You’re leaving money on the table - every single day
There’s a 100% chance your business is operating at less than 50% of its full potential. That’s where I come in. As a Conversion Optimisation Specialist and Cialdini Certified Ethical Influence Practitioner, I help business owners:
- Embed persuasive communication into your team’s culture — at every touchpoint, from marketing to customer experience, driving sales and building trust.
- Distinguish your business from your competitors by clearly differentiating your brand in a crowded market.
- Craft a compelling value proposition that answers the one question every prospect is asking: “Why should I buy from you rather than your competitors?”
It’s time to become the only logical choice in your market
Let’s talk — click the button below and let's build a brand that’s impossible to ignore
...or chat with me on Whatsapp
About Leon Lategan
Conversion Optimisation Specialist, Cialdini Certified Ethical Influence Practitioner, & Global Speaker
Leon isn’t your typical “marketing guru.” He’s a university dropout who failed his way to success. After spending four years (and his father’s money) on a business science degree he didn’t complete, Leon discovered his true passion: results. He then immersed himself in the world of marketing, learning through trial and error, and ultimately becoming South Africa’s #1 Conversion Optimisation Specialist.
With over 30 years of entrepreneurial experience, Leon isn’t a theorist, he’s a practitioner who has helped hundreds of businesses generate hundreds of millions in revenue.
- Trained and coached over 50,000 entrepreneurs, business owners, and professionals through live events and online platforms like the REAL Success Summit during COVID, with the likes of Deepak Chopra, Jack Cranfield, Les Brown, Daymond John, Dr Demartini and others
- Worked with millionaire dollar entrepreneurs in 21 cities worldwide, including Nairobi, Cairo, Amman, Hamad, Muharraq, Orlando, and Port Louis
- Consulted for top brands like ABSA, Nedbank, Pam Golding Properties, The Foschini Group, Bidvest Bank, Vodacom, Virgin Active, JEEP, King Price, and Renault
- Founded and sold Purple Cow, one of South Africa’s leading digital agencies, to Yellow Pages in 2012
- Served as CEO of Independent Online (IOL), launching 11 major newspaper titles into the digital space
- Voted Top Speaker at 15 Sales & Marketing Conferences across Southern Africa
- Delivered keynote talks at high-impact events in countries like Botswana, Rwanda, and Kenya
- Founder of the School of Entrepreneurship, REAP Academy & the P13 MBA (Marketing Business Accelerator) Programme
International Judge
In 2022, 2023 and 2024, Leon was invited to be a judge in The Africa’s Business Heroes competition, run by Jack Ma’s Foundation (Billionaire Jack Ma, Founder of Alibaba).
See How Other Entrepreneurs Are Growing Their Businesses
Featured Case Study
Jamal Ismail, Medrisk
“Meet Leon Lategan, the true founder of Medrisk…
“About eight years ago, I was working as a general insurance broker, offering everything from life cover and medical aids to short-term insurance. It was a challenging period, filled with uncertainty and a lack of direction.
“Then, I met Leon Lategan – Coach and Creator of Entrepreneurs, who would transform my business and my life. During a marketing course with Leon, he gave me a piece of advice that changed everything: stop being a jack of all trades and specialize in one area.
“Changing my LinkedIn profile to reflect my new focus on medical malpractice insurance felt awkward and uncomfortable at first. Despite my newfound passion, I wasn’t entirely at ease with this shift. But Leon’s push in the right direction was exactly what I needed.
“Today, I’m proud to say that I am the CEO and founder of Medrisk, one of the leading medical malpractice insurance brokers in the country. The transition from a generalist to a specialist has been incredibly rewarding. I now deeply understand my audience and their unique challenges.
“I remember those dreaded days when I reluctantly gave advice on retirement annuities just to make ends meet, even though I absolutely hated it. Now, I’m doing what I love, specializing in an area that excites me every day.
“A lot of credit goes to Leon for guiding me towards specialization. His wisdom set me on a path to success, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
“To anyone feeling stuck or unsure about their career path: take the leap and follow your passion. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but it could lead you to a place you never imagined possible. Keep pushing forward, and trust in the journey.”
