The Resonate Podcast with Michelle Expert

Michelle Expert

Your Gateway to Sales and Entrepreneurial Mastery. Join us as we delve into the minds of industry executives, thought leaders, and sales gurus to uncover the most powerful insights, strategies, and tactics for driving revenue growth and scaling businesses. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a budding sales professional, tune in to gain invaluable wisdom and actionable advice to propel your success to new heights."

  1. 17h ago

    Why you need to be unforgettable

    Description 🎙️ What if you stopped letting failure define you and started asking "what if?" instead? On this episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert sits down with Dr. Phindile Msomi Group CEO of Hazila Group, founder of Acumute Consulting, and the woman behind the newly launched Impact and Legacy Collective. They get into what real leadership actually costs, what resilience looks like in practice, and why she believes purpose has to come before profit not the other way around. Dr. Phindi doesn't hold back. She talks about becoming a mother as a teenager, losing her husband shaped the way she thinks about business. She built a hydroponic farming company from the ground up and when COVID hit and wiped out her hospitality clients overnight, she pivoted to processing dried herbs just to keep going. She also opens up about why helping women in informal settlements build something of their own has become the whole point for her. 💡 Some of what they get into: ✅ Why just having a good idea means nothing it's the unglamorous, day-to-day execution that counts ✅ Why she sees a "pity party" as something she simply can't afford to throw ✅ Choosing curiosity over fear the "what if" mindset that keeps her moving ✅ Balancing the reality of daily survival with the sacrifices long-term growth demands ✅ Why getting your business formally registered early matters it's proof for investors down the line ✅ How something as simple as asking customers what they actually want can change everything ✅ Trusting faith and gut instinct when opportunities show up out of nowhere ✨ They also talk about:     •    Her "Eco-farm port" an affordable, solar-powered hydroponic system made from recycled plastic, designed to help African women get into agritech     •    Why she's more interested in building real, problem-solving community through the Impact and Legacy Collective than doing another surface-level networking event     •    Why hearing "no" from a funder isn't a verdict on your worth it's just telling you what to fix next     •    Her habit of staying endlessly curious and asking questions wherever she goes, because that's often where the next opportunity is hiding If you're building something a business, a career, a comeback this conversation has a lot to sit with. 🎧 A genuinely honest talk about resilience, leadership, and doing things on purpose. 📌 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more powerful conversations 📲 Connect with Michelle Expert: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_expertreal📘 Facebook: Michelle Expert 🐦 Twitter/X: @Michelle_Expert 🌐 Shop the Hub: resonatehub.shop 📩 Join the Resonate Community Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/ (https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/) Here is the Milpark Education episode:https:// http://youtu.be/_Xm7h6IIrDk

    56 min

  2. Jul 6

    The One Quality That Destroys Professional Paths Faster Than Anything Else

    🎙️ What happens when you stop waiting to be chosen and start betting on yourself, even when your world collapses? In this powerful episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert sits down with Tumi, the CEO of a Film Commission, author of Thrive, and founder of the Power Play movement, to talk about the true cost and reward of transformational leadership. Tumi shares her incredible journey from living in a shack in an informal settlement after her parents' business collapsed to becoming one of South Africa’s most respected executives. This conversation dives into the heart of self-mastery, explaining how leadership is truly shaped during times of uncertainty and why your biggest setbacks are actually "learning paths" for your future.💡 In this episode, we talk about: ✅ Why you must "choose yourself" when no one else will. ✅ The "Sleep It Off" Strategy: How radical rest leads to divine business breakthroughs. ✅ Why visibility without influence is worth zero in the marketplace. ✅ Moving beyond just a "seat at the table" to creating ownership and legacy. ✅ The life-changing habit of accounting for every single minute of your day. ✅ Why failures are not evidence of losing, but God preparing you for what’s ahead. ✅ Leading from the inside out and finding your own identity beyond gender biases. ✨ We also unpack: • The trauma and lessons of parental business collapse. • How to lead a team without falling into the "hero complex" or micromanagement. • Building a multi-faceted ecosystem so you aren't defined by a temporary title. • Why getting your hands dirty can sometimes ruin your "eagle's view" as a leader.If you’re an entrepreneur, a corporate leader, or someone trying to move beyond survival to a life of impact, this episode is a masterclass for you. 🎧 Tune in for a real and honest conversation about resilience, leadership, and the power of intentionality. 📌 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more powerful conversations 📲 Connect with Michelle Expert: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_expertreal 📘 Facebook: Michelle Expert 🐦 Twitter/X: @Michelle_Expert 🌐 Shop the Hub: resonatehub.shop 📩 Join the Resonate Community Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/

    37 min

  3. Jun 29

    Why you must be offensive...

