David Jacobson SYNAQ, established in 2004, is a leading cloud-based email security provider serving more than 5 000 businesses in South Africa including some of the country’s leading brands. After the company was acquired by Dimension Data and NTT in 2011, its co-founder and chief executive, David Jacobson, repurchased it in 2023 at a sixth of the price he sold it for. He considers this to be his greatest business achievement. “Our company culture is dynamic and innovative, with a strong focus on email security in a niche market,” Jacobson says. “As an entrepreneurowned corporation, we adhere to global standards while maintaining local flair. We’ve developed cutting-edge security technology, featuring agile, customisable solutions and a worldclass development team.” Jacobson says his perspective on business has evolved over the past 20 years. “In the early days, I viewed business primarily as a means of generating profit. However, as the years have passed, I’ve come to see my business as much more than that. It has become a spiritual entity, a living organism that not only supports my personal growth but also nurtures the growth of everyone connected to it – employees, clients, shareholders, and the community at large. I now approach business decisions with a more holistic mindset, considering the impact it will have on the broader ecosystem in which we operate.” Jacobson says though many may see his lack of direct involvement in his business as crazy, it not only gives his team freedom to grow as individuals, it allows him to maximise his time. “I seldom tell my team what to do or how to solve problems,” he says, explaining his philosophy. “I ask them a lot of questions, which empowers them to own the solution and run with it themselves. This has served me time and time again.” That’s why, for Jacobson, when it comes to foolproofing his business, hiring the right people is crucial. “We have implemented a thorough and meticulous interview process to ensure that we bring on board the best talent,” he says. “This makes the world of difference. I look good despite my shortcomings because of my exceptional team.” He’s most inspired by Linux Torvalds, the creator of the Linux Operating System. “Linux is an open-source operating system built by thousands of developers worldwide, many of whom volunteer their time and skills for free,” he says. “What makes Linux so impressive is how it brings together people from all walks of life, across different cultures, to create something that has become the backbone of modern technology, from servers to smartphones. It’s all about collaboration, passion, and the belief in creating a free, accessible, and powerful tool that anyone can use and improve.” Jacobson has long been technology-obsessed. Speaking of what he thinks people would be surprised to know about him, he admits that he hacked into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Pentagon when he was just 15. Clearly, he’s in the right profession, with few better placed to ensure online security than those who know how to get around it. Nicholas Ingel hasn’t had it easy, having been a childabuse survivor and alcoholic. Now sober for 15 years, he’s dedicated to maximising the good in everything he does. “In recovery, I’ve chosen to build my life on service and share the hard lessons I’ve learned in working to build a life of value,” he says. In building his company, Emet Gyms, and its multiple subsidiaries, Ingel has taken a holistic approach to wellness and creating social impact. “Our greatest business achievement is our ongoing evolution from a single gym to a comprehensive wellness and media enterprise that continues to create meaningful change,” he says. “We measure our success not just by financial returns, but by the number of lives we affect positively.” Emet Gyms has a mission to transform lives by fostering physical and mental well-being. “We believe mental health is the cornerstone of overall well-being, and we use physical training as a powerful tool to enhance self-belief, mental resilience, and quality of life for our clients,” Ingel says. This work is aligned to the Emet Academy, which furthers the business’s aim of maximising the good in everything it does. “The Academy focuses on empowering individuals from challenging backgrounds, offering them the opportunity to grow and succeed as trainers, coaches, and media professionals,” Ingel says. Also operating under the Emet umbrella is Emet Media, which leverages the business’s expertise and extensive network within the wellness community. Offerings include podcasts and live streaming of national and international powerlifting events. This allows the business to showcase emerging talent, including young athletes and coaches, as well as international champions. Finally, in-house record label, Emet Beats, produces the music used in its livestreams and competitions, and is also available for public use without any copyright concerns. “Our music comes from a blend of international producers and local artists, particularly youth from challenging backgrounds in South Africa,” says Ingel, “giving them with a platform to showcase their talent on an international stage.” Ingel’s approach to building a strong management team, something he prioritises, is rooted in open and honest communication. “I believe transparency is key to developing a management team that’s not only effective in its role, but also deeply invested in the success of the business,” he says. “By sharing everything the business is going through, I ensure that each member of the team has a full understanding of where we’re headed and the challenges we may face.” Ingel’s professional and personal worlds constantly intersect. “Maintaining balance in my life has always been an ongoing journey, particularly because, as an alcoholic, I find that unoccupied time can be quite uncomfortable for me,” he says. “What’s become clear to me over the past year is the deep connection between my work and my personal life. I’m incredibly blessed to love what I do, and there’s no distinct separation between work, family, and community. In many ways, working is spending time with family.” Justin Kramer is a passionate entrepreneur, being chief executive and owner of a Popular Bunch and managing director of TendersHQ. A Popular Bunch is an experiential agency offering immersive and bespoke marketing experiences, which offers a comprehensive through-the-line brand activation and special-event solutions across multiple categories and clients. “Key to our success is our keen eye for custom solutions, combined with a constant drive for innovation and forward-thinking designs tailored to our clients’ specific requirements,” Kramer says. TendersHQ simplifies the tender process, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to receive relevant tenders in real time for a monthly subscription. Providing a comprehensive offering in South Africa, the company has begun crossing borders to provide its services to entrepreneurs across Africa. Kramer is inspired by his father – his mentor and role model – in running his businesses. “He started as a chartered accountant, but transitioned into entrepreneurship, where he opened, rescued, and sold multiple businesses,” he says. “What makes him unique is his ability to navigate the technical and strategic sides of business with remarkable wisdom. His integrity, combined with his entrepreneurial experience, has taught me valuable lessons about leadership, adaptability, and long-term vision. He hasn’t just been successful, he has done so while maintaining his values and supporting those around him.” Through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, Kramer has learned the power of resilience. “Losing my former business partner as he resigned and moved overseas on short notice was my biggest business challenge,” he says. “I landed up flipping this around and turning it into a positive. It forced me to create more structure in order to survive and in turn, take on more work.” In the process, he grew each division and business, almost doubling revenue and his client base in a year. Kramer believes in the power of education to create a better future for South Africa. “Although I’m the sole owner of the business, we have successfully achieved a black economic empowerment level 1 status due to our strong commitment to education,” he says. “We have established a trust dedicated to supporting black female education in South Africa, and we consistently have at least two staff members pursuing courses relevant to their roles at any given time. Additionally, we provide ongoing financial support for the education of the children of our longstanding staff.” Strengthening the management structure and providing growth opportunities for everyone at a Popular Bunch is a priority, Kramer says. “Initially, I brought in a seasoned general manager to guide the process, but I quickly realised that building our management team from within would lay a much stronger foundation for the future.” The company has therefore taken significant steps to invest in its people through initiatives including training courses and an overall focus on growth. “By nurturing the talent we already have, we’re not just building individual careers but creating a more cohesive and resilient company,” says Kramer. “As we continue to grow, I’m confident that this strategy will help us achieve even greater things.” Nicholas Ingel Justin Kramer DIAMONDS | GOLD JEWELLERY LUXURY WATCHES | KRUGERRANDS WE BUY WITH AN IMMEDIATE EFT OR CASH PAYOUT www.thegoldavenue.co.za 076 393 5429 thegoldavenuesa 010 109 0080 Illovo, Sandton CONTACT US TODAY The Eric Ellerine Entrepreneur Award nominees
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