THE CHALLENGES OF RUNNING A BUSINESS IN THE TOWNSHIP WHILST HAVING A DISABILITY | #ICWRS

Major welcome to our new sponsors — Mzuri Coffee! The platform is growing and people are noticing. ☕✨Follow them here: https://www.instagram.com/mzuricoffee/?hl=enLesego Gumede is losing his hearing but he’s building one of South Africa’s fastest-growing sneaker businesses, empowering his community and raising a family along the way.Lesego is the founder of Sneaker Cleanic, a township-based business that started with just R2 500 and is now creating jobs, empowering his community, and redefining sneaker culture in South Africa.But his story is deeper than sneakers. Lesego is navigating a hearing disability that worsens with time, the realities of running a company in the township, fatherhood, and a tough upbringing that fuels his resilience today.In this conversation we explore:- Living with disability while building a business- The challenges of township entrepreneurship- Empowering communities through job creation- Balancing fatherhood and business- Why resilience is the ultimate currencyFollow Sneaker Cleanic - https://www.instagram.com/sneaker_cleanic/?hl=enWebsite: https://sneakercleanic.co.za/?srsltid=AfmBOoqE8t2BarDZ6tV-6iTNoeN1ry7c7g7aQiAqYTKMPgSOiFNppu_5Follow Lesego Gumede - https://www.instagram.com/lesegoagumede/Follow Rudy Samuel: https://www.instagram.com/rudysamuel_/?hl=en#ICWRS #TheFutureIsAfrican #SneakerCleanic #TownshipEntrepreneur #Resilience #Fatherhood #DisabilityAwareness #communityempowerment Chapters:00:00 – Podcast Intro with Rudy Samuel01:53 – Who is Lesego Gumede? Founder of Sneaker Cleanic02:34 – Living with Disability: Lesego Shares His Hearing Loss Journey03:45 – Sponsor Appreciation: Mzuri Coffee Joins #ICWRS04:32 – How Sneaker Cleanic Started and Grew to 14 Employees06:04 – When a Side Hustle Becomes a Township Business07:24 – How Many Sneaker Cleanic Stores Exist Today?08:30 – A Day in the Life of a Township Entrepreneur10:33 – What It Means to Own a Township-Based Business in South Africa12:26 – Challenges of Running a Business in the Township13:41 – Lesego’s Driving Force as an Entrepreneur14:41 – Training and Empowering Township Youth Through Business15:47 – Motivating Staff and Shaping Mindsets for Growth17:30 – How Sneaker Cleanic Gets Funding and Support18:58 – Building Systems to Scale a Township Business21:00 – Keeping Township Stores Safe and Secure22:45 – Positive Stories About South African Townships24:24 – Creating New Products to Diversify Beyond Sneaker Cleaning26:34 – Sacrifices Behind Building Sneaker Cleanic27:50 – Fatherhood and Balancing Life as a CEO30:35 – Lesego’s Vision for the Future of Sneaker Cleanic31:35 – Key Financial Principles for Young Entrepreneurs32:39 – Step-by-Step Playbook for Starting a Business34:30 – Outro and Closing Reflections