    🎙️ What happens when you stop being afraid of offending people and start making bold business moves? In this powerful episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert sits down with returning guest Buntu Masiwa (Slim), founder of Black Grind and a growing talent management agency, to talk about the real challenges of growing a business. Slim shares how he changed his coffee brand from Black Earth to Black Grind, stepped into a new business space, and landed a six-figure deal all while learning hard lessons about leadership, discipline, and faith. This conversation dives into the truth about business: sometimes you have to make hard decisions, set tough boundaries, and stop trying to please everyone. 💡 In this episode, we talk about:
✅ Why being too “nice” can hurt your business
✅ The difference between honesty and transparency
✅ The hard truth about managing money and staff
✅ Why leaders must follow the same rules they set
✅ The guilt of letting people go and trusting God through it
✅ Growing stronger for the weight of leadership
✅ How getting 1% better every day can change everything ✨ We also unpack:
• The pressure of firing friends
• Taking big opportunities even when you feel unready
• How faith and business work together
• Why God’s silence can sometimes be part of the process If you’re building a business, leading a team, or trying to grow while staying grounded in faith this episode is for you. 🎧 Tune in for a real and honest conversation about business, leadership, and growth. 📌 Don’t forget to:
👍 Like
💬 Comment your biggest takeaway
🔔 Subscribe for more powerful conversations 📲 Connect with Michelle Expert: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_expertreal 📘 Facebook: Michelle Expert 🐦 Twitter/X: @Michelle_Expert 🌐 Shop the Hub: resonatehub.shop 📩 Join the Resonate Community Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/

    28 min

  4. Jun 22

    Marketing vs. Sales: Why Your Business Will Fail Without Both of Them

    🎙️ What does it take to transform a legacy giant into a digital growth engine for thousands of SMEs?In this compelling episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert is joined by Andrew Dawson — Management Executive for SME and Diversified Business Sales at Telkom — for a masterclass on sales strategy, the "pivot" mindset, and why connectivity is the ultimate growth partner for the South African economy.Andrew has spent over 16 years helping Telkom transition from its "ticky box" legacy into a data-led powerhouse managing 180,000 km of fiber. With a background that started in graphic design and interactive agencies, Andrew brings a unique creative lens to the high-stakes world of B2B sales, proving that the best leaders aren't just technical they are supportive, inquisitive, and approachable.From the streets of Mitchell's Plain to the boardroom of a 13,000-employee organization, Andrew shares the grit required to move beyond "monolithic" business structures toward a culture of agility and innovation. This is a deep dive into building sustainable businesses and the power of human connection in a digital-first world.💡 In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The Heart of Business: Why Andrew chooses Sales over Marketing every single time for survival. ✅ Flogging a Dead Horse: How to recognize the "hero complex" and when it is time to pivot your business strategy. ✅ The "Unfair Advantage" of Connectivity: How a simple Wi-Fi router can transform a salon or guest house into a high-revenue environment. ✅ Leading with Forgiveness: Why creating a safe space for mistakes is the only way to drive true innovation. ✅ AI vs. Human Logic: Navigating the fear of technology and why "people still buy from people". ✅ The Future Maker Hub: How Telkom is mentoring 2,600 SMEs to become the "growth engine" of the country. ✅ Removing Digital Friction: Streamlining customer journeys without losing the essential human touch.✨ We also unpack: • The Ticky Box to Fiber Story: Reflecting on the evolution of prepaid calling cards to the backbone of the SA economy. • Innovation from the Front Lines: Why your best ideas often come from drivers and call center agents, not the "Ivory Tower". • The Data Guardrail Warning: Why using public LLMs (like ChatGPT) might be leaking your private business secrets. • Partnership over Silos: Why you can't be everything to everyone and the necessity of finding reputable tech partners. • A Radical Economic Truth: "If Telkom sneezes, the country catches a cold" — why connectivity powers everything from ATMs to retail "tap to pay".💬 If you are: • an aspiring entrepreneur looking for the "backbone" to support your hustle, • a leader trying to dismantle silos and build an agile, collaborative company culture, • navigating a digital transition and feeling intimidated by the rise of AI, • or ready to stop "flogging a dead horse" and start scaling with the right partners… this episode is for you.🎧 Join us for an honest conversation on sales, medical-grade innovation, and the reality of building a lasting legacy in the telecommunications space.📌 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations on entrepreneurship, business, leadership, and personal growth📲 Connect with Michelle Expert: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_expertreal 📘 Facebook: Michelle Expert 🐦 Twitter/X: @Michelle_Expert 🌐 Shop the Hub: resonatehub.shop📩 Join the Resonate Community Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/

