It is impossible to ignore Lebohang Ramone as his voice breaks the airwaves on a local radio station every week. But more recently it is the unavoidable scratch cards, promising hundreds of thousands in cash and prizes that he promotes, which have the country buzzing. Screaming “700,000 to be won” the cards are a sales marketing campaign for Aloe products by Elegant Ventures, owned by Ramone.

He says LEAP was introduced to him when he started investigating possibilities to expand his market to export. However he decided to test the fund with a pilot campaign in Lesotho, which he is likely to use in the export market. The project is funding the design and printing of the scratch cards.

“I was very skeptical at first because funds like this one usually take a long time in Lesotho. But I submitted my proposal, it was approved, I paid about forty thousand Maloti as agreed and my 60% was refunded quicker than I expected.” Says Ramone

Since the five month campaign was launched in June, the company has had to hire a full time Marketing Manager, promote a temporary employee to full time, and hire 2 more temporary assistants.

“The campaign has increased our sales by at least 20%.”

This, he says, has now convinced him that he can rely on LEAP to assist him as he tackles the larger markets of South Africa and the Southern African Customs Union, SACU. He says he is also convinced that the strategy used by LEAP for funding is the best as it ensures that people spend money on things they really need.

“If you are in business you must first take the risk and show that you are committed.” - Lebohang Ramone