify’s business model20:53 What exactly is a virtual power plant?29:09 Behind the scenes: Founding Plentify-part 136:40 Plentify’s vision: Powering a sustainable future42:34 Behind the scenes: Founding Plentify-part 251:58 The product journey and fund raising: Developing Plentify’s tech55:55 Lessons learned: Mistakes that shaped Plentify01:07:46 Managing high-stakes decisions as a founder01:12:06 Navigating today’s fundraising challenges01:14:43 The dynamics of a remote co-founder relationship01:17:07 Key insights gained from past experiences01:19:55 Charting the future: What’s next for Plentify?01:25:21 The Founder Files question
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The Founder Files is where founders come to explore proven growth strategies and real entrepreneurial challenges.
Hosted by Cameron Coutts, each episode unpacks the complex journeys of scaling businesses, delivered by entrepreneurs who've walked the path. No script, no filter – just a fireside chat between growth-driven founders.
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