    58 min

  5. Jun 15

    The Power of 2,500 People: How One Community Created Their Own Bank

    🎙️ What does it take to turn a R150 contribution into a 60-hectare land empire when the system says it’s impossible?In this compelling episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert is joined by Leslie Gama — General Manager of Omnotho Empowerment — for a masterclass on radical community ownership, building trust as capital, and the "do-it-yourself" model of restoring dignity.Leslie has spent over a decade building an ecosystem that bridges the gap for those who earn too much to qualify for government housing but not enough to access traditional bank loans. Starting with just 12 families and a relentless drive to solve the housing crisis in his own community, Leslie grew a movement that now encompasses over 2,500 members, multiple developments, and even a licensed community banking institution. His work is built on the core belief that poverty is a physical reality—not just a "mentality"—and that true leadership means creating the infrastructure that the government hasn't provided.From the personal heartbreak of his mother’s passing in an informal settlement to navigating "Ponzi scheme" labels from skeptical officials, Leslie shares the grit required to manage people’s money and land while keeping 15,000 people trained and a 3,000-house pipeline moving forward. This is a deep dive into building an empire from the ground up and the power of consistent, community-driven action.💡 In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The "Do It Yourself" Strategy: Why waiting for government petitions fails and how to build your own infrastructure instead. ✅ Trust vs. Capital: Why Leslie believes building trust is the hardest "growth hack" for any community venture. ✅ The Reality of Poverty: Moving beyond the "mentality" debate to solve hunger and lack of ownership with physical solutions. ✅ Building a Community Bank: How managing extra savings for building materials led to a Reserve Bank license. ✅ The Power of Consistency: How preaching the need for land every single day for years turned a church meeting into a 60-hectare movement. ✅ Managing the Waiting List: Dealing with "side deals" and objections from neighbours who fear community developments. ✅ Designing for Dignity: Why RDP uniformity is a failure and how to let people build unique homes they are proud of. ✅ The Brick-Making Plant: Vertical integration—how the community now manufactures its own materials to lower costs.✨ We also unpack: • The Funeral Catalyst: How the experience of erecting a funeral tent next to a shack in 2010 inspired a housing revolution. • The "Gap Market" Trap: Why being able to buy a car but not a house is the reality for thousands of South Africans. • Why 86% of Members are Women: The vital role of women as primary caregivers and their commitment to land ownership.• The 3 AM Head Start: Why Leslie wakes up three hours before the world to solve the community’s biggest problems. • A Radical Motto: "Government will find us moiling"—starting the work so that support finds you already in action.💬 If you are: • an aspiring entrepreneur looking to build a social enterprise with real-world impact, • a leader trying to understand how to build and maintain high-trust community systems, • navigating the "gap market" and looking for innovative ways to achieve property ownership, • or ready to stop waiting for external help and start taking action in your own neighborhood… this episode is for you.🎧 Join us for an honest conversation on courage, community innovation, and the reality of building a lasting legacy.📌 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations on entrepreneurship, business, leadership, and personal growth📲 Connect with Michelle Expert: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_expertreal 📘 Facebook: Michelle Expert 🐦 Twitter/X: @Michelle_Expert 🌐 Shop the Hub: resonatehub.shop📩 Join the Resonate Community Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/

