‘To survive in business, never settle on your laurels’

Media icon Ken Varejes recently shared the strategies behind his journey from adversity to success at an “In the Boardroom” breakfast, facilitated by David Zidel.

At the breakfast, attended by mentors of ORT Jet, Varejes emphasised the importance of mentorship for growth, saying that businesses can’t afford to get comfortable.

“The minute you rest on your laurels, that’s the start of failure,” he advised. To thrive, a business must constantly focus on what’s next. This requires more than just ambition; it demands expert guidance and a reliable sounding board for new ideas. That’s where mentorship comes in.

Varejes doesn’t just run businesses; he builds ecosystems. As chief executive of Nfinity, he nurtures media ventures and guides entrepreneurs to grow, thrive, and innovate. “I want to work with people who are smarter than me,” he said. “Because if they’re better than you, the business and you will be unstoppable.”

Born and raised in Durban, Varejes’ childhood was a tapestry of diverse experiences. “I started at Shirona, a Jewish school, then went to Durban Preparatory High School and eventually Durban High School,” he recalled. “I wanted to integrate, to experience life beyond my immediate world.” His father, a pharmacist and optician, was an entrepreneurial force, opening a drive-in at Shelly Beach, a caravan park; a small shopping centre; and even hotels in the Drakensberg. Yet despite the ambitious ventures, the family faced crushing setbacks.

“Everything fell apart,” Varejes said, “but it was a blessing. It taught me you don’t need inheritance or money. You can build anything for yourself. Life isn’t about money, it’s about working hard, having passion, and doing good.”

Varejes’ teenage years were filled with curiosity and mischief. “I had amazing pub lunches, great times with mates,” he said with a laugh. “I didn’t pass a single university subject. Not one. My dad wasn’t thrilled. He said, ‘No more funding,’ and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll figure this out.’” He secured a R2 000 loan from the bank, and a cheque book, a lesson in responsibility disguised as freedom. That balance of adventure and accountability would become a hallmark of his career.

Varejes’ path into business was anything but linear. He joined a friend’s cane furniture factory, where he learned a lesson that would define his approach forever: selling is one thing, getting paid is everything. From there, he moved to the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), heading radio sales in KwaZulu-Natal, earning the title of “best employee” before being promoted to head of research for the entire network. But Varejes’ boldest move was yet to come.

“I left the SABC for something risky, Star Taxi Music. Small business, big ideas, cassette tapes with music and adverts for taxi drivers. It was crazy, but it worked,” he said. The venture evolved into TaxiNet and then CommuterNet, pioneering in-taxi and train station advertising, and launching South Africa’s first LED screens in taxi ranks, transforming everyday spaces into vibrant social hubs.

Primedia’s acquisition of a 60% stake in the mid-1990s allowed Varejes to push boundaries even further. Advertising in malls, cinemas, airports, and pharmacies became his playground. “You always have to innovate. Never rest. Never settle,” he said. After Primedia bought him out in 2015, Varejes took a short sabbatical, but retirement was never on his mind. He launched Nfinity, co-founding Match, South Africa’s largest influencer marketing platform, expanding digital and mobile advertising through ventures like Reveal and Heed.

Yet Varejes’ true genius isn’t in screens or advertising campaigns, it’s people. “I know my team, I know their families. Treat people with care, and they’ll move mountains for you,” he said. His creative persistence is legendary. From sending two burgers to a prospective client, to delivering a giant business card to a hard-to-reach executive, Ken has proven that ingenuity and human connection win where logic alone fails. “People buy from people, not products. Always remember that,” he emphasised.

As the session ended, one truth became clear: Varejes’ success isn’t measured in ventures or job creation, it’s measured in the lives he transforms; the passion he ignites; and the blueprint he leaves for the next generation of media pioneers. Sitting in that boardroom, the audience didn’t just witness business wisdom, they witnessed a living testament to grit, vision, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

To hear more first-hand insights from Varejes, tune into The ORT Jet Business Show on 101.9 ChaiFM, on Thursday, 29 January 2026 at 18:00. Zidel will continue his conversation with Ken, exploring the remarkable achievements of this extraordinary marketing maverick. https://app.chaifm.com/listen-live