What The Luxe
What The Luxe
What makes something worth more than the sum of its parts? Why do certain brands command belief whilst others struggle for attention? What does ‘luxury’ even mean? What qualifies? Investigating the minds, mechanics and mythologies of modern luxury, What The Luxe is a series of conversations with the founders, directors and creatives behind modern marques. Together, we unpack the psychology of value, the business of brand, and the spirit that drives today’s best-in-class. Expect founding stories, bold positioning calls, and the messy truths behind polished brands. Because whether it’s craft, commerce, psychology or lore—all roads lead to value. A weekly podcast from Matter Of Form. Hosted by Anant Sharma & Fred Moore.
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Aug. 19, 2025

Deborah Calmeyer • ROAR AFRICA • Founder & CEO

S5E11: Building ROAR AFRICA: Founder & CEO Deborah Calmeyer on Conservation, Business, and Market Strategy

Growing up during Zimbabwe’s Bush War, Deborah Calmeyer moved to New York at 24 and built ROAR AFRICA from a side project to help her zoologist father into a leading luxury safari operator. Now she runs 200+ trips annually across a continent where geography comprehension and operational logistics challenge even seasoned travel companies.

Our host Fred Moore examines Deborah’s business model, built from her unique perspective across multiple worlds—a childhood in the Zimbabwean countryside and decades living between the urbanity of New York and Cape Town. The conversation covers her operational philosophy of removing friction points, from hot espresso waiting on runways to managing complex multi-country itineraries through destinations like Botswana’s Okavango Delta (Deborah’s top recommendation).

They discuss the economics of conservation tourism, high-value low-traffic models, and the measurable impact of COVID-19 on wildlife protection when tourism ceased. Deborah explains her deliberate strategy of building a predominantly female-led company in a traditionally male-dominated industry, the challenges of scaling supplier networks, and her private jet initiative connecting multiple destinations efficiently. An episode exploring market positioning, operational excellence, and how conviction-driven leadership can reshape entire industries.