Durban Small Business Podcast

Kythe Creative
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  • Entrepreneurship

Meet the humans behind our local businesses and find out what they do, why they do it and how they keep on going. I hope the stories will inspire you and help you feel connected to our 031 community. This podcast is hosted by Luke Holden and is produced by his own business - Kythe Creative. Kythe Creative helps Business owners and NGO's discover their story and share it with the world through video and audio content.

  1. 27 Aug

    Building a Business That Outlasts You | Dinesh Chetty

    Most founders build a business around themselves. The real challenge is building one that can survive without them. In this episode of the Durban Small Business Podcast, Luke Holden has a conversation with Dinesh Chetty, founder of DPF Home Loan Negotiators, to explore how a small finance business started in 2004 grew into a national operation that has helped more than 60,000 South Africans on their journey to homeownership. We explore the discipline behind more than two decades in business, why Dinesh believes your biggest competitor should be yourself, and how losing some of his passion forced him to reconnect with the reason he started in the first place. This conversation goes deep into team building. he explains why trust and transparency matter more than almost anything else when bringing people into a small business, how he transitioned from being the person closing deals to coaching others, and why the right people become “plug-ins” to the future of the company. Timestamps 01:06 Dinesh’s conversation card and his 3am working routine05:47 How Dinesh involved his family in the business journey07:19 Finding practical ways to protect family time10:03 How DPF Home Loan Negotiators started in 200413:02 Earning trust as a 21-year-old in property finance15:02 The difficult decision to start expanding the team20:13 Making money without losing the soul of the business24:29 Why discipline and consistency are critical to longevity29:06 Finding the right people and building a team based on trust33:47 Social media, comparison and shutting out the noise38:24 Reconnecting with customers and the stories behind the business43:17 The shift from being the best player to becoming a coach48:29 The next chapter of growth for DPF Home Loan Negotiators53:41 Mitigating risk and planning for what could go wrong57:31 Why trust is the foundation of a successful business Who is Dinesh Chetty? Dinesh Chetty is the founder of DPF Home Loan Negotiators, formerly Durban Property Finance, a business he started in 2004 after helping his own family navigate the process of securing their first home loan. Beginning from a small office with no established team, Dinesh spent more than two decades building a mortgage origination business centred on personalised service, relationships and understanding the story behind every application. By 2019, the business had helped approximately 25,000 people on their homeownership journey. Since then, DPF has grown rapidly, surpassing 60,000 homeowners and expanding from a Durban-based operation into a national network of home loan negotiators. A major focus of Dinesh’s leadership today is building a team capable of carrying the values, service and legacy of DPF into its next chapter. Links: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinesh-chetty-5a3678109/🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dinesh.chetty.9🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chettydinesh/ 🔗 DPF Website: https://durbanpropertyfinance.com/🔗 DPF Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/durbanpropertyfinance/🔗 DPF Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dpf_home_loan_negotiators_/ SUBSCRIBE for more Stories from our local Durban Brands. This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative:YouTube - / @kythecreativeInstagram - / kythecreativemedia Listen on:Spotify -https://sptfy.com/durbansmallbusinessApple podcast -https://apple.co/3mQqpVj Follow:Instagram - / durbansmallbusinessFacebook - / durbansmallbusiness

