RadEO

Entrepreneurs Organization South Africa
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Business
  • Updated Monthly

Hello and welcome to RadEO a podcast by Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs. It is hosted by Ross Drakes. In this podcast, we share the stories of EO entrepreneurs, their personal stories, some insight into their entrepreneurial journey and the lessons from how they think about their business today.

  1. #68 Morné Smit | The accidental sales guy and reluctant entrepreneur

    May 26

    #68 Morné Smit | The accidental sales guy and reluctant entrepreneur

    Morné Smit learned the hard way that the "show up and throw up" approach to pitching is dead. After an accidental start in a soul-crushing cold-calling job, he realised that actively ignoring traditional sales training was the only way to build real trust. He discovered a simple truth: selling does not work because nobody actually wants to be sold to. Every buying decision is an emotional decision first, and service is what creates the safety needed for a prospect to tell you the truth. In this episode, we challenge the myth of the unicorn salesperson. Morné and I unpack why you cannot scale charisma and why throwing artificial intelligence at a broken pipeline just creates more noise. Instead, we explore how to build a predictable revenue engine that actually makes it matter. By replacing pushy tactics with genuine curiosity, strong systems, and the "Sales Excellence Wheel," you can build an ecosystem where real human connection drives your growth. Key takeaways: The accidental sales guy: Desperation forced Morné into sales, but actively ignoring traditional training helped him master the craft and build real trust. The "show up and throw up" trap is dead: Pitching features and benefits does not win deals because nobody wants to be sold to. Service creates safety: Approaching a prospect with a genuine intent to solve their problem builds trust and uncovers the truth. Charisma does not scale: Stop hunting for mythical unicorn salespeople and start building a replicable sales ecosystem. AI only amplifies fundamentals: Technology will not fix a broken pipeline; it only scales the processes and noise you already have in place. More about Morné Smit: Morné Smit is the founder and CEO of Emerse Sales, a consultancy that helps privately owned companies grow their revenue fast, profitably, and predictably. After an accidental start in a London call centre, he spent 17 years mastering the art of sales before building his own firm. He is the creator of the "Sales Excellence Wheel" and a passionate advocate for bringing human connection and predictable systems back to the sales profession.

    42 min
  2. #67 Stephen Shortt | Why family business succession breaks people (and how to survive it)

    May 12

    #67 Stephen Shortt | Why family business succession breaks people (and how to survive it)

    We often fall into the lazy thinking that family businesses are easy to hand down. Stephen Shortt lived the messy reality. He grew up in two family businesses and nearly walked away from it all just to save his relationship with his parents. In this episode, we talk about escaping that trap and surviving succession without burning down the family home. We unpack the "five Ps of successful succession," why the ancient Celtic concept of "fosterage" beats nepotism, and how to build "inside hustles" to innovate safely. But we also explore what happens past the Give a Shit line. Building a multi-generational business is not just about keeping the lights on; it is about keeping relationships intact. Stephen and I dig into navigating imposter syndrome, jumping the innovation S-curve before you resent your own company, and making it matter for the next generation. Key Takeaways: The Five Ps: Use Purpose, Pick, Prepare, Promote, and Patience to navigate succession smoothly. Change the room: Move hard conversations out of the boardroom to neutralise power dynamics and build a partnership. Fosterage over nepotism: Send the next generation out to learn from other businesses before bringing them into yours. Inside hustles: Build new projects within the safety of your current business to test new ideas without risking the family home. Jump the S-curve: Recognise your wiring and have the courage to jump to the next innovation curve when the work becomes too focused on optimisation. More about Stephen Shortt:  Stephen Shortt is a career and talent strategist, family business facilitator, and the founding member of EO Ireland. He helps multi-generational businesses navigate succession and builds tools to help people find fulfilling, rewarding careers.

