A Sure Break in Uncertain Times: The Story of Shorebreak Café - Andre Gouws

What kind of person opens a café during a global pandemic? Meet Andre Gouws - community builder, optimist, and founder of Shorebreak Café in Fish Hoek. In this energising episode of Born to Build, Andre shares how he launched his business when the world was shutting down, what it means to create a "sure break" in a seaside town, and how community beat capital in the early days of his startup.We unpack:Why André chose hospitality at the hardest possible timeThe quiet power of serving coffee, connection, and consistencyHard-won lessons from the grind of building a café from scratchWhat resilience really looks like when you're running on fumesA look behind the scenes: the real work that goes into your favorite flat whiteAndre’s story is a masterclass in calm determination, customer-first thinking, and showing up when it matters most. Chapters:(00:00) Intro(01:10) Andre before Shorebreak Cafe(02:25) What inspired you to start a business during the COVID-19 pandemic(10:00) Expanding from small beginnings(13:30) Balancing a full-time job and a side hustle(15:27) Community response - the genesis of building a hospitality business(19:35) Key lessons learned about people and customer service(22:47) What does a typical day look like behind the scenes?(32:24) How has this journey changed you as a person?(38:00) What’s next for Shorebreak?(40:30) What advice would you give builders?About Born to Build:Born to Build is a podcast featuring conversations with the builders, founders, and pioneers driving change from the ground up. Each episode highlights the real stories of SME owners - how they started, what they’ve overcome, and what keeps them building their business. It’s honest, practical business insight from those shaping their industries one bold move at a time.