Lessons From Building in a Fast-Growing Market By Sebastian Brokmann

Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to be deeply involved in the growth of padel in South Africa. When the sport launched locally in November 2020, it was still largely unknown. What followed was one of the fastest growth stories I’ve seen in sport and lifestyle infrastructure, with hundreds of clubs and more than a thousand courts developed nationwide in just a few years.

Being part of that journey has been both exciting and educational. Padel’s accessibility, social nature, and broad appeal made it a powerful platform for community building. It brought together people from different ages, backgrounds, and sporting experiences, and it was rewarding to help shape environments where those communities could grow.

What building in a fast-growing market teaches you very quickly is the importance of timing, discipline, and long-term thinking. Rapid expansion creates opportunity, but it also tests decision-making. I’ve learned first-hand how critical fundamentals such as location strategy, cost control, pricing discipline, and operational execution become as a market matures.

These experiences have strengthened my approach as an entrepreneur and commercial executive. For me, Sebastian Brokmann, they’ve reinforced the value of building businesses that are capital-efficient, adaptable, and grounded in realistic assumptions. Over time, I’ve become more focused on sustainable growth, strong partnerships, and models that can perform not just in boom periods, but over the long term.

Most importantly, working in a dynamic environment like this has sharpened my ability to lead through change. Markets evolve, consumer behaviour shifts, and industries move through cycles. Navigating that successfully requires resilience, clear communication, and the willingness to step back, reassess, and adjust strategy when needed.

Every chapter in business adds perspective. The lessons I’ve gained from scaling projects, managing teams, and operating in competitive markets continue to shape how I approach new opportunities today. As Sebastian Brokmann, I remain motivated by building platforms that create value, connect people, and stand the test of time.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to apply these learnings to new ventures and markets, with a clear focus on long-term value creation, professionalism, and thoughtful growth.

Media Contact Information

Full name: Sebastian Brokmann

Title / Role: Entrepreneur & Property Investment Advisor

Phone number: +27 72 868 5627

Email address: sebastian.brokmann@gmail.com

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Area of expertise: Property investment advisory, business development, partnerships, market entry strategy