    36 min
  3. #66 Jason Rhoades | How AI gives us the space to actually be more human

    Apr 28

    #66 Jason Rhoades | How AI gives us the space to actually be more human

    We are standing at the edge of the biggest technological shift of our lifetimes, and most businesses are reacting with lazy thinking. They adopt shiny new tools without a strategy, leading to a chaotic web of shadow AI and disconnected agents.  In this episode, I sit down with Jason Rhoades, founder of Meaningful AI, to cut through the noise. We unpack why building mediocre software is a necessary step in innovation and how to transition your team through the three gears of AI adoption, from individual productivity hacks to proactive, multi-agent orchestration. But this conversation is not just about technology; it is about what technology enables. Jason and I explore how offloading the mind-numbing drudgery of keyboard work gives us the space to be more human. By eradicating the b******t in our operations, we can finally obsess over every nook and cranny of the customer experience.  If you want to know how to use AI to cross the ‘Give a shit line’ and build authentic connections that actually make it matter, you need to hear this. Key Takeaways: Focus on value: Building software instantly with AI is useless if it does not solve a real pain point; you must make it matter for the customer rather than just adding to the noise. Shift through the three gears: True AI adoption moves from solving individual productivity issues, to team-level workflows, and finally reaches proactive, multi-agent orchestration. Establish a lighthouse strategy: Without central guidance, teams will adopt disconnected tools, creating a chaotic web of shadow AI and agentic sprawl. Eradicate the BS: AI will eliminate the lazy thinking of moving data between spreadsheets, allowing you to finally obsess over every nook and cranny of the customer experience. Make space to be more human: Offloading keyboard drudgery allows you to double down on creativity, curiosity, and empathy, ensuring your ideas actually cross the ‘give a shit line.’ More about Jason Rhoades Jason Rhoades is the founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Meaningful AI, a consultancy helping companies navigate the change management and implementation of artificial intelligence. An EO Atlanta member, Jason previously founded and successfully exited the UX/UI consultancy Toolbox No. 9, where he led digital experiences for brands such as Amazon, Cartoon Network, and Mercedes-Benz.

    46 min
  4. #65 - Mike Bodkin | The unexpected ROI of checking your entrepreneurial energy

    Apr 13

    #65 - Mike Bodkin | The unexpected ROI of checking your entrepreneurial energy

    We often get trapped in the lazy thinking that offering more services equals scaling. Mike Bodkin lived this. He grew his digital marketing agency, Giant Propeller, by saying yes to everything from email to media buying until the business hit a hard plateau. In this episode, we talk about escaping the generalist trap, navigating the inevitable tension between co-founders, and finding a lucrative exit through pure serendipity and peer networks. But we also explore what happens past the Give a Shit line—that final 20% where true human connection lives. Building a business is not just about structural mechanics; it is about how you show up and make it matter. Mike and I dig into the "Ryan Reynolds effect" and why actively protecting your sleep, checking your energy, and displaying genuine excitement for your work are the sharpest tools you have for inspiring clients and attracting top talent. Key takeaways The "say yes" trap: Saying yes to every new service offering dilutes your focus and accelerates a revenue plateau. The Ryan Reynolds effect: Founder energy is infectious; true excitement for your business attracts clients and top talent. Serendipity requires proximity: Selling your business often requires being in the right networks rather than actively pitching to buyers. Roles over resemblances: Clearly defined co-founder roles prevent tension and streamline business operations. Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify More about Mike Bodkin Mike Bodkin is the co-founder and CEO of TalentScout, a niche recruiting agency placing senior marketing and creative talent from Latin America into US businesses. Before TalentScout, Mike spent 15 years in filmmaking and post-production, then co-founded and successfully exited the full-service digital marketing agency, Giant Propeller.

    41 min
  5. #64 - Ross Drakes & Rich Mulholland | The rise of Tiny Epic Businesses

    Mar 4

    #64 - Ross Drakes & Rich Mulholland | The rise of Tiny Epic Businesses

    In this special episode, Ross Drakes is joined by his part-time co-host Rich Mulholland, founder of Missing Link. They discuss the seismic shift AI is causing in service businesses and why the old adage "execution is everything" no longer holds. Rich argues that we are entering the era of "Tiny Epic Businesses," where the goal isn't headcount, but revenue per human. They explore how to turn internal costs into profit centres, the power of scratching your own itch, and why entrepreneurs should be the threat to their own business models before the future threatens them. Key Takeaways: The “Tiny Epic” model: Building highly profitable, micro-niche businesses with small footprints is the future. Ideas are the new capital: Execution has been commoditised by AI; unique ideas now hold the real value. Revenue per human (RPH): The new flex isn't the size of your team, but how much revenue you generate per person. Scratch your own itch: The best software businesses start by solving a specific problem within your own company. Be the threat: Don't defend a dying business model; create the tool that makes your old model obsolete. This episode is a reminder that in a world of commoditised execution, the most dangerous risk is having a single source of income.

