Founders Café Fridays — 06:55 Walk & Talk  

Networking, minus the sitting.
Every Friday at 06:55, we do a founders’ walk: real conversations, fresh air, and the kind of clarity you only get when your body is moving — ideally fuelled by caffeine (there’s a coffee cart at the midway mark ☕).

This isn’t a “let’s grab coffee sometime” vibe. It’s: show up, walk, talk, leave with momentum.

What this is
A weekly walking group for founders, owners, builders, operators, investors, and “I’m building but it’s early” people. Expect a mix of regulars, new faces, locals and maybe even some internationals — and because we grow through good people bringing good people, referrals are part of the magic.

If someone in your network would love this, invite them along.

What you’ll get out of it

  • A healthier alternative to yet another meeting
  • Faster trust-building (walking side-by-side is a cheat code)
  • Space to be curious about others — and unpack real founder stuff: growth, pivots, hiring, funding, burnout, strategy
  • Solid connections with people you’ll actually want to see again

Who it’s for (and who it’s not)
✅ For founders, CEOs, MDs, owners and solopreneurs who can keep a steady walking pace and chat.
❌ Not for people looking to pitch everyone, hand out business cards, or “network aggressively.”

Quiet rule: be curious, not thirsty.

Walk details (please read)
When: Every Friday
Meet time: 06:55
Start walking: 07:00 *sharp*
Route: Alphen Greenbelt, Constantia (starting on the Alphen Hotel side)
Duration: ±60–75 minutes
Pace: Comfortable but moving (you should be able to talk without dying)

Weather plan
If it’s properly miserable (heavy rain / dangerous wind), we’ll cancel the walk via a one-way-posting-only WhatsApp group the night before or early Friday morning. (But most likely we'll gather at Bootlegger Kenilworth in lieu of the walk.)

What to bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes you don't mind getting dirty
  • A light warm layer / windbreaker / raincoat
  • A (head) torch if you have one (April–August when it’s still dark)
  • A charged phone (for the cool LinkedIn post photo you’ll definitely want)

Safety + good sense

  • You’re responsible for your own wellbeing (and your own ankles). 
  • Please stick with the group — don’t disappear down a trail alone.
  • If you’re running late, you can absolutely catch up, but to respect everyone's time we won't be able to wait for you.

Closing

We may be starting a Johannesburg Founders Cafe networking walk!

Complete the form and we’ll welcome you into the Founders Café Fridays one-way-posting-only WhatsApp group of your choice for weekly details, updates, and the occasional caffeine-related reminder.

To confirm your place please Whatsapp (+27 72 372 8620) me in the week of your walk and we will add you to the list. (If you tell someone you'll be there, you'll be more likely to show up. 😉)

Looking forward to seeing you on one of Founders Café Fridays in the future!

See you on the greenbelt — let’s build better, together. 🔆


Lisa Aspeling

*This sign up form is inspired by the WGW Friday 5:55am template.

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Email *
First Name *
Last Name *
Company *
Mobile Phone (+ Country Code) *
Your LinkedIn Profile URL *
City & Country of Origin *
Which WhatsApp Groups do you want to be added to? *
Required
If you could offer something specific to the Founders’ Café community, what would it be? (We’ll do our best to connect what people need with what you can give — intros, advice, skills, resources, etc.)   *
If you had one specific ask for the Founders’ Café community this month, what would it be? (We’ll do our best to help connect the dots and make an intro where it makes sense.)   *
When is your birthday? *
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I identify mostly as a…
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I would label myself as a... *
How did you hear about this? *

Safety & personal responsibility disclaimer
By joining this walk, I understand that I’m participating voluntarily and at my own risk.

I confirm that I’m responsible for my own health, fitness, and decisions during the walk. If I have any medical condition, injury, or concern, it’s my responsibility to take the right precautions and to opt out if needed.

I understand that outdoor walking/hiking can involve uneven terrain, weather changes, slips/trips/falls, and in rare cases, serious injury. I accept these risks and take responsibility for my participation.

I understand that if I want personal insurance, it’s up to me to arrange this. I’m also responsible for ensuring I have the right gear, and for seeking appropriate guidance if I’m unsure about safety or suitability.

I agree that the walk host(s) and organisers are not liable for injury, loss, damage, or claims involving me, other participants, or property, arising from participation in the walk.

By submitting this form, I confirm that I’ve read, understood, and agree to the above — and that I’m responsible for myself.

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Required

Privacy & permission (POPIA/GDPR)
By sharing your details here, you’re giving us permission to store and use them to contact you about the walk and to help facilitate relevant introductions or opportunities within the Founders Café community. We’ll handle your information responsibly and in line with POPIA, GDPR, and other applicable data protection laws.  

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Required

Photo & video consent
By joining the walk, you understand that we may take photos or short videos along the way. You consent to being photographed/filmed/recorded, and you give the organiser(s) permission to use your image, likeness, and/or voice for Founders’ Café promotional, educational, and marketing content across any media, worldwide, without payment.

If you’d prefer not to be photographed or filmed, no problem — just let us know in writing before the walk, and we’ll make sure you’re opted out.

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