Candid Conversations with Charles Hsuan from Flying Kite

At the height of his corporate banking career, Brad Sadler had it all—title, influence, and respect. But with each decision, the lines blurred… until the day they didn’t. In 1994, Brad was arrested for fraud, accused of defrauding a bank of R70 million. Denial, shame, and a four-year court case followed. And then—prison. In this raw and redemptive episode, Brad sits down with Charles to share what...

What does freestyling in a rap battle have in common with delivering a TEDx talk? More than you think. In this powerful episode, Charles sits down with Robin to explore how the rhythm of hip-hop helped him find his voice on the world’s most respected stages. But this isn’t just a story about performance. It’s about purpose, perseverance, and personal transformation. Robin shares how chasing his dr...

Meet Keith Fairhurst. He wasn’t born into business. In fact, he grew up in a family shaped by war and frugality—his parents from the working-class streets of Liverpool during WWII, later starting fresh in South Africa in the 1950s. Back then, the dream was simple: Get a stable job, stick with it for 40 years, and retire with a pension. But Keith’s dream? It started with a surfboard. At 13, Keith w...

In this episode, Charles welcomes franchise finance expert Laurette Pienaar from Finco Select to the mic to break down what every franchise owner should know but often doesn’t . If you're thinking about becoming a franchisee—or already own one or more stores—this episode will save you time, stress, and money. Laurette, explains why franchising has evolved and why the old one-store model no longer...

Prina Shah believes work isn’t just about money—it’s about impact. She shares how her father’s experience as a migrant worker influenced her HR career and later, her book, Make Work Meaningful. In this episode, she and Charles explore the power of leadership, trust, and patience in culture-building. Plus, Prina reveals how she turned her book into a tool for business growth.

“I’ve yet to meet anyone who can hit a golf ball further than me,” claims John Watson . Well, I say, challenge him to a longest-drive competition! From growing up as a pastor’s kid, working retail jobs, handing out flyers, and waitering to fund his chartered accountant degree, John never imagined he’d become self-employed or host The Right Place Podcast and Clara Business Network . What changed? I...

Ever been stuck without cash to tip? Kimlynn Temple turned that frustration into Tipped —a cashless tipping platform that’s lifting incomes for service workers by 40%. In this episode, Kimlynn opens up about her journey as a faith-driven entrepreneur. Tipt isn’t just about convenience; it’s about creating dignity and financial inclusion, especially for underserved communities. We’ll talk about the...

Choosing a career like sales coaching wasn't even on the school's radar when I picked my subjects. It's not something you can study at university either. But here's the twist: my Commercial Law lecture unknowingly planted a seed in me. That little nudge set me on a path I never saw coming. It just shows that sometimes the most unexpected moments shape our future the most.

On today’s Candid Conversations , Charles Hsuan and Jordaan Jacobs discuss what it truly takes to make a business thrive—beyond the bottom line. Jordaan opens up about his career transition, the systems thinking that guides his approach to problem-solving, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. They talk about the power of intentional habits, strategic partnerships, and the courage to embrace...

Imagine growing up in a Zulu community while being white—your views and experiences would be unique compared to those around you. Over time, you realize these unique insights can be valuable, and you start a business called "Minanawe Marketing" (which means "You and Me"). Along the way, you also educate others about the Township economy (KasiNomic) and give back to the communit...

Growing up with an alcoholic and absent father, Danny didn't have an easy life. He envied kids with a 'normal' life and knew he didn't want to repeat his family's history. Determined, Danny became the first in his family to earn a degree. Danny found his calling in accounting. With the support of his wife and mentors, he started his business theAteam , in 2017. Since then, he&#...

I recently chatted with Arthur Goldstuck, who's pretty unique because he's got his own wiki page —talk about impressive! Arthur's been diving into tech since '95 with his book Hitchhikers guide to the internet , followed by Hitchhiker's Guide to Going Mobile and The Hitchhiker's Guide To Going Wireless . Now, he's onto The Hitchhiker's Guide to AI . Apart from tech,...