    Building a Business That Outlasts You | Dinesh Chetty

  2. 6 Aug

    From a Chairman within FirstRand to Trust Strategist

    What changes when trust becomes a deliberate leadership strategy rather than something leaders simply hope will develop? In this episode of the Durban Small Business Podcast, Luke Holden and Shane Ward, founder of IDthree, to explore how leaders can build organisations in which people feel safe, included and willing to contribute their best thinking. They explore his Straight Eight trust framework, including inviting participation, sacrificing personal utility, transparency and vulnerability. He explains why people take ownership of strategies they help create, why leaders should place the wellbeing of clients and teams above their own immediate interests, and how transparency prevents uncertainty from becoming damaging workplace speculation. Timestamps 01:04 A personal reflection on Shane’s father, courage and regret 03:13 Shane’s journey from young manager to senior FirstRand leader 08:24 Why businesses must think beyond what worked yesterday 10:41 The growing trust crisis and the pursuit of truth 20:27 Deciding to leave FirstRand after more than 14 years 27:16 Starting IDthree and helping businesses improve strategy and trust 32:15 How Shane developed the Straight Eight trust framework 36:18 Inviting participation and creating shared accountability 44:33 Sacrificing personal utility and putting others first 48:49 Why transparency means giving people context 54:22 Vulnerability and bringing humanity into leadership 01:03:05 Psychological safety, innovation and receiving people’s ideas 01:08:43 The difference between change and transition 01:14:42 IDthree’s services and the difference between managers and leaders Who is Shane Ward? Shane Ward is the founder of IDthree and a leadership strategist, speaker and business coach specialising in trust, strategy and organisational transition. Before establishing IDthree, Shane spent more than 14 years within FirstRand. His leadership journey included serving as chairman of a wealth and investment division comprising six businesses and approximately 170 people across FNB Private Bank and RMB Private Wealth. Today, Shane works with leadership teams through keynote sessions, workshops and longer strategic journeys. He helps businesses create stronger cultures of trust, develop practical strategies, improve accountability and navigate change more effectively. Links: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-ward-62bb7b121/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shane.ward.737001 🔗 Website: https://www.idthree.co.za/ 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/idthree__/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/idthree.sa

    From a Chairman within FirstRand to Trust Strategist

  3. 23 Jul

    Why Building for Impact Beats Chasing Profit

    Most impact work starts with good intentions, but good intentions are not enough to change a community. In this episode of the Durban Small Business Podcast, Luke Holden has a conversation with Warren Farrer, the CEO and Trustee of the Do More Foundation, to explore how a corporate social investment initiative inside RCL Foods became a growing, partnership-led foundation focused on creating better tomorrows for young children in South Africa. We explore the difference between charity and meaningful corporate social investment, the role of communication in building trust, and why businesses need to be careful about chasing visible outputs instead of real systems change. This conversation offers practical insight for business owners, non-profit leaders, and anyone interested in building something that creates lasting value beyond the brand. Timestamps 00:10 Warren’s conversation card and bungee jumping at Victoria Falls 02:20 Learning, leadership, and Warren’s doctorate journey 06:17 Warren introduces the Do More Foundation 07:18 From marketing to corporate social investment 09:47 Why transparency and communication matter 13:31 Using his doctorate to understand and replicate the model 14:37 Covid, food insecurity, and distributing meals to children 18:23 Purpose, legacy, and supporting young children 23:09 The Do More Foundation’s purpose statement 24:43 How partners contribute to meaningful impact 25:51 RCL Foods’ funding share shifting from around 95% to 17% 27:18 Why real community change takes seven to ten years 29:03 Why partners should contribute from their strengths 31:23 Vanity metrics, painted classrooms, and what really matters 33:53 Building culture and team inside the foundation 37:35 Why brilliant people matter in non-profit work 38:26 Intentional teamwork, innovation, and learning 40:27 The Mandela Day peanut butter sandwich challenge 44:05 The secret sauce of play in the workplace 47:09 Leadership, freedom, accountability, and trust 49:22 Pam Picken and Warren’s introduction to early childhood development 50:33 Why the early years matter so much 52:24 Mentorship, timing, and creating your own luck 54:41 Warren’s advice for small business owners 58:44 Why businesses must be careful what they measure 01:04:03 Warren’s closing thoughts on passion and energy Who is Warren Farrer? Warren Farrer is the CEO and Trustee of the Do More Foundation, a proudly South African non-profit organisation founded by RCL Foods in 2017. The foundation focuses on creating better tomorrows for young children by bringing together partners across the public, private and non-profit sectors. Today, Warren leads a team working across early childhood development, nutrition, community development, and systems change, with a strong belief in purpose, play, collaboration, and practical hope. Links: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warren-farrer-988613146/ 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warren.farrer 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warrenfarrer/ 🔗 Do More Foundation Website: https://domore.org.za/ 🔗 Do More Foundation LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-do-more-foundation/ 🔗 Do More Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/domore.org.za/ 🔗 Do More Foundation Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domorefoundation/ 🔗 Do More Foundation Twitter: https://x.com/domore_org 🔗 Do More Foundation YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPq7UH1B7MN1O_TTLRpoKIA SUBSCRIBE for more Stories from our local Durban Brands. This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative:Website -/ kythecreative.co.za YouTube - / @kythecreative Instagram - / kythecreativemedia Listen on: Spotify -https://sptfy.com/durbansmallbusiness Apple podcast -https://apple.co/3mQqpVj Follow: Instagram - / durbansmallbusiness Facebook - / durbansmallbusiness

