Our Financial Journey

From a small idea in 2019 to empowering thousands across South Africa with financial knowledge and practical tools that actually work in the real world.

2019

The Beginning

Smartino started when two financial advisors realized something was seriously wrong. We kept seeing people make the same money mistakes over and over again – not because they weren't smart, but because nobody had taught them the basics in a way that made sense.

"We wanted to create something different. Something that actually helped real people with real financial challenges."

Our first office was basically a converted garage in Roodepoort. We had one computer, a whiteboard, and a lot of determination to change how South Africans think about money.

2022

Breaking Through

By 2022, we'd helped over 5,000 people get their finances on track. But more importantly, we'd learned something crucial – people don't need complicated investment strategies. They need practical tools they can actually use.

"The moment we simplified everything, magic happened. People started taking action instead of just taking notes."

This was when we launched our signature learning program. Instead of theory, we focused on what actually works when you're trying to budget with a South African salary or save for a house deposit in today's market.

2025

Where We Are Now

Today, we're proud to serve over 15,000 individuals and 200+ businesses across South Africa. But what makes us really excited is seeing our clients actually succeed – buying their first homes, starting businesses, or simply sleeping better at night because they're not stressed about money.

"Success isn't just about the numbers. It's about the confidence our clients gain to make smart financial decisions."

We've expanded our team, moved to proper offices, and developed tools that work specifically for the South African financial landscape. And we're just getting started.

Why Smartino Exists

Look, we'll be honest with you. The financial industry has a problem. It's full of people who make simple things sound complicated so they can charge you more money.

We started Smartino because we believe financial education should be accessible, practical, and actually useful. Not filled with jargon that makes you feel stupid for asking questions.

Every tool we create, every program we design, every piece of advice we give has one goal: helping you make better financial decisions without needing a finance degree to understand what we're talking about.

Sarah Mitchell

Chief Executive Officer

Sarah spent 12 years in traditional banking before realizing she wanted to actually help people instead of just selling them products. She has this amazing ability to explain complex financial concepts using everyday examples that actually make sense.

Marcus Thompson

Head of Financial Education

Marcus is the guy who turns boring financial theory into practical strategies that work in real life. He's helped hundreds of South African families create budgets that actually stick and savings plans that don't require living on bread and water.

Looking Ahead

We're not planning to slow down anytime soon. Our vision for 2026 and beyond is ambitious but simple: we want to be the go-to resource for financial education in South Africa.

But here's what that actually means in practical terms – we want every South African to have access to financial tools and knowledge that help them build wealth, not just survive paycheck to paycheck.

Expand Our Reach

Launch community programs in underserved areas where financial education is desperately needed but rarely available.

Better Tools

Develop mobile-friendly tools that work even with limited data, because financial planning shouldn't be a luxury for people with unlimited internet.

Real Impact

Help 50,000 South Africans achieve specific financial goals by 2026 – whether that's buying a home, starting a business, or simply building an emergency fund.

15,000+

People Helped

200+

Business Clients

Years of Impact

95%

Client Satisfaction