Latest news with #LaMotte
Int'l Business Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Int'l Business Times
Imagineer Your Future: How Les LaMotte's Story Became a Roadmap for Modern Dreamers
It began with $14 in the pocket. Not a down payment on a future, not a stake from an investor, just stamps, a photograph, envelopes, and taking action with a belief that imagination could be engineered into reality. From that modest beginning, Les LaMotte would go on to build an international display company, create innovative products used by Fortune 500s, and tour the world. His life is a case study of the American dream, not the curated social media version, but the real one: scrappy, spiritual, hard-earned, and often painful. That journey is now captured in his compelling book, Imagineer Your Future: Discover Your Core Passions , a hybrid memoir, mentor guide, and spiritual roadmap. Already used in his global keynote speaking engagements, LaMotte's book is being adapted into a more accessible three-part mini-series, aiming to serve not just entrepreneurs but anyone seeking clarity and courage in their life's calling. "I didn't write this book for the successful or for the broken," LaMotte explains. "I wrote it for everyone, those just beginning, stuck, or even those who might have already 'made it' and still feel lost." LaMotte's life defies the startup stereotypes. He didn't have venture capital; he had a handmade product born from childhood memories and life lessons. As an Eagle Scout-turned-graphic designer-turned-display engineer, he stitched together skills that seemed unrelated into something visionary. When a chance meeting at a trade show sparked the idea for lightweight, modular display systems, LaMotte got to work using materials he knew intimately: aluminium poles, design templates, and inherited ingenuity. What followed was a whirlwind: orders from across the globe, high-profile clients, and a thriving business. But LaMotte is careful not to romanticize the hustle. He recounts losing a major position, sitting in his basement one morning as the sunrise illuminated thoughts of ending his life. A simple radio message, "Every day is a new day," intervened, becoming the turning point that reshaped his purpose. "I may have lost my dream position," he says, "but I didn't lose my spirituality. And that's what saved me." Imagineer Your Future reads like a personal letter and a workshop rolled into one. It draws from LaMotte's life, his adoptive grandfather's influence (by showing him the art of creating a kite), his design career, and his spiritual insights and distills them into accessible principles of creativity. At its heart, the book challenges readers to stop outsourcing their destiny. It invites them to listen not to society's expectations but to the quiet callings within. From students wondering which path to take, to seasoned professionals stuck in passionless careers, to entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty, LaMotte's message is consistent: life satisfaction matters more than status and money. With interactive exercises and hard questions, he encourages readers toward uncovering their 'core passions,' a concept grounded in purpose over profit. He doesn't preach escape from the 9-to-5; he teaches intentionality within whatever path they're called to. "I ask people, have you ever sat down with yourself and asked why God has placed you here? Because it's not about money. It's the eternal meaning that counts behind what you do," LaMotte shares. While Imagineer Your Future stands on its own as a transformational read, LaMotte sees it as just the beginning. He is currently reformatting the book into three bite-sized volumes, each focused on a distinct theme: passion discovery, business building, and life alignment. This evolution reflects his desire to meet readers where they are, not overwhelm them with a singular, massive story. But his storytelling doesn't end there. He's also working on a historical novel based on what his father saw during his time and a previously published transcription of his grandfather's WWI diary . His creative pursuits, may it be through any creative outlet, are extensions of the same impulse: to understand, to heal, and to help. He's also a musician, and after the loss of his major position within business, LaMotte spent ten years taking music into prisons. His album Sonrise: A New Tomorrow came from that chapter, one of many creative outpourings that brought light into dark places, healing both the inmates and himself. Sonrise: A New Tomorrow What separates LaMotte's work from most motivational literature is his vulnerability. His book is about recapturing the essence of mistakes and how to overcome them, and choosing not to be defined by either success or failure. He writes for those chasing the American Dream, but also for those in danger of losing it, or losing themselves in it. From mentoring entrepreneurs across Africa to speaking on global stages, LaMotte now spends his time helping others discover what drives them. His book isn't a monument to his own achievements; it's a toolkit. One that helps people from all walks of life imagine, design, and live the future they were meant for. "I tell people, your future doesn't begin when you have everything figured out," LaMotte says. "It begins when you decide to stop living someone else's story and start living your own, and feeling good in your own skin."
