Being in business you know there is no such thing as an overnight success.
Entrepreneurship is loaded with responsibilities and you always have to keep up with current business affairs and trends to stay ahead of the game.
Business podcasts can be useful sources of information to inspire, guide and enrich your understanding of what it means to build and scale a successful business.
While articles, books and online forums can be good resources of information, there are other ways to stay in the loop. One way is to listen to business podcasts that influence how you approach and succeed as an entrepreneur.
So, what is on successful South African business owners’ playlists right now? We’ve done the homework for you, and here’s what we found. Ready to press play?
Top 6 Business Podcasts Successful Entrepreneurs Listen To
#1: AI & I
Host: Dan Shipper
Focus: Technology and business
Summary: Focusing on the intersection and impact of AI in business, AI & I explores how successful names in everything from film and finance to healthcare and entertainment use AI in their personal and work lives. It also takes a closer look at the ethical and social implications of AI.
Why SA entrepreneurs love it: Joshua Alexandre, founder and CEO of InfoDocs and a winner of the Top South African Small Business Awards in 2024, says, “AI is moving rapidly. Speculation changes every week. Keep listening, learning and building.”
Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube
#2: The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett
Host: Steven Bartlett, entrepreneur, podcaster and author
Focus: Personal development, entrepreneurship and success
Summary: Bartlett explores the personal and professional journeys of successful entrepreneurs, thought leaders and other influential people. Episodes cover everything from behavioural psychology and marketing to building a brand. The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett podcast offers unfiltered, raw advice about real-life challenges, failures and triumphs, providing valuable lessons and inspiration for aspiring and established entrepreneurs.
Why SA entrepreneurs love it: Braeone Elizabeth-Ann Ellis, owner of Export Express, a procurement, distribution and logistics company, is a keen listener of the podcast. “It’s knowledge delivered in bite-sized pieces,” she says. It provides a unique insight into the minds of some of the world’s most successful entrepreneurs.
Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube
#3: The Money Show with Stephen Grootes
Host: Stephen Grootes, senior political correspondent for Eyewitness News
Focus: Economic trends and personal finance
Summary: Want the latest scoop on economic trends in the South African context, business developments, investment opportunities and personal finance strategies? The Money Show with Stephen Grootes podcast is the one for you. Each episode brings you engaging conversations with recognised names in business and politics.
Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and omny.fm
#4: BizCrush (Klipkouers)
Host: Jaques Basson
Focus: Business and entrepreneurship
Summary: Available in English and Afrikaans, BizCrush is worth a listen for weekly interviews with successful entrepreneurs. The twist? Each week, host Basson asks each guest the same 10 questions about their entrepreneurship journey. In the podcast some of South Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs share their greatest business secrets. It also offers practical guidance to ignite business and personal growth.
Why SA entrepreneurs love it: Pieta Meyer, co-founder of metaal.co.za highly recommends this podcast. He says, “It’s fascinating that even though the questions remain the same, every story is unique, insightful and inspirational in their own way.” He adds, “A prevailing theme in this podcast is the importance of perseverance.”
Available on: Spotify and Apple Podcasts
#5: Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman
Host: Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn
Focus: Business growth and strategy
Summary: Hosted by co-founder of LinkedIn and renowned venture capitalist, Reid Hoffman, Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman brings listeners up close with some of the world’s most iconic business leaders. We’re talking about the likes of CEOs and founders Uber, AirBnb, Reddit, Adobe, Grammarly and more. In each episode, they share lessons and strategies that have helped them grow the world’s most successful brands and companies.
Why SA entrepreneurs love it: This podcast is also one of Meyer’s top picks. He recommends it for its global perspective on business and a peek behind the curtain of some large companies and the people who created them. “Listening to these points of view have broadened my horizon,” he shares.
Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube
#6: TED Business
Host: Modupe Akinola
Focus: Entrepreneurship, leadership and innovation
Summary: Whether you want to learn how to set smart goals, or unlock the next big innovation, TED Business covers this and more. Every Monday host Modupe Akinola or Columbia Business School shares powerful and surprising ideas. After the talk Akinola facilitates a short lesson on how to practically apply the ideas in real life.
Why SA entrepreneurs love it: Ellis says: “I love that the episodes break down complex business concepts into easily digestible pieces, which is perfect for business owners like me. This is one of the business podcasts I listen to that adds a lot of value by sparking new ways to think about innovation, leadership and challenges in business.”
Available on: Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube
Inspired to Fuel Your Business Growth?
While these podcasts can inspire you to spot the next opportunity and bring it to life, having the right capital in place to make that happen can often be a challenge.
Although there are different sources of funding available for small businesses who want to grow, an alternative solution is funding with Lula.
At Lula, you can access up to R5 million in business funding within as little as 24 hours. Our innovative assessment technology fast-tracks the funding application process, giving you quicker access to capital when you need it.
Don’t let cash flow slow down your business’s growth. Apply for business funding online in minutes to see if you qualify for the funding you need to expand.
