Motivational Conference Speaker
Innovation & Business Improvement
Sharing Lessons Learned by Working With Micro-Entrepreneurs in Africa.
Helping Big Businesses Innovate Faster and Get More Business Results

Keynotes to choose from
We use keynotes to raise funds for our impact work in Africa
For every keynote that you book at full price, we will create 1 job in Africa and share the journey and photos with you and your audience

Find Your Rhythm of Success
How to achieve results faster than ever and anyone can do it
Success is a result of doing the right things every day. But how do you know what the right things are? This keynote will help you find the right things you must do for success and then teach you how to create consistency through a daily rhythm while helping you overcome the fears and limiting beliefs that hold you back from implementing these practical steps.
Are you running a business or entrepreneurship event where you want to inspire people to take action and drive results? Then this keynote is for you.
Audience:
- Sales
- Employees driving internal or external results
- General employees
- Managers who need to drive results
- Business owners and entrepreneurs
Key learning points:
- How to find your rhythm of success
- How to find the right customers/opportunities (those with money)
- Dealing with failure and rejection

How Big Business can Innovate Faster by Learning from Micro-Entrepreneurs in Africa
How do you get an employed person living in some of the most challenging places in South Africa to build a business in 5 weeks without external funding and to make enough money to sustain themselves financially?
In November 2020, during the lockdown in South Africa, we took 57 young people, and they had to build a business in 21 days that made enough money to sustain themselves financially. We created 30 businesses in 21 days, and 73% were woman-owned. To achieve this, these young people had to be innovative and adaptive in one of the worst times, yet they succeeded.
These young people achieved that, during a lockdown, in a country with the world’s highest unemployment rate. What will your staff or conference attendees be able to achieve in their businesses or work with similar thinking?
During this keynote, Willem shares the shifts that need to happen within the human being to innovate faster and how corporations and other businesses can use the same thinking to accelerate innovation and unlock new market opportunities and revenues.
Audience:
- Sales
- Employees driving internal or external results
- General employees
- Managers who need to drive results
- Business owners and entrepreneurs

