Seatavern

THE OPPORTUNITY FORMULA 2026A 5-Hour Immersive Workshop for Young Adults (18–30) to Build Purpose, Unlock Global Opportunities & Transform Their LinkedIn.Includes Lunch + 3 Professional Headshots.

About the WorkshopHow do we make dreams happen realistically?

Hi, I’m Marlene Mostert, Cape Town local — your host.By the age of 20, I raised three major grants that helped me build my business from zero, and received four fully-funded international trips — all with zero money spent and no degree (yet).

Not because I was the most qualified.Not because I had connections.But because young people have far more opportunities than they realise — they just don’t know where to find them or how to position themselves.This workshop exists to change that.

The Opportunity Formula 2026 is a creative, high-energy, transformative 5-hour experience designed to give you the exact tools, mindset, and strategies that allowed me to build my path from scratch.

Inside The Mercantile Building, you’ll go on a guided journey from identity - digital presence - opportunity mapping - networking - action plan, all delivered through hands-on activities, storytelling, and real-world frameworks.

Lunch is included, along with 3 professionally photographed headshots from our studio room and a full digital toolkit to continue growing independently.Only 20 seats available for personalised support and community.

PROGRAM TopicsOfficial times and order to be confirmed.

Identity, Purpose & The Opportunity Mindset

(Icebreakers, confidence reset, personal positioning)The workshop opens with music, color, fun drinks, and a warm welcome.1. Welcome & Energy Reset (10 mins)What this workshop will unlockWhy young people “miss” opportunitiesCases of youth success in South Africa - from zero to building biogas plants with no engineering degree - to changing careers after university.

2. Purpose & Opportunity Mapping (20 mins)Align with yourself - so we can align with the right opportunities.Activity to set the foundation for all the tools you will use for opportunity mapping

LinkedIn Transformation Lab

(Live optimisation + templates + headshots)3. The LinkedIn Formula (15 mins)The art of using Linkedin : Opening doors to opportunity - A Practical Guide4. Profile Overhaul (30 mins)Live editing:HeadlineAbout sectionExperienceAchievementsSkillsKeywords5. Professional Headshots onsite in photography studio (35 mins)3 portrait shots per personFor LinkedIn + applicationsDeliverables:? 3 professional headshots? Almost-finished LinkedIn profile? Templates for all sections

Finding Local & Global Opportunities

6. Where Opportunities Actually Live (20 mins)Map of the opportunity ecosystem including local, remote, hybrid, government & international scopeTypes of opportunities and key differences Eg. funding, programsWhere to find them with real life links, spaces and names.7. Application Strategy (20 mins)Realistic expectations for applicationsStorytelling for beginnersWhat selection committees look for8. Personal Opportunity Map (20 mins)Participants:Build a 3–6 month planSelect their top 5 opportunitiesMap deadlinesDeliverables:Opportunity listWhat to expect with applicationsPersonal opportunity plan

Practical Networking + Lunch Networking Simulation(Includes lunch)9. How Networking Works (20 mins)Where to find eventsWhat to sayHow to follow upCreating opportunities for yourselfBreaking the fear of talking to people10. Networking Simulation Lunch (40 mins)While eating lunch:Participants practice networkingYou coach them in real timeFun cartoon business cards to make it easier and playfulDeliverables:Real networking experienceFollow-up templatesLunch included

Social Media as an Opportunity Engine

12. Training the Algorithm (20 mins)How to make social media work for you - let opportunities find you first.

13. Closing + Toolkit Handout (10 mins)One action step from each personDigital toolkit via QR code:CV templateLinkedIn templatesOutreach messagesOpportunity trackerSustainability career pathwaysRecommended platforms15. Final photos, Q&A, and goodbyes (5 mins)

WHAT YOU LEAVE WITH3 professional headshotsAn optimised LinkedIn profileOpportunity search listDigital toolkitNetworking practiceA 3–6 month roadmapNew connectionsLunch included

EVENT DETAILSDate: 10, 24, 31 Open from 08:00, Starts at 09:00 to 14:005 hoursThe Mercantile Building, 63 Hout Street, Cape Town City CentreLimited to 20 participants per workshopLunch included3 headshots includedDigital toolkit included