How RIYP Became South Africa’s Fastest-Growing Exporter - Uzair Essack, Riyp
How do you turn debt and risk into global growth?In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Uzair Essack, founder of Riyp one of South Africa’s fastest-growing exporters in agriculture and logistics. From being a million rand in debt in his early 20s to building a business that ships fresh produce across the globe, Uzair shares the raw realities of scaling under pressure.He opens up about why he risked his last money to fly to Qatar in search of opportunity, how he reinvented the exporter–farmer model, and why he believes outsourcing beats in-house hiring for scale. This is a masterclass in resilience, strategy, and spotting opportunity in tough markets.We dive into: • How Uzair went from R1M in debt to exporting globally • The leap of faith that changed his life in Qatar • Why the old export model was broken and what he built instead • The power of outsourcing vs. hiring internally • Lessons from scaling one of SA’s fastest-growing exporting companyThis episode is packed with lessons for founders about risk, resilience, and building scalable systems that last.---------- 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 Uzair:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uzairessack/🔗 Connect with Cameron:Instagram: / thefounderfilespodcast LinkedIn: / cameron-metavolve ----------Chapters:00:00 Introduction04:14 How Uzair Built a Global Export Business Alone11:19 The Hidden Cost of Scaling Solo: Burnout & Bottlenecks13:27 Why Growing Up With Less Sparked Uzair’s Drive18:17 University Struggles: Choosing Hustle Over Assignments25:18 Pineapples, Persistence, and the First Steps Toward RIYP35:33 Breaking the Old Model: How Uzair Won Farmers’ Trust47:27 At 23 A Million Rand in Debt: From Suicidal Thoughts to Lessons in Resilience55:34 The Sheikh, The Deal, The Funding: Riyp’s First Big Break01:18:06 Outsourcing + Systems: How Ripe Scaled Solo01:37:28 What Does The Future Look Like For Riyp
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1:43:48
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1:43:48
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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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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