They Pivoted Their Startup… and 10X’d Growth - Adrian Hope-Bailie, Fynbos

In this episode of Born to Build, Adrian Hope-Bailie shares his journey from early web development and global fintech roles to building Fynbos, a platform helping South Africans take control of their savings and investments. He unpacks the pivot from a global digital wallet to a locally focused investment platform, and the realisation that most people don’t need complexity, they need clarity and confidence.We dive into the psychology of money, why so many people struggle to take action even when they know what to do, and how Fynbos is simplifying personal finance through guidance, automation, and trust. It’s a practical and honest conversation about building in a complex industry, staying long-term focused, and creating products that genuinely help people.Chapters:(00:00) Welcome & Adrian’s Background(01:30) Early Entrepreneurship & Building sarugby.com(06:00) Entering the World of Payments & Fintech(10:00) From Digital Wallet to Fynbos Money(15:05) The Pivot to Savings & Investment Accounts(18:30) Exploring Ideas That Didn’t Work(21:45) The Real Problem: Confidence with Money(24:30) From Guidance to Execution(26:30) Building for the South African Market(31:30) The Future of Personal Finance & AI(36:10) Building Trust in Fintech(39:30) Growth Through Referrals & Customer Delight(42:30) Lessons from Building a Company(46:00) Work, Life & Founder Balance(47:10) Rapid Fire QuestionsCheck them out:https://fynbos.moneyAbout 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, equipping you with the tools to build and grow YOUR business.