    Why Building for Impact Beats Chasing Profit

  4. 9 Jul

    Stepping Into a 170-Year Legacy Without Losing Yourself

    What does it take to build your own identity inside family businesses?In this episode of the Durban Small Business Podcast, Luke Holden and Mia Acutt, Operations Manager at Acutts Real Estate, explore her journey from a small town to helping lead one of South Africa's longest-standing family real estate businesses.Mia shares her unexpected career path, from studying, working aboard to eventually joining Acutts Real Estate. This conversation offers valuable takeaways for anyone working in a family business, building a long-term career, or trying to create meaningful impact through relationships.Timestamps00:10 Introduction to Mia Acutt and Holland relocation.2:14 Studying beauty therapy and life working on cruise ships.05:04 Travel, confidence and self-discovery.07:28 Moving into spa management.10:00 Childhood responsibility and learning to organise.15:18 Balancing work, family and switching off.17:28 Returning to South Africa and starting over.21:46 Meeting Jonathan Acutt and discovering the family legacy.23:18 Joining Acutts Real Estate.28:08 Building relationships across the Acutts network.31:14 Establishing confidence and credibility.34:39 Why Mia launched the Real Talk Real Estate podcast.41:06 Challenges facing the real estate industry.45:20 The people who shaped Mia's journey.49:42 The legacy Mia hopes to leave behind.52:53 Knowing when to walk away from a relationship.55:59 Reflections on life, leadership and adding value.Who is Mia Acutt?Mia Acutt is the Operations Manager of Acutts Real Estate. Originally trained in beauty therapy, Mia spent four years working aboard international cruise ships before returning to South Africa and building a successful career in hospitality, wellness, and business operations. Today, she has a key leadership role within the Acutts group, overseeing operational functions, supporting franchise growth, mentoring agents, and helping expand the business into new markets. She’s also the host of the Real Talk Real Estate podcast, where she brings together industry experts to educate buyers, sellers, investors, and aspiring property professionals.Links:🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mia.acutt🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mia-acutt-acutts/🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mia.acutt/🔗 Website: https://www.acutts.co.za/agents/mia-acutt/12806/SUBSCRIBE for more Stories from our local Durban Brands.This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative:YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kythecreativeInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/kythecreativemediaListen on:Spotify - https://sptfy.com/durbansmallbusinessApple podcast - https://apple.co/3mQqpVjFollow:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/durbansmallbusinessFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/durbansmallbusiness

    Stepping Into a 170-Year Legacy Without Losing Yourself

  5. 25 Jun

    Alleviate Hidden Stress and Recover your Nervous System

    What does it look like to slow down before your body forces you to stop? Aneesa shares how Float Wellness was started by her late husband, Saleem, after discovering floatation therapy through research and taking the leap and brought the experience to Durban. She reflects on her own journey into Body Stress Release, what she learned about stress, stored tension, and the importance of creating space to reconnect with yourself. This conversation isn’t just about float therapy but more about how to regulate your nervous system and simple practices business owners can use to get back to full capacity. Timestamps 01:35 Introduction Aneesa Dadabhay and Float Wellness 06:03 Life before Float Wellness and how the journey began 11:46 Practical ways to manage stress and look after yourself 17:38 Why self-care takes work and why founders look for quick fixes 21:00 Understanding the parasympathetic state 24:08 Early warning signs of burnout 28:05 Aneesa’s turning point through Body Stress Release 31:12 Learning to sit calmly in the storm 36:05 Three patterns that keep people stuck in stress mode 38:12 What Body Stress Release does for stored tension 44:22 Who Body Stress Release is most helpful for 48:00 What happens during a floatation therapy session 52:35 Floatation therapy, anxiety, and sensory reduction 56:27 Business ownership as a journey of self-awareness 59:30 Advice for business owners struggling with anxiety Who is Aneesa Dadabhay? Aneesa Dadabhay is the owner of Float Wellness in Musgrave, Durban, and a practitioner at Body Stress Release Centre. Her journey into this work began after seeing how body stress release helped her late husband, Saleem, with ongoing back and sciatic pain. After training on the Garden Route, Aneesa built her practice around helping people understand how stress, tension, and overload can show up in the body. Through her work she supports people looking for natural, complementary ways to manage stress, pain, sleep, and nervous system recovery. Links: 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aneesa.dadabhay/ 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aneesa.bodystressrelease/ 🔗 Website: https://floatwellness.co.za/ SUBSCRIBE for more Stories from our local Durban Brands. This Podcast is produced by Kythe Creative: YouTube - / @kythecreative Instagram - / kythecreativemedia Listen on: Spotify -https://sptfy.com/durbansmallbusiness Apple podcast -https://apple.co/3mQqpVj Follow: Instagram - / durbansmallbusiness Facebook - / durbansmallbusiness