    38 min
  6. #63 Marina Byezhanova | From Soviet grey to Canadian colour

    11/13/2025

    #63 Marina Byezhanova | From Soviet grey to Canadian colour

    In this episode, Ross Drakes speaks to Marina Byezhanova, co-founder of Brand of a Leader and member of EO’s Global Products Portfolio. Marina shares how she lost her first business and rebuilt from the ground up. They unpack the realities of partnership, the pull of golden handcuffs, and what it takes to start again. Marina reflects on launching EO Ukraine during a war and how courage, curiosity, and humanity keep entrepreneurs moving forward. This episode is about resilience, clarity, and the guts to go again. Key Takeaways: Pick partners who complement, not clone you Golden handcuffs and how comfort kills fire Turning your lived practice into a business Courage under pressure creates calm in chaos Keep the human edge in an AI world Recognising choice as a modern luxury Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Overcast. More About Marina Byezhanova Marina Byezhanova is the co-founder of Brand of a Leader, a personal branding agency for entrepreneurs and CEOs. Her work has been featured in Inc.com, Forbes, Fast Company, Success Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, and The Financial Post. She has spoken across North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Marina is a proud EO member and serves in EO’s Global Products Portfolio.

    46 min
  7. #62 Byron McFarland | From selling nightcrawlers to knowing your number

    10/16/2025

    #62 Byron McFarland | From selling nightcrawlers to knowing your number

    In this episode, Ross Drakes speaks to Byron McFarland, founder of The McFarland Group and 21-year EO member. Byron traces a path from selling nightcrawlers to lessons in pricing, psychology, and asking for the sale. He opens up about burnout, the coach who exposed his blind spot, and choosing work that fits his wiring. Together, they explore the human condition: what motivates us, what breaks us, and how honesty builds trust and resilience. This is a grounded playbook on wiring, readiness, and courage. Key Takeaways: - Entrepreneurial spirit is built by doing, not theory - Sell with empathy and a real understanding of your audience - Know your wiring and choose work that fits it - Honesty with your leadership team earns real buy-in - Know your number after fees, bonuses, escrow, and tax

    42 min
  8. #61 Ami Kassar | From the kitchen table to global networks

    09/16/2025

    #61 Ami Kassar | From the kitchen table to global networks

    In this episode, Ross Drakes speaks to Ami Kassar, founder and CEO of Multifunding and creator of EO’s Grit Group. Ami shares how childhood memories of immigrant families around his kitchen table shaped his philosophy of generosity and peer learning. They explore the realities of starting again after corporate collapse, the discipline of saying no, and why business owners should focus on fundamentals before chasing shiny frameworks. This conversation shows how clarity, truth, and community can unlock resilience and growth. Key Takeaways: - Peer learning provides practical solutions faster than top-down advice. - Get the basics right before adding new systems or frameworks. - Access to flexible capital helps businesses handle uncertainty. - Turning down the wrong client creates better long-term outcomes. - Community and generosity are essential for sustainable growth. Subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, or Overcast. This episode is a reminder that entrepreneurship is sustained by generosity, honesty, and learning together around the ‘big kitchen table.’ More About Ami Kassar Ami Kassar is the founder and CEO of Multifunding, a national advisory firm that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs navigate the complex world of growth financing. He is also the creator of EO’s Grit Group, a member-led community that started as a WhatsApp group and now connects about 1,500 entrepreneurs for real-time support. He has advised countless entrepreneurs on financing strategies that align with their vision and values. He is the author of “The Growth Dilemma,” which shares insights on using debt and equity to unlock growth without losing control. Ami has dedicated his career to assisting business owners in making courageous, informed financial decisions that foster sustainable success and long-term freedom.

    35 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Hello and welcome to RadEO a podcast by Entrepreneurs for Entrepreneurs. It is hosted by Ross Drakes. In this podcast, we share the stories of EO entrepreneurs, their personal stories, some insight into their entrepreneurial journey and the lessons from how they think about their business today.

Information

  • Creator
    Entrepreneurs Organization South Africa
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © RadEO
  • Show Website
    RadEO