    33 min

  6. Jun 8

    They Told Her She’d Never Make It – Now She Owns a 21-Branch Medical Empire with Dr Maureen

    🎙️ What does it take to bridge the gap between beauty and medicine before the "white space" even had a name?. In this compelling episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert is joined by Dr. Maureen — founder and medical director of Skin Renewal — for a masterclass on identifying market gaps, radical resilience, and the future of holistic aesthetic medicine. Dr. Maureen spent over 25 years building a 21-branch medical empire, starting with a medical degree and a relentless creative streak that saw her reinvent herself multiple times — from a rural farm mother to an interior design assistant, and finally to a pioneer in non-surgical aesthetics. Her brand is built on the core belief that intellectual curiosity is the ultimate competitive advantage and that true leadership means filling the gaps others overlook. From using sticky tape on her toddler to study muscle movement to navigating a "cease and desist" letter from a nosy neighbor that forced her to scale, Dr. Maureen shares the grit required to lead a national brand through a global pandemic while keeping 220 families supported. This is a deep dive into building an empire from scratch and the power of a holistic approach to wellness. 💡 In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The "White Space" strategy: How to identify and bridge the gap between two extremes in any industry. ✅ Why intellectual curiosity is the ultimate "growth hack" for entrepreneurs. ✅ The truth about Blue Light: Why your computer screen is aging your skin even when you’re indoors. ✅ Building a "Skin Renewal Family": Supporting 220 employees and their dependents through a world crisis. ✅ How to turn obstacles into nudges: Turning a neighborhood complaint into a multi-branch expansion. ✅ The logic behind multifunctional skincare and why layering ten different bottles might be failing you. ✅ Why "panel beating" (injectables) isn't enough—the importance of finding the underlying cause of skin issues. ✅ Navigating the "stops and starts" of a career without losing your passion or your talents. ✨ We also unpack: • The Sticky Tape Story: How a mother’s observation of her 3-year-old led to an anti-aging revolution. • Why location is everything and the courage it takes to cut your losses when a branch fails. • The power of a co-founder partnership: Combining medical vision with architectural systems. • The three stages of a leader's life: Moving from learning and doing to mentoring the next generation. • A radical health warning: "If you don't make time for health, you’ll make time for disease". 💬 If you are: • an aspiring entrepreneur looking for the "white space" in a crowded market, • a founder trying to build a high-trust, values-driven company culture, • navigating a career reinvention or returning to your passion after a long season away, • or ready to stop treating symptoms and start investing in your long-term wellness… this episode is for you. 🎧 Join us for an honest conversation on courage, medical innovation, and the reality of building a lasting legacy. 📌 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations on entrepreneurship, business, leadership, and personal growth 📲 Connect with Michelle Expert: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_expertreal 📘 Facebook: Michelle Expert 🐦 Twitter/X: @Michelle_Expert 🌐 Shop the Hub: resonatehub.shop 📩 Join the Resonate Community Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/

    51 min

  7. Jun 1

    Stop Hustling: Why Doing Business with God is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage

