From High School Dropout to Master of LinkedIn — Meet Renier Lombard

What drives someone from hustling in the streets of Botswana to leading one of Africa’s most exciting agencies?

We sat down with Renier Lombard — co-founder of FDC and the much-hyped Lekker Network — to find out.

Renier’s journey is wild: he dropped out of high school, built his own road to success, and now leads a team of 100 people helping clients crush it on LinkedIn. He’s widely seen as a master of social selling — and not just because of his results, but because of the way he builds relationships that last.

He’s also one of the most generous people you’ll meet — always willing to share time, insight, and support. In this episode, we dig into how that generosity has shaped his career and how it might just be his superpower.

Kicking off 2025, we sit down with Ma'or Harris to unpack his journey from waiting tables to becoming a powerhouse in events, entertainment, and food.

Ma'or is the co-owner and head chef of Blondie, one of Cape Town’s hottest restaurants. But his path to success was anything but straightforward. When the Covid pandemic hit, all his work got cancelled, his wife was about to give birth, and he had just moved countries to be closer to family—uncertainty was everywhere. Yet, in the midst of it all, he made an odd decision: to open a restaurant.

We had one main question: why?

A dynamic entrepreneur, Ma'or has built his ventures —Balkonology, Boiler Room, Rocking the Daisies, Blondie, Texas, and more—on creativity and unforgettable experiences. And if you’ve been to any of them, you can feel it.

In what might be his first-ever interview, Ma'or shares his thoughts on risk, creativity, food, and the journey that got him here.

We’re extremely excited to finally release our latest episode of Big Fish Stories, featuring none other than Bruce Whitfield.

Bruce is one of South Africa’s most well-known business experts, and we don’t believe anyone in SA has had more interactions with business owners, game changers and CEOs than him.

As host of The Money Show, Bruce is often on the other side of the interview mic. So, we took this opportunity to dive into a rare topic: the business and story behind Bruce himself.

What followed was an honest and interesting conversation about his life and journey to where he is today, his view on the role he plays in our society, and what he thinks of the evolving media and audio landscape of radio and podcast.

legalese.co.za

In this brand-new episode of "Big Fish Stories", we explore the intersection of entrepreneurship and personal well-being with James White, founder of Roark Gyms and Best10!

Lend us your ears as we deep dive into the art of balancing the relentless pursuit of business success with the equally important aspects of mental and physical health.

This episode goes beyond the usual advice of just reducing work hours. Instead, we focus on strategically harmonising a healthy lifestyle with ambitious entrepreneurial goals. It's an essential listen for overworked entrepreneurs who are trying to balance their professional drive with personal and family life.

Get ready to step into 2024 with a balanced approach to entrepreneurship and personal well-being!

legalese.co.za

In this episode of Big Fish Stories, we delve into the dynamic world of South African entrepreneurship with Andile Khumalo, a towering figure in the nation's business landscape.

Join us as we go beyond the ordinary and dive deep into the intricate nuances of South Africa's business environment. This in-depth conversation explores a diverse range of topics - from the exploration of regulations to the intriguing future of politics. We probe the pressing question: Does South Africa still hold opportunities for budding entrepreneurs? Andile certainly thinks so.

Beyond merely dissecting the business climate, we also delve into the subject of talent and discuss various facets essential to entrepreneurship within the South African context. Few voices carry as much weight and authority on this subject as Andile's, making this episode an absolute must-listen.

If you're in search of a dose of grounded optimism, look no further. It's our absolute privilege to share Andile's wisdom with you. Take a listen!

legalese.co.za

In this episode of Big Fish Stories, we step into the world of startup culture and investment mastery with Louis Buys and Alexandra Matthews - the visionary founders of The Delta, a leading venture builder across Europe and Africa.

Join us as we go beyond surface-level conversations and dive deep into the fascinating world of startup development and investment. Together, we explore the intricate facets of investor strategies, drawing wisdom from Louis and Alexandra's incredible triumphs and enlightening setbacks. This episode also provides invaluable insights into the future of South African ecosystems, offering insightful predictions on emerging trends and untapped opportunities.

If you're actively involved in building a startup and seeking funding, or if you aspire to become an investor, this conversation is definitely for you!

legalese.co.za

In this episode of Big Fish Stories, Eitan got to chat to Jevron Epstein, the CEO and founder of Generation Schools, an innovative new school group in South Africa.

Eitan and Jevron explore the current state of education in South Africa and discuss the future of education worldwide. They delve into the role of technology and innovation in education, and how it's adapting to their natural learning process and transforming the way children learn.

Jevron is a remarkable entrepreneur who has created a unique and extraordinary educational model. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding how the next generation will be educated.

Leana de Beer is the CEO of the Feenix Group - a non-profit and a social enterprise focusing on education finance in South Africa.

As a response to #feesmustfall, Leana and her team founded a non-profit to address the lack of funding for education in South Africa. Over the last 6 years, Feenix has raised over R170 million for tertiary education students in South Africa. If that wasn't impact enough, they also launched WaFunda, an EduTech platform training and supporting young South Africans.

Eitan and Leana sat down to discuss Leana's journey, the state of education in South Africa and the solutions to fix it, and building a non-profit like a technology company.

legalese.co.za