Today, we're diving into a story that many of us can relate to—fear of rejection and the journey to mastering communication. Our guest, Chris Fenning once avoided selling because he dreaded hearing a "no." But now? He embraces those "no's" because he knows they're steps closer to a "yes." Chris is passionate about "Making communication less painful&qu...

Ever heard the word "strategy" and thought, "What's that all about?" It's a fancy term, but let's break it down. Imagine your orthodontist telling you, "You don't HAVE to brush every tooth, but if you only brush the ones you want to keep, that's pretty smart." That's strategy! It's about choosing to do what really matters. Now, lots of comp...

Do you know the person who sits next to you every day at work? 🤔 I remember sitting beside Yoke van Dam back in 2013, both of us navigating the challenges of sales roles under a demanding boss (rightly so!). We celebrated our victories when we hit our sales targets, and we lifted each other when we fell short. You see someone every day and think you have a good grasp of who they are, but sometime...

In this episode, Charles introduces the multi-faceted Andre Bresler of Benchmark International, whose diverse career background enriches his role in mergers and acquisitions. They delve into Andre's entrepreneurial journey, from a pub meeting that birthed a business listed on Alt-x to selling it twice. The conversation spotlights the nuances of timing in business sales, illustrated through the...

We're joined by the incredible Mandi Hart, the author of " Parenting with courage " and " Courage In The Fire ," along with " Parenting World Changers ." Mandi takes us on a journey, from her childhood dream of being a music professor to her unexpected detour into marketing and even surfing. She's all about that courage, and we're diving deep into how it&#...

Are you a high-growth entrepreneur searching for the right network to boost your business journey?  Look no further!  Civitas  is 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐄𝐎 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐝. Let me introduce you to  Paul Smith , the visionary behind this incredible community. Paul's journey is legit. He diligently saved for years and self-funded Civitas back in 2019. But here's the real magic—Paul kno...

Tiffany Markman , is an acclaimed copywriter, trainer, and speaker. Tiffany has built a reputation for her skills in writing and messaging, brand voice, digital marketing, content strategy, and creative ideation. With an impressive portfolio of working with 570 different brands in 15 countries and addressing over 29,600 individuals, Tiffany's expertise shines through. During the podcast, Tiffa...

Welcome to this week's Candid Conversations podcast! Today, Charles sits down with Graeme Schnell, the CEO of Focus on the Family South Africa . Graeme shares his serendipity story of how he landed a job that he initially thought he wasn't qualified for, and how it led him to where he is today. They also discuss the similarities and differences between running a ministry and running a busi...

Our guest this week is well-respected ophthalmologist Philip Phatudi, who runs SowetoEye with his wife, Precious . Philip shares his personal story of being inspired by his grandmother's struggle with losing her eyesight, which led him to pursue medicine and help others like her. He also talks about the tough choices he had to make about his career and how he ultimately chose medicine. During...

In this episode, we're excited to have Shelley Walters, the CEO of The Sales Counsel joining us. Her company is the first in South Africa to offer fully remote sales courses. Shelley shares her inspiring journey from a difficult upbringing to a successful entrepreneur. She talks about how she learned the value of hard work and business ownership from her grandfather, and how moving to a new ci...

Renee Hasseldine is the founder and CEO of Think RAPT . Her company helps clients with the creation of visual models and intellectual property. By simplifying your message through the use of visuals, Renee believes that you can successfully scale your business. Visuals are also a powerful tool to communicate complex concepts in a simplified and clear way. In this episode, Charles chats to Renee ab...

Mark Sham is the founder of Suits and Sneakers , an informal, online, education platform. He also presents the travel channel, Like a Tourist (Act like a tourist in your own city) Mark believes that there are many ways to become an expert. While formal education has its place, it doesn’t cater to everyone. In this episode, Charles talks more to Mark about informal approaches to effective learning....

How do you start and grow a profitable private practice as a health professional? As a health professional, the topic of “Marketing and Sales” was never part of your curriculum. That is why Tasneem started the Private Practice Growth Club in 2019 to teach other health professionals the value of effective marketing and selling their services. As a self-employed Occupational Therapist (OT) Tasneem A...