Experience
An experienced moderator, judge, and workshop facilitator.
Engagements
EDHE Inter-Provincial Pitch Events
Role: Adjudicator & Delegate
- Evaluated student-led and early-stage business pitches
- Provided feedback on: Business viability, branding and positioning, and market understanding.
EDHE National Studentpreneur Pitch Competition
Role: Moderator & Speaker
- Moderated national-level pitch nominations and competition sessions
- Engaged directly with student founders
- Spoke on entrepreneurship, execution, and real-world business readiness
Additional intimate & independent engagements include small-group talks, workshops, and panels. Themes covered included marketing fundamentals for startups, branding and positioning, entrepreneurship and bootstrapping, and practical business strategies for early founders. These sessions were delivered across smaller venues and curated audiences, allowing for deeper engagement and discussion.
Speaking
I have participated in selected independent speaking, judging, and moderation roles. These engagements span sports development, entrepreneurship, student innovation, business strategy, and media platforms, reaching athletes, founders, students, and business owners.
Key Speaking Engagements & Workshops:
Bayhill Premier Cup (2024 & 2025)
Role: Lead Workshop Speaker (Curated Session)
Audience: ±450 players & coaches per year
Topic Focus: Life During & After Sport – Mindset, Business Awareness, Career Planning
Delivered a structured workshop across two consecutive years focused on transitioning beyond competitive sport, mental resilience and identity, and business thinking and long-term planning for athletes.
FNB x Cape Town City – Varsity Cup Player Experience
Role: Lead Speaker (Intimate Workshop Session)
Audience: Varsity Cup players (small-group, high-impact session)
Focus areas were on personal branding for student-athletes, business fundamentals alongside sport and studies, as well as preparation for life during and after competitive sport. This session formed part of a curated player experience initiative in collaboration with corporate and professional football stakeholders.
Let’s Elevate Event Series & Suitable Focus Business Events
Role: Host, Lead Speaker & Curator
Audience Reach: ±150–350 business owners (combined)
Partners & Stakeholders Included SARS, Western Cape Government, Workshop17, Zoho Africa, and Kenyan companies and ecosystem partners. Key Themes Covered included Entrepreneurship and early-stage business growth, Marketing and brand foundations, Bootstrapping and focus for founders, Partnerships, ecosystems, and sustainable scaling. These sessions positioned me as both a thought leader and facilitator, driving conversation between founders, corporates, and public-sector stakeholders.
Media relations
I have featured on multiple radio stations, podcasts, and broadcast platforms across South Africa as a guest speaker and interviewee, discussing entrepreneurship, branding, business realities, and founder mindset.
Platforms Include:
- YOUFM
- Durban Small Business Podcast
- Couch Creatives Podcast
- Additional regional and niche platforms
Broadcast & Streaming Exposure:
- National television exposure via SuperSport and DStv through event coverage, interviews, and related media content
- Digital streaming exposure through YouTube and online broadcast platforms linked to events, talks, and interviews
Topics Covered:
- Building businesses in South Africa
- Marketing strategy for SMEs
- Founder mindset and leadership
- Lessons from building Suitable Focus
At the core of Dylan’s personal brand is intentionality, discipline, service, and the belief that value is built from within—within identity, within systems, and within consistent execution.