About Us
Launch Courses started because we got tired of watching people say "I've always wanted to..." and then never do it. You know the feeling? You want to learn pottery. Or guitar. Or how to bake bread that doesn't turn into a brick. So we built a place where that actually happens. Since 2019, we've watched over 2,100 people walk through our doors in Nelspruit and discover they're way more creative than they thought. Our courses aren't fancy or complicated. They're just real people teaching real skills to people who actually want to learn them. No pretense. No boring lectures. Just you, a skill, and someone who knows what they're doing.
Over time, we’ve built a reputation for reliability, quality, and clear communication. We treat each project as a partnership and aim for outcomes that last.
Meet Our Team
The people behind Launch Courses
Marcus Thorn
Founder & Woodworking Instructor
Built his first table at 14. Now he teaches people furniture making and runs the whole operation. Obsessed with hand tools and terrible dad jokes. Can usually be found in the wood shop covered in sawdust.
Zara Modise
Creative Director & Visual Arts Lead
Studied fine art in Jo'burg, came home to Nelspruit with a mission. She designs our courses and teaches painting, sculpture, and ceramics. Her studio smells like clay and coffee in the best way.
James Chen
Operations Manager & Music Instructor
Guitarist, former touring musician, current problem-solver. Handles scheduling, student support, and teaches music theory and performance. Thinks every day should include at least one good song.
We’re a team that values ownership, clarity, and growth. We celebrate wins, learn fast, and keep client outcomes at the center.
Our Story
Three friends met at a market in 2019. One was a woodworker, one taught kids' art, one ran a catering business. They all kept running into the same problem: talented people stuck in boring jobs, dying to try something creative but having no idea where to start. So they pooled their skills and rented a tiny space on Main Road. First course? Woodworking basics. Twelve people signed up. By month four, they were running five different classes. Now we've got everything from jewelry making to music production, and we've trained over 89 instructors who actually care about their students.
Company founded with a team of 3 passionate professionals
Expanded services and reached 500+ satisfied customers
Opened new headquarters and doubled our team size
Celebrated serving over 2,000 clients with 98% satisfaction rate
Our Core Values
The principles that guide everything we do
Real Over Polished
We're not pretending to be something we're not. Your instructor will probably spill coffee. The space gets messy. That's how learning actually works.
Everyone Belongs Here
Genuinely. Age doesn't matter. Talent doesn't matter. Budget doesn't matter. We've got scholarships, payment plans, and zero judgment.
Show Up, Keep Showing Up
Consistency beats perfection every single time. We're building habits, not hunting geniuses.
Respect the Craft
Whether you're learning chess or metalwork, your hobby deserves an instructor who actually knows it and loves it.
Our Mission
We're here to make learning hobbies accessible and genuinely enjoyable for everyone in our community. Our job's simple: take the intimidation out of starting something new, give you solid instruction, and send you home excited to practice. We want people actually finishing what they started.
Our Vision
Picture this: every person in Nelspruit has tried something creative they never thought they could do. That's where we're heading. We're building a community where picking up a new hobby feels normal, not scary. Where people show up, laugh, mess up, and come back next week anyway.
Our Approach
Our approach combines proven methods with modern tools. We start with discovery, align on goals, plan clearly, and execute with quality checks at every step.