Meet George Burgess—a seasoned entrepreneur who heads Modern Day Talent, an offshore staffing agency that helps fast-growing UK companies connect with top talent from South Africa.
Having built his own business from scratch, George has a wealth of knowledge about entrepreneurship, remote work, and setting up a business.
Let us get you acquainted with his amazing story of success.
Early Days and Big Ideas
Entrepreneurship began for George at a very young age.
“My entrepreneurial journey began early, with a successful schoolyard sweets business (which led to a school-wide ban due to litter issues!). Over time, I learned that rapid growth comes with unexpected challenges,” he recalls, laughing. Although it was only the beginning, this early venture taught him the basics of running a business and planted the seeds of his future career as an entrepreneur.
As George’s career progressed, he led a variety of tech startups, each building on what he had learned from the previous one. He’s successfully built and sold four companies.
This was the period in his lifetime when he first saw the power of remote work.
“After running a few tech startups, I saw the power of remote teams firsthand while scaling a retreat marketplace called Basubu,” he says. As a result of that experience, he founded Modern Day Talent, which connects UK companies to skilled remote teams in South Africa, where the time zones are aligned and talent is plentiful.
Facing Challenges and Getting It Right
When George started Modern Day Talent, it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The process of offshoring talent from South Africa involved navigating legal and tax regulations.
“One major challenge we faced early on was figuring out the legal and tax complexities of setting up a business that offshores talent from South Africa,” he explains.
It took George a lot of time and effort to obtain legal advice to ensure the company was set up properly, not just for his own peace of mind but to assure his clients that the process was reliable.
“It was worth it. We can now confidently say we’re structured in the best possible way, avoiding risk for our clients,” he says now.
Then he adds, “I’d just like to add that building a business is as much about learning from your mistakes as celebrating your successes. Every challenge you face will teach you something that helps you grow.”
George’s experience highlights the importance of setting up your business correctly for anyone looking to get into international business. Despite taking more time upfront, he learned it could save him a lot of stress in the long run.
Achievements That Stand Out
George’s proudest moments aren’t just about profit; they’re about making an impact. One of his early accomplishments was Gojimo, an exam prep app used by almost half of UK secondary school students.
“It wasn’t a huge commercial success, but the impact was significant and it was eventually acquired by The Telegraph Media Group,” George shares. “More recently, I’m proud of how Modern Day Talent is growing and creating job opportunities in South Africa.”
Providing career opportunities in a region bursting with talent is George’s way of driving economic growth and connecting businesses in the UK with skilled workers abroad.
Looking to the Future
George’s vision for Modern Day Talent is clear: sustainable growth focusing on quality.
“We’re continuing to grow steadily, and I’m excited about the potential for further expansion,” he shares.
Then he highlights that the company is focused on building long-term relationships with clients and creating more high-quality job opportunities in South Africa. “We’re playing the long game, and the goal is sustainable, long-term growth,” George concludes.
Advice for New Entrepreneurs
When it comes to advice, George keeps it real. His advice for anyone on the fence about starting a business is to think it through carefully before making a decision.
“If you’re hesitating about starting a business, that might be a sign that entrepreneurship isn’t the right path for you—and that’s okay,” he says. He believes true entrepreneurs have a “bias for action”—a natural drive to take risks and dive in.
“If you feel the urge to jump in, then lean into that. But if you’re uncertain, it’s worth considering whether this is the right approach for you,” he adds, offering honest advice for those considering an entrepreneurial life.
Wrapping Up
George Burgess’s path from a schoolyard venture to leading Modern Day Talent is one of resilience, adaptability, and purpose.
Through Modern Day Talent, he’s helping UK businesses scale while creating meaningful jobs in South Africa. His story should be a lesson to all that purposeful entrepreneurship touches not just profits but people and communities.
For George, business is more than simply making money; he sees it as creating something of significance. His story is filled with inspiration for anyone who has a dream and the will to make it come true.