    🎙️ What does it take to sell a vision that the world hasn’t caught up to yet? In this compelling episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert is joined by Sibabalwe (Siba) Sesmani — Group CEO of Unorthodox Group, Pan-African advocate, and media strategist — for a masterclass on building influence, movements, and a lasting legacy across the continent. Siba founded her communications and sports management enterprise in 2014 with nothing but a B.Com in Economics and a bold idea. In the decade since, she has built her brand on the core belief that courage is action, not perfection, and that growth comes from starting before you feel ready. From managing Rugby World Cup champions to launching the national #WithoutUs campaign against gender-based violence, Siba shares the reality of what it means to lead with an "unorthodox" lens in a traditional world. This is a deep dive into leadership beyond titles and the power of shaping positive African narratives. 💡 In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The philosophy of "Unorthodox Leadership" and why traditional styles are often rejected. ✅ Why starting before you’re ready is the ultimate growth hack. ✅ The difference between leadership and influence. ✅ How to build credibility and trust in rooms across Lagos, Nairobi, or Accra when no one knows your name. ✅ The emotional weight and "cost" of high-stakes advocacy and leadership. ✅ Why PR often moves the needle more effectively than paid advertising. ✅ Challenging the "strong woman culture" and its potential dangers for African women. ✅ The strategy behind signing and managing world-class athletes. ✅ How to build a movement that connects 20,000+ young people across 60 countries. ✨ We also unpack: • The making of a leader: Moving from Economics to sports and advocacy. • How storytelling can be used as a tool for cultural healing and transformation. • Lessons from the #WithoutUs campaign on mobilizing a nation. • Why African youth must stop waiting for permission to take action. • The underrated leadership traits that modern founders need most. 💬 If you are: • an aspiring leader looking to build influence without a title, • a founder trying to scale across African borders, • navigating the emotional pressures of advocacy and business, • or ready to stop waiting for permission to start your vision… this episode is for you. 🎧 Join us for an honest conversation on courage, Pan-African legacy, and the reality of building an empire from scratch. 📌 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations on entrepreneurship, business, leadership, and personal growth 📲 Connect with Michelle Expert: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_expertreal 📘 Facebook: Michelle Expert 🐦 Twitter/X: @Michelle_Expert 🌐 Shop the Hub: resonatehub.shop 📩 Join the Resonate Community Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/

    50 min

  8. May 25

    The Commercial Decisions That Most Entrepreneurs Are Avoiding

    🎙️ Why do so many businesses struggle after early success? In this powerful episode of The Resonate Podcast, Michelle Expert sits down with Sipamandla Manqele — CEO and Founding Partner of Route 23, business strategist, founder coach, and non-executive board member — for an honest conversation about what it really takes to build sustainable businesses in Africa. From founder psychology and commercial decision-making to governance, leadership, scaling, and long-term sustainability, this episode unpacks the uncomfortable realities many entrepreneurs face once the excitement of starting fades and the real work of building begins. With over a decade of experience across FMCG, agribusiness, food, beverages, and social impact, Sipamandla shares hard-earned insights from both the operational side of business and the boardroom — offering founders a rare perspective on growth, structure, and leadership. This is not another “hustle culture” conversation. It’s a deeper discussion about building businesses that can actually survive. 💡 In this episode, we discuss: ✅ Why most founders struggle transitioning from traction to structured growth ✅ The difference between surviving founders and scalable founders ✅ Why governance matters more than entrepreneurs think ✅ The emotional pressure founders silently carry ✅ How ego and poor systems quietly destroy businesses ✅ Why many entrepreneurs are building fast — but not building well ✅ The psychology of selling, influence, and leadership ✅ What sustainable success actually looks like ✅ The biggest commercial mistakes founders make ✅ Industries and opportunities African entrepreneurs are overlooking ✨ We also unpack: • The reality of getting products into retail • Why influence without authority is a leadership superpower • The founder conversations most people avoid • Why structure and creativity must coexist • What businesses will survive the next 10 years 💬 If you are: • trying to scale your business, • navigating leadership pressure, • feeling stuck between growth and structure, • or questioning what sustainable entrepreneurship really means… this episode is for you. 🎧 This conversation is a masterclass in founder maturity, commercial thinking, and building businesses with longevity — especially within the African context. 📌 Don’t forget to: 👍 Like 💬 Comment your biggest takeaway 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations on entrepreneurship, business, leadership, and personal growth 📲 Connect with Michelle Expert: 📸 Instagram: @michelle_expertreal 📘 Facebook: Michelle Expert 🐦 Twitter/X: @Michelle_Expert 🌐 Shop the Hub: resonatehub.shop 📩 Join the Resonate Community Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/resonatehub.co.za/

    1h 1m
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Your Gateway to Sales and Entrepreneurial Mastery. Join us as we delve into the minds of industry executives, thought leaders, and sales gurus to uncover the most powerful insights, strategies, and tactics for driving revenue growth and scaling businesses. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a budding sales professional, tune in to gain invaluable wisdom and actionable advice to propel your success to new heights."

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