The Business of Influence

THE CAR YOU DRIVE SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT YOU. HYUNDAI FIGURED THAT OUT 25 YEARS AGO. In this episode of the Business of Influence Podcast, hosted by Leroy Marc, Nontokozo Biyam joins the conversation to unpack one of the most fascinating brand localisation stories in South African marketing history. How does a foreign automotive brand become a home brand? How does a vehicle manufacturer earn a place...

EXECUTION IS THE CURRENCY. EVERYTHING ELSE IS JUST POTENTIAL.In this episode of Founder's Desk, hosted by Tami Ruschin, Nicole Maweni, founder and Managing Director of Open Gallery, pulls back the curtain on what talent management actually looks like behind the scenes. Open Gallery exists to give creative talent, from artists and musicians to brand builders and influencers, the infrastructure...

HARD WORK WITHOUT A SYSTEM IS JUST NOISE. HERE IS WHAT ACTUALLY BUILDS A BUSINESS. In this episode of the Business of Influence Podcast, hosted by Leroy Marc, Bulelani Balabala delivers one of the most honest conversations about entrepreneurship, visibility and brand building that this show has ever hosted. Hard work is not enough, and if you have been grinding without seeing results that match th...

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...

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 be...

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 som...

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 accountabili...

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...

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...

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 approa...

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 con...

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 ho...

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 d...

In this crossover episode of Business of Influence and Founder’s Desk, host Leroy Marc sits down with Nwabisa Mda to unpack the growing professionalism of the creator economy and what it really takes to build a sustainable career in content. From the shift away from passive content creation to intentional brand building, this conversation explores why creators must move beyond chasing deals and st...

In this episode of Business of Influence, host Leroy Marc sits down with the founder and CEO of Chenin Noir, Xolani Mancotywa, to unpack the intersection of premium beverage culture, social influence and consumer psychology. From premium liquor as a marker of status to the emotional drivers behind luxury consumption, this conversation explores how identity, aspiration and achievement are increasin...

In this episode of Founder’s Desk, host Tami Ruschin sits down with Lebohang Mabeba and Abby Saohatse to unpack what it really takes to build trust with South African consumers in a low trust environment. From navigating the gap between brand intention and audience perception to building relationships rooted in accountability, Lebo and Abby share a practical perspective on how founders can create...

In this episode of Founder’s Desk, host Tami Ruschin sits down with Nkgabiseng Motau, Co-Founder of Think Creative Africa, to unpack what it really takes to build brands that resonate in South Africa’s mass market. From integrating cultural insight into every stage of the creative process to prioritising genuine client relationships over transactional engagements, Nkgabiseng shares a grounded appr...

In this episode of Business of Influence, host Leroy Marc sits down with Craig Jacobs, fashion designer, columnist and entrepreneur, to unpack the evolving landscape of media in Africa and the shifting relationship between legacy and digital platforms. From the rise of journalists as personal brands to the enduring value of credibility in legacy media, Craig reflects on how influence has moved fro...

In this episode of Founder’s Desk, we unpack the reality of scaling a small creative agency with Mika Stefano and Herkie Du Preez, founders of Strong PR.From launching during COVID-19 to building a multi-divisional business, they share what it really takes to move from survival mode to structured growth. This conversation dives into the unglamorous but critical side of scaling. Systems, processes...

Koketso Masisi is a creative director and entrepreneur shaping the intersection of culture, creativity and commerce. In this episode, she unpacks the tension between bold creative expression and commercial impact, challenging brands to move beyond vanity metrics and define success through cultural resonance, brand love and measurable intent. Koketso also advocates for stronger agency client partne...

In the first episode of Founder’s Desk, host Tami Ruschin sits down with Pat Mahlangu, brandpreneur and founder of Pat on Brands, to unpack the power and risk of founder visibility. From launching Pat on Brands as a blog a decade ago to building a media platform, consultancy and the Youth Own Brands Awards, Mahlangu shares how founders can turn personal credibility into brand equity while protecti...

We are so back! In the pilot episode of Season 4, host Leroy Marc sits down with Nombulelo Fox and Mbali Cobotwana to unpack the real state of the creator economy in South Africa. Nombulelo Fox, a Film, TV and Entertainment Reviewer, #TikTokAwards 2024 nominee and contributor on Unfollowed on #Showmax, brings a sharp cultural lens on how credibility and authority are built online, while Mbali aka...

The Innovation & Marketing team steps out from behind the curtain for the Season 3 finale of The Business of Influence. At the top of the season, we said we were cooking up a storm; now we’re closing the year by bringing you up close and personal with the people working behind the scenes to bring the podcast to life. In this episode, the team breaks down the real impact of Season 3: the conver...

AI isn’t the villain, it’s the power tool. Darren Morris breaks down why the creator economy isn’t under threat; it’s evolving. Passion still drives creativity, and IMC remains the space where marketers recalibrate, reconnect, and get honest about what’s working. Watch the full conversation now and stay ahead of the curve. Follow our guest: https://tr.ee/HGAY2J Follow Us On: Instagram: https://tr....

In this IMC Series episode, we sat down with Vaughan Croeser, Vice President of Marketing at SAB, to unpack why marketing is not a support function; it’s a strategic co-pilot. Vaughan shares why marketers should not be fighting for a seat at the table, but actively shaping direction and driving organisational growth. We explore how brand consistency, purpose alignment, and long-term strategic infl...