The South African
24-06-2025
- The South African
6 places to go on a rainy Western Cape weekend (and still love it)
Rain in the Western Cape doesn't mean game over – it just means you need a better plan. This isn't the kind of place that folds when the sun disappears. The province packs enough indoor gems, moody landscapes, and warm escapes to turn a wet weekend into a win! Here's where to go when the skies won't cooperate – and you still want a weekend worth remembering… Rain? Good. That's your cue to head to Franschhoek. This town was built for bad weather. Cosy wine farms like Haute Cabrière, La Motte, and Le Lude serve up tastings in stone-walled cellars with roaring fires. If wine's not your thing, try the Franschhoek Motor Museum – vintage cars under dry roofs, with mountain views peeking through the mist. Pro move: Book a fireside table at Le Coin Français or Protégé and settle in for a long, slow lunch. Franschhoek, Western Cape. Image: wikimedia commons Rain turns Cape Town into a different city – and it's worth meeting her. Start at Zeitz MOCAA for contemporary African art in a mind-bending space. Then duck into Truth Coffee, where the coffee's strong and the steampunk vibes run deep. Got energy to burn? Clay Café in the City lets you paint your own ceramics while the weather does its thing outside. Or visit the Two Oceans Aquarium – more hypnotic than you'd think. Wrap the day with a movie at Labia Theatre, a glass of wine in hand. Cape Town's grit and creativity shine brightest when the streets glisten. For those who crave silence with their rain, head north to the Cederberg. The crowds disappear when the sun does, but the wilderness doesn't. Book into a stone cottage at Kagga Kamma or Cederberg Ridge and spend the days hiking short trails to San rock art shelters, or just staring out into stormy valleys with a glass of red in hand. You'll feel like the only person on Earth – and you'll like it that way. Cederberg Wilderness Area. Image: canva Riebeek-Kasteel is perfect for a no-rush weekend. There's wine (obviously), but also olive oil tastings, art galleries, and a bakery that'll ruin store-bought bread for you forever. Stay at The Royal Hotel for colonial-era vibes and killer gin cocktails. Or go self-catering and make your own fireside feast with local ingredients from the town square. When it rains here, nobody's in a hurry. That's the point. Montagu's hot springs are non-negotiable when the temperature drops. Book into Avalon Springs or a self-catering stay nearby, and alternate between soaking in steaming water and sipping wine under shelter. In town, The Rambling Rose serves comfort food that's anything but basic. The Montagu Museum tells the story of a town that's been around since ox wagons ruled the roads. It's peaceful, slow, and proud of it. Cloud-covered mountains in Montagu. Image: canva Only an hour from Cape Town, Elgin is the kind of place that actually looks better in the rain. The mist rolls in over the orchards, and you settle into a cabin or eco-pod like you've escaped to another world. Everson's Cider does tastings in a rustic barn, while Peregrine Farm Stall covers the baked goods side of your soul. Go for a forest walk in Cape Nature's Hottentots Holland Reserve – just don't forget your rain jacket. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
14-05-2025
- The South African
Six things to do in Franschhoek
Tucked into the heart of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek earns its nickname – 'the France of South Africa' – with good reason. Settled by French Huguenots in the late 1600s, this small valley town fuses European flair with South African soul. Think vineyard-covered hills, fine food, and quiet streets lined with galleries, cafés, and Cape Dutch architecture. Here's what to do in Franschhoek if you want to experience it right… Franschhoek is wine country at its finest. Dozens of estates produce award-winning wines – especially Cap Classique, South Africa's sparkling answer to Champagne. The best way to sample them? Hop aboard the Franschhoek Wine Tram. It loops through the valley with stops at top wineries like La Motte, Haute Cabrière, and Boschendal. No need to drive, no need to rush – just ride, taste, and repeat. This town punches far above its weight when it comes to food. Franschhoek is a culinary powerhouse, home to some of South Africa's top restaurants. For fine dining, book a table at Le Coin Français, Epice, or Protégé. For something more relaxed, grab a shaded spot at the Village Market or sip rosé with a farm-to-table lunch at Babylonstoren. Either way, the food is fresh, the wine is flowing, and the views are stunning. 3. Dive into the Huguenot history The French roots of Franschhoek aren't just a vibe – they're real! Visit the Huguenot Memorial and Museum to get the backstory on how these Protestant refugees helped shape the area. The gardens surrounding the monument are peaceful and worth a stroll. Franschhoek isn't just for wining and dining. The Mont Rochelle Nature Reserve offers hiking trails with sweeping views of the valley below. If you're feeling more active, rent a bike and pedal your way from one vineyard to the next. The landscape is generous, green, and never flat for long. On the edge of town, tucked inside the L'Ormarins estate, you'll find a gearhead's dream: the Franschhoek Motor Museum. It's packed with over 200 classic cars, from vintage Rolls Royces to iconic Ferraris. Even if you're not into cars, the collection is impressive enough to convert you. Franschhoek's creative streak runs deep. Small galleries are scattered across the village, showcasing everything from fine art to handmade ceramics. The annual Art Franschhoek festival is a great time to visit, but even on a quiet weekday, you'll find inspiration around every corner. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
