Your Business is the Mission.

I'm the Expert Sidekick to Help You Succeed.

I demystify FinTech, Data, and Agile Management, turning complexity into your competitive advantage.

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Every Hero Needs a Sidekick

You're the expert in your field, the hero of your business story. My role is to be your trusted partner, providing the specialized technical skills and strategic insights you need to navigate the modern business landscape with confidence.

Meet Your Sidekicks

The FinTech Sidekick

Navigate the world of financial technology. From open banking to data analysis, I'll help you leverage the right tools to boost your bottom line.

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The Agile Sidekick

Streamline your projects and boost team efficiency. I'll introduce you to agile principles that deliver results faster and more effectively.

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Insights from the Field

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The FinTech Sidekick

5 FinTech Trends SMBs in SA Can't Ignore

From mobile payments to AI-driven insights, here's what you need to know to stay competitive.

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The Agile Sidekick

Is Your Team Busy or Productive? An Agile Intro

Learn the core difference and how to shift your team's focus to what truly matters for growth.

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The FinTech Sidekick

Your Data is a Goldmine. Here's How to Dig.

Simple steps to start using your existing customer data to make smarter business decisions.

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Ready to Empower Your Business?

Let's talk about your goals and how my expertise can help you achieve them. No jargon, just clear, actionable strategy.

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Ryan Smith, founder of Sidekicks

The Story Behind the Sidekick

Hi, I'm Ryan Smith. With a background spanning finance, technology, and project management, I've spent my career at the intersection of business and innovation. I've seen firsthand how powerful the right technology and strategy can be—and how overwhelming it can feel for business owners who are already juggling a dozen other responsibilities.

I founded Sidekicks on a simple belief: expert guidance shouldn't be reserved for large corporations. My passion is to translate complex, technical concepts into practical tools for Small to Medium-sized Businesses in South Africa. I'm not just a consultant; I'm a teacher, a partner, and your dedicated sidekick, here to help you become the hero of your success story.

The Sidekicks Hub

Actionable insights to help you master your business challenges. This is your library of resources, broken down by expertise.

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The FinTech Sidekick

5 FinTech Trends SMBs in SA Can't Ignore

By Ryan Smith

•

July 22, 2025

The financial landscape is changing at an unprecedented pace, and South African SMBs are right in the middle of it. Staying ahead doesn't mean you need to become a tech wizard overnight. It means understanding the key trends and knowing how they can serve your business. Here are five you absolutely need to have on your radar.

1. Open Banking is Here

Placeholder text: This section would explain open banking in simple terms, focusing on how it allows businesses to securely share financial data to get better loan terms, streamline accounting, and access new financial products. It's about putting you in control of your financial data.

2. The Rise of Embedded Finance

Placeholder text: This part would discuss how non-financial companies are starting to offer financial services (e.g., 'buy now, pay later' at checkout). We'd explore how SMBs can leverage this trend to increase sales and improve customer experience.

...

Ryan Smith

About Ryan Smith

Ryan is a FinTech and Agile consultant dedicated to empowering SMBs.

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The Agile Sidekick

Is Your Team Busy or Productive? An Agile Intro

By Ryan Smith

•

July 15, 2025

We all know the feeling of a "busy" day. Emails flying, meetings back-to-back, endless to-do lists. But at the end of the day, did the needle actually move? This is the core question that Agile methodologies force us to ask. It's a shift from celebrating activity to celebrating achievement.

Understanding Value-Driven Work

Placeholder text: This section would define what "value" means in a business context (e.g., something a customer would pay for, something that reduces costs). It would contrast this with "non-value" work (e.g., excessive reporting, unnecessary meetings).

Introducing the Kanban Board

Placeholder text: A simple, practical introduction to using a Kanban board (To Do, In Progress, Done) to visualize work. This would be framed as the first, easiest step any SMB can take towards becoming more agile, without complex jargon.

...

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Let's Work Together

I offer tailored consulting services designed to deliver maximum impact for your business. Here are a few ways we can collaborate:

1-Hour FinTech Strategy Call

A high-impact session to tackle your most pressing FinTech challenge. We can discuss payment gateways, data strategy, or assess new tools for your business. You'll leave with a clear, actionable plan.

Data Deep-Dive Project

Let's turn your raw data into your biggest asset. I'll work with you to analyze your business data, uncover hidden trends, and build a custom dashboard to track the metrics that matter most for your growth.

Agile Integration Roadmap

A comprehensive package to introduce agile methodologies to your team. We'll go beyond theory to build a practical, step-by-step roadmap for implementing processes that boost productivity and focus.

Schedule a Discovery Call

Fill out the form below, and I'll be in touch to schedule a free 15-minute call to see if we're a good fit.