#237: Meet The Man Solving The Unemployment Crisis In Africa By Creating Profitable Entrepreneurs In 5 Weeks… w/ Willem Gous

During Apartheid in South Africa, townships were created to segregate non-white populations from white-designated areas.

Today, they still exist, and are very impoverished areas where life is difficult.

On top of that…

South Africa has the highest unemployment rate in the world.

Today’s guest, Willem Gous, is doing something AMAZING in these areas.

Take Lovedonia for example.

Lovedonia was an unemployed mother of two that lived off of handouts from her family.

She had broken English, but enrolled in Willem’s class.

Four weeks later, she’s making 4,000 Rand per week after starting a hair salon.

According to my quick google search, the median income in a South African township is closer to 2,000 Rand per MONTH.

This completely changed Lovedonia’s life. 

But it doesn’t stop with Lovedonia…

Willem is on a mission to solve the South African unemployment crisis by empowering them to create their own businesses.

Add on top of that the fact that Willem is absolutely a Beyond Curious human, having done things like:

• Created his first business to get a girlfriend (it worked)
• Celebrated his 33rd birthday by putting together a musical (despite the fact that he wasn’t a good singer) by writing songs and getting voice training coaching. 
• Became a firewalking instructor

… just to name a few ;)

Can’t wait for you to listen!

Show Notes Generated With The Help of AI!

00:00 - Introduction to Beyond Curious and today's guest, Willem Gous

Brandon Fong kicks off the episode with enthusiasm, welcoming new and returning listeners to another inspiring conversation. He introduces today’s guest, Willem Gous, a South African entrepreneur making waves by empowering people in townships to become business owners. Brandon shares the story of how they met serendipitously on Focusmate and teases three major takeaways from the conversation: Willem’s humorous path to fame, his transformative work in South Africa’s townships, and how his approach to entrepreneurship can apply universally.

00:03:07 - The Focusmate story: serendipity leads to podcast magic

Brandon recounts how a random coworking session on Focusmate led to meeting Willem. Their instant connection and shared energy sparked deeper conversations and ultimately this podcast episode.

00:04:36 - Exploring South African townships and Willem’s mission

Brandon defines South African townships for listeners unfamiliar with them, sharing how Willem’s work enables individuals in high-unemployment areas to create businesses—often within a single day of attending his workshops.

00:06:46 - Business as a tool for self-discovery: lessons from Willem’s father

Willem reflects on his entrepreneurial upbringing and how his father, an inventor and academic, inspired him to use business not just for profit, but as a vehicle for personal growth and exploration.

00:08:33 - The unconventional business that helped Willem find love

Willem humorously recalls starting his first business as a way to become famous and attract a girlfriend—an approach that unexpectedly landed him in newspapers, radio, and TV.

00:12:25 - From photo comics to mobile content: Willem’s early ventures

Willem dives into the details of how he revived a dead photo comic genre, negotiated full-color newspaper placements, and distributed mobile content to 25,000 users per week.

00:14:32 - Creativity is about perspective, not quantity of ideas

The conversation shifts to creativity and mindset. Willem emphasizes how changing one’s perspective—not coming up with more...