Custom Keynote or Panel Discussion
Do you need a custom made keynote, just for your audience or maybe you want a speaker to be part of a panel discussion? Then talk to us and we will find the right solution for you.
Do Good While Getting Value
For every keynote booked, we will use a part of the proceeds to create 1 job in Africa. We will create 1 entrepreneur with a profitable business that can sustain themselves. Help support a family in Africa today.
Great News – We Are Finalists
2022 Africa Startup Ecosystem Builders Awards
The awards recognise excellence in Africa’s startup and entrepreneurship ecosystem and celebrate unsung heroes in ecosystem building who are individuals, communities, institutions, and organisations that have demonstrated innovation, excellence, outstanding achievement, and impact in advancing African entrepreneurship.
👉 Finalist Incubator of the Year – The Human Entrepreneur
👉 Finalist Startup Mentor of the Year – Willem Gous – Founder of The Human Entrepreneur
Some Current and Past Conference Speaker Clients
Do Good While Getting Value
For every keynote booked, we will use a part of the proceeds to create 1 job in Africa. We will create 1 entrepreneur with a profitable business that can sustain themselves. Help support a family in Africa today.
Client Testimonials
“Thank you for speaking at the 10th Annual Joburg Secretaries Day Conference on 6 – 7 September 2017.
I was really impressed that you met with a few of the delegates before the conference and that you sat in for the entire 2-day conference so that you could customise your presentation and make it as relevant as possible to our audience. You went the extra mile for us and helped add value to our clients, which I really appreciate.
We were hoping that as the final speaker, your presentation would end the conference with a bang, which it absolutely did. You brought so much energy to the last session, the music was great, and your message was powerful. From the delegate feedback we received, you were rated one of the top speakers over the 2 days. I would not hesitate to recommend you as a conference speaker and would definitely consider using you as a speaker again at our own events. Thank you for your positive attitude and professionalism, which made working with you a pleasure.”
“Willem Gous is pure genius and delivered his best yet, key address at our annual ‘Business of Business’ conference. He never disappoints, and although the topic "Finding Your Rhythm of Success - How to achieve results faster than ever and anyone can do it" had some of our delegates expecting one of those traditional business coach-type presentations, Willem simply blew everyone away! He brought an energy into the conference that had everyone asking for more!
His expertise was instrumental in evoking thought-provoking business analytical points and yet using everyday examples, which brought many smiles and chuckles from the audience as they connected with his humour.
This was the 3rd time in a row we used him as a speaker; without hesitation, it will not be the last. I cannot applaud or recommend him enough as a public speaker and subject matter expert on business and entrepreneurial thinking.”
"Great energy, audience participation, and, most of all, outstanding value to the audience. Financial Advisers must work hard in a tough market to make it, and I got Willem to deliver a keynote that I hoped would help my Advisers get ideas and motivate them to grow their businesses more quickly. Willem delivered. The feedback I got from my people was spectacular. That goes for the new Advisers and those who have been in this game for more than 20 years. His advice is practical, and my people could go and implement it in their businesses right away; that is where the real impact lies down the line.
Willem is a direct and passionate speaker who quickly connects with the audience while helping them see new perspectives and realise their potential.
If you are an event organiser looking for someone to shift people while adding unique energy to your event, then Willem is the guy to call."
“An excellent speaker, flawless in his delivery with a lot of take home value. If you need a crucial message delivered with clarity and passion, a speaker who can both motivate, inspire and leave your audience thinking long after the event is over, Willem is the person you should consider.”
“Willem’s fast paced webinar on starting a business making use of what one has now was both insightful and inspiring. If you are given the opportunity, I would recommend taking the time to participate in the webinar, whether you are starting out in business, looking to take a different direction in life or wish to expand or improve your existing trade. Willem’s concepts are skilfully explained and therefore I found them easy to grasp and apply to my own situation immediately. Taking a step back and reflecting on ourselves, our assets and our potential is of great benefit both in business and in life. Willem can make you do all that in an hour!”
"Willem is passionate about the topics that he speaks on; his perspective certainly helps his audience to change their perceptions of what they know and allows them to see it in a new light. Willem’s energy and ability to connect with his audience are second to none.
His ability to dish out practical advice and strategies that can be implemented immediately is something to behold. I HIGHLY recommend Willem for any event that you have, as his energy and enthusiasm will elevate your teams to another level."
Meet Your Speaker | Willem Gous
Willem is a leader in Entrepreneurship Development in some of the toughest conditions. He has been a professional motivational conference speaker for almost 10 years.
Over his 22-year entrepreneurship journey, he developed his unique human-centred perspective and approach to leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship. Consistently pushing boundaries and learning through failures and successes, he solidified his thinking around the entrepreneurial way and the successful application in a wide range of real-world situations.
He is a dedicated single father to an amazing 12-year-old son, and they live in Johannesburg, South Africa. An avid reader and personal development enthusiast. For fun and giggles, he is a firewalking instructor.
Willem holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems Management from the University of Liverpool, U.K., and his dissertation focused on applying various innovation methodologies within existing businesses. A regular conference speaker and facilitator, he also serves on the advisory board of the professional interest network of the University of Liverpool Management School.
He is one of only a small number of people in the world who can moderate the highly sought-after Inside Risk, high-stakes leadership in action programme – www.InsideRisk.com
He has facilitated many breakthrough motivational events with large crowds of people.
Based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Languages: Afrikaans and English.
Willing to travel.

Do Good While Getting Value
For every keynote booked, we will use a part of the proceeds to create 1 job in Africa. We will create 1 entrepreneur with a profitable business that can sustain themselves. Help support a family in Africa today.
Gallery


Talk To Me Today
If you are looking for a practical, energetic motivational conference speaker then make contact today and let’s work together to make your event stand out and be talked about for years to come.