The Truth About Start Up Growth No One Tells You About-Tinashe Ruzane, FlexClub

What does it take to build a business that thrives in Africa, not just survives?

In this episode of The Founder Files, we sit down with Tinashe Ruzane, CEO and co-founder of FlexClub, to unpack the harsh realities and smart strategies behind building a startup in one of the world’s most complex markets. Tinashe shares why he walked away from a high-growth but unsustainable model, how FlexClub restructured around profitability, and why local partnerships are the key to resilience and scale. This is the unfiltered version of what it means to build a long-term business in a place where exits are rare, funding is tight, and durability is everything.

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We dive into:

• Rebuilding for profitability in the African market

• Choosing substance over hype in your startup journey

• Forming strategic partnerships to scale sustainably

• Navigating risk when capital dries up

• Keeping your sanity as a founder in the trenches.

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This episode is packed with practical insight, founder wisdom, and brutal honesty about what it really takes to build a startup that lasts in Africa.