    Alleviate Hidden Stress and Recover your Nervous System

  6. 11 Jun

    A Business Built on Empathy With Claire De Sylva

    What does it mean to build a small business that holds space for people during life’s hardest transitions? We get to talk with Claire De Sylva, founder of Claire’s Concepts, to explore how her work helping families declutter and relocate is about far more than organising homes. Through her business, Claire helps people navigate difficult life moments such as loss, downsizing, relocation, and major transitions. In this conversation we explore the emotional side of letting go, the psychology behind why people hold onto possessions, and how a deeply personal experience shaped Claire’s purpose-driven business. Timestamps 02:45 What Claire’s Concepts Actually Does 05:35 Helping People Through Life Transitions 06:00 Why We Hold On to “Stuff” 06:55 The Emotional Weight of Letting Go 08:30 Death, Divorce and Major Life Changes 09:30 The Psychology of Clutter 12:40 Helping Families Find Closure 15:20 The Role of Empathy in Her Work 18:45 The Business Behind Claire’s Concepts 21:50 Building a Second-Hand Thrift Model 25:10 Sustainability and Circular Economy 28:30 The Durban North Community Market 31:40 Generosity as a Business Principle 35:10 Supporting People Through Emigration 39:20 Setting Boundaries in Emotional Work 43:10 Advice for Small Business Owners 46:30 Building a Business That Holds Space for People 49:00 Final Thoughts Who is Claire Da Sylva? Claire Da Sylva is the founder of Claire’s Concepts, a Durban-based business that provides professional organising, relocation support, and sustainable thrifting services. Her work focuses on helping individuals and families navigate major life transitions while creating space for what matters most. Links Website: https://www.clairesconcepts.co.za/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claire-de-sylva-36b4b21a1/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claires_concepts_thriftshop/ and https://www.instagram.com/resetandgo_sa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buyandsellallsorts TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@clairesconcepts Produced by Kythe Creative High-end video and podcast production that helps brands make meaningful content. Learn more: Website: ⁠⁠⁠kythecreative.co.za⁠⁠⁠ Socials: ⁠⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ 📈 In partnership with Tim.Africa Podcast publishing and performance marketing studio. Together, we offer a full end-to-end podcast solution — from strategy to launch. Learn more: ⁠⁠⁠tim.africa⁠⁠⁠ --- Support Durban Small Business: If you found value in this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe — it helps us reach more people building meaningful businesses in Durban and beyond. Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠⁠and ⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠

