essential if you want to succeed.
while studying towards his degree. He worked in the fragrance department and learned how to sell – a skill which he still uses to this day. He also worked for a promotions company and often stood in the multimedia section of Makro promoting storage devices and rewritable CDs/DVDs. “What I learned from all this, is that there is no wasted experience – the role is what you make of it and you can always take away some learnings from anything you do. The experiences I’ve had have shaped me into the person I am today – I would not change anything as the trials and tribulations I’ve faced were set in front of me for a reason,” he says. Kush has also volunteered as a mentor on the SAICA Thuthuka Programme. The programme’s primary focus is the development of talented individuals from previously disadvantaged backgrounds into successful
CA(SA)s. “It is incredibly rewarding to be part of the growth and development of these remarkable
“It must be something which pulls you along and not a push from outside (parents/friends). The path is not easy, but the outcome is worth every sacrifice you make. Don’t be afraid to work hard as this is often what will set you apart from your peers and give you opportunities to accelerate your career growth. Putting my hand up to do the hard work landed me the best opportunities which positioned me for the next step in my career. Networking is a skill you must learn and must practise on a daily basis – it is to the world of business what oil is to an engine. Lastly, be humble – you will never know everything and must remain teachable to grow both as a professional and as a person, irrespective of your title or accomplishments.” Not many people know that Kush worked as a store assistant in Edgars, Stuttafords and Truworths
young leaders and to watch them grow into successful businesspeople.”
A man of many talents, Kush is also a keen photographer, an activity that presents a welcome creative outlet from his daily role as an accountant. A DSLR camera was one of his first purchases when he qualified as a CA. Following this passion, he attended a few courses and grew his skills to the point where he was being approached to shoot weddings, events and other projects. He is also a competitive clay target shooter, often medalling in the competitions held across the country. Kush Padia holds both a BCom (Accounting) and BCom Honours (Chartered Accounting) degree from UJ.
Jarred Noché Banks want collateral, a long business history, huge cash flow plans, flowchar ts, the kitchen sink– and this did not sit well with us. – Jarred Noché
Jarred’s best friend, Idan Jaan, visited him in Manhattan and told him about a business idea he was working on. At that point it was a peer-to-peer lending model. “Within that week I quit my job in the States. I’d sit in a Starbucks and research lending. At that time, we didn’t know anything about lending. We couldn’t tell you the first thing about credit, so we had to figure it out from scratch.” Two months later he returned to South Africa and started working with Idan on Fundrr. They founded the company in 2018, just before the Covid pandemic struck. Both poured their life savings into the
Fundrr co-founder and Chief Financial Officer Jarred Noché CA(SA) wears his 35-under-35 competition finalist batch with pride and views it as a great personal achievement. Jarred completed his degree at UJ and subsequently his articles at Grant Thornton in Johannesburg. He then moved to New York City where he worked in the financial services sector for two years but didn’t enjoy the work. An entrepreneur by nature, he always knew he wasn’t cut out for a nine to five job and that he would start his own business.
Fundrr co-founder and Chief Financial Officer Jarred Noché
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