    A Business Built on Empathy With Claire De Sylva

  7. 28 May

    Seeds of Greatness and Building Businesses for Impact with Cindy Norcott

    What if the strongest businesses aren’t built around profit, but around people first? What does it look like to build a business that is sustainable, profitable, and deeply impactful? Cindy shares how Pro Talent began with just R2,500 in the bank and about the early challenges she faced in the recruitment industry. We also explored Cindy’s personal story, including the mentor who helped her see the “seeds of greatness” in herself, and how that moment shaped the way she now sees potential in others. This conversation offers both inspiration and practical insight for small business owners who wants to build something that serves people well. From discrimination in the recruitment industry to the importance of hiring for good employers, she unpacks it all in this episode. Timestamps 01:35 Introduction Cindy Norcott and impact-first businesses 06:46 Why generosity must start inside your own team 11:46 How Pro Talent began 13:50 What getting a job does for a person 16:02 Discrimination in recruitment and sending candidates on merit 20:38 What bad hiring delays cost a business 24:18 Hire slowly, fire quickly, and the 12-piece hiring puzzle 29:39 What “a heart for people” means at Pro Talent 36:02 Generosity as a sustainable business advantage 40:22 Seeing people beyond the transaction 44:27 Cindy’s childhood “Thrilling Three Society” 46:07 The mentor who saw Cindy’s seeds of greatness 49:59 Why business owners need mentors 52:47 How Cindy learned to see potential in others 01:05:44 What the Robin Hood Foundation does 01:10:05 Cindy’s next season: leading the leaders 01:18:25 Cindy’s advice on purpose, values, and intentionality Who is Cindy Norcott? Cindy Norcott is the founder of Pro Talent, a Durban-based recruitment company she started in 1994. For 32 years, she has helped companies find the right people while helping the new employees access opportunity, and purpose. She is also the founder of the Robin Hood Foundation, a Durban-based non-profit organisation that began from a simple act of giving and grew into a major community impact initiative. Through projects such as Mahala Markets, sandwich drives, granny gifting, and support for vulnerable families, the foundation has helped restore dignity and practical support to people across communities. Cindy is also a keynote speaker, author, mentor, and advocate for generosity in business. Her work is rooted in seeing the potential in people and helping them recognise the seeds of greatness within themselves. Links: 🔗 Cindy Norcott’s Website: https://cindynorcott.co.za/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindynorcott 🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cindy.norcott 🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cindy.norcott/ 🔗 Pro Talent Website: https://pro-talent.co.za/ 🔗 Robin Hood Foundation Website: https://www.robinhoodfoundation.co.za/ SUBSCRIBE for more Stories from our local Durban Brands. 🎬 *Produced by * [@kythecreative](https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC92q4tectxwWq7CGbp42CXg) High-end video and podcast production and strategy that helps brands make meaningful content. Learn more: https://www.kythecreative.co.za YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@kythecreative Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kythecreativemedia 📈 *In partnership with * [@TIM.AFRICA](https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UCTotE3T-1cf5zdQ1Nq7DCTw) Podcast publishing and performance marketing studio. Together, we offer a full end-to-end podcast solution — from strategy to launch. Learn more https://www.tim.africa YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TIM.AFRICA Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tim.africa --- 📢 *Support the show:* You can also find us on the most podcast platforms: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4FypREBx6HNIVSmkCQZjik Apple podcast - https://apple.co/3mQqpVj Follow us on: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/durbansmallbusiness Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/durbansmallbusiness

    Seeds of Greatness and Building Businesses for Impact with Cindy Norcott

  8. 19 Mar

    Scaling Purpose From First Client to Community Impact

    Most businesses don't start with a strategy, they start with a problem. In this episode, we sit down with Catherine Clark, founder of The Harvest Table, to explore how a personal health crisis became the foundation for a disciplined, purpose-driven business that now impacts families and communities across Durban. Who is Catherine Clark? Catherine Clark is the founder of The Harvest Table, a KZN-based wellness brand built from her own health journey after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma at 20. What began as a personal search for clean, effective nutrition has grown into a purpose-driven business creating products, jobs, and wider community impact. 🔗 Website: https://harvesttable.co.za/🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherine-clark-53235727/🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whole_healthy_me_/ Timestamps 00:54 Meet Catherine Clark and The Harvest Table02:14 What people see when they look at Harvest Table today04:27 Payroll, responsibility, and supporting families08:04 Starting Harvest Table as a side business09:41 Her Hodgkin’s lymphoma journey and health motivation12:18 How her CA background shaped the business16:07 Humility, mentors, and asking for help23:35 Realising she was the right person to lead the business26:03 From diagnosis to product creation33:19 How to scale purpose without losing it38:47 Scaling into new markets while creating jobs in KZN Produced by Kythe Creative High-end video and podcast production that helps brands make meaningful content. Learn more: Website: ⁠⁠kythecreative.co.za⁠⁠ Socials: ⁠⁠YouTube ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ 📈 In partnership with Tim.Africa Podcast publishing and performance marketing studio. Together, we offer a full end-to-end podcast solution — from strategy to launch. Learn more: ⁠⁠tim.africa⁠⁠ --- Support Durban Small Business: If you found value in this conversation, please like, share, and subscribe — it helps us reach more people building meaningful businesses in Durban and beyond. Follow us on social media: ⁠⁠Instagram ⁠⁠and ⁠⁠Facebook

    Scaling Purpose From First Client to Community Impact
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About

Meet the humans behind our local businesses and find out what they do, why they do it and how they keep on going. I hope the stories will inspire you and help you feel connected to our 031 community. This podcast is hosted by Luke Holden and is produced by his own business - Kythe Creative. Kythe Creative helps Business owners and NGO's discover their story and share it with the world through video and audio content.

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