Case Study
Hilton Mubengo, The Paint Boys
From R4,000 a Month to R100,000 a Month: A Painter's Transformation
“Before I meet with Leon, I was a poor person struggling to get work & I was earning not more than R4 000 per month and it was very difficult for me to put proper food on the table but now there is a big change in my life. Since he started to help me with my business I manage to buy 2 expensive vehicles and work is not a problem anymore. I have made about R100 000 per month for the last 3 months. I don’t even know how can I thank him he is such a good person with a good heart.”
Case Study
Alan Keet, Nomad Drilling
10X Return on Investment: Refining Marketing for Explosive Growth
“Since meeting Leon and spending a few hours consulting with him, we’ve had a phenomenal return on our investment. Our costs since the engagement, which really was about focusing our attention on refining our website, our marketing and our customer journey, have been approximately R70k (over 6 months) and we’ve had direct conversions of approximately 10 times that!”
Case Study
John Kidger, Farmyard Organics
More Leads in 3 Months Than the Past 7 Years: Website Revenue Skyrockets
Case Study
Kinlock le Roux, Botshop
Bounce Rate Plummeted, Sales Soared 433%: One Simple Change
Case Study
Karen Donkin, iGO Travel
Conversion Rates Increased 333%: Sales Consultants Achieve Best-Ever Months
Case Study
Patricia Haag, Powerlounge
Turnover increased by 445% in only 4 weeks
Success Stories
Kasi 2 Kasi Plumbers Association
Before starting the programme Thabo made on average R 2000 profit per month. Currently his profits are between R 35 000 – R 80 000 per month.
Thabo is 54 years old and started his business in 2017. He joined the programme in 2023 and during the process, changed the whole focus and strategy of his business.
He operates in Diepsloot Soweto and extended his business to a plumbing association with 3 categories:
- Helping aspiring plumbers in townships to get certified
- Assist existing plumbers (3+years) to become certified and register with ARPL
- Assist qualified plumbers with access to the market and expand their profits.
He partnered with SETA Jhb and also works with Harmony Gold Mine.
His goal for 2024 is to upskill 3000 plumbers to get them certified and registered with the relevant
bodies.
With the knowledge he gained from the entrepreneurship programme he:
- Revisited and changed his strategies
- Changed his business management and focussed on what he does best
- Upskilled his marketing – especially improving his social media marketing
Imbokodo Courier Services
During and after the programme she increased her profits with 75 % per month.
- she changed my whole business concept to specialize in a specific area
- she learnt and understand the importance of consistency now
- and to never give up, but rather to find solutions to every challenge she encountered
Gemini Engineering Solutions
His annual turnover before the programme: +/- R 250 000
His annual turnover after the programme: +/- R1.1 million
Velaphi is 40 years and started his business in 2015. He is an Engineering Consultant, based in Durban.
He self-funded using his payout after resigning from his job in 2015. Since the programme, he received a R100 000 grant from a Sasol Development Fund and as part of the Sasol Programme can get up to R10 Million interest-free loan for capital expenditure required for any specific customer project.
He has grown from being a subcontractor to being the main contractor on projects.
He sustains himself and 5 employees, with about a dozen contract workers.
Skills learnt particularly from the programme:
- Marketing strategies and following up with prospects
- Accountability (focus, motivation, goal setting)
- Branding (clarity and tools to use to save costs)
Chillas Zone
In the beginning, his business was small with low profits. Doing this programme contributed hugely to increasing his turnover and profits in his business.
Jack is 32 years old and based in Nkambako Village, Tzaneen, Limpopo.
His business was running for 18 months when he joined the programme in March 2023.
Valuable knowledge he gained from the programme:
- how to handle his finances better,
- improved his marketing strategy,
- the importance of time management (which he was lacking)
- understanding goal setting and the importance of it better
- problem analysis
He sees this programme as a “power tool” of knowledge and
guidance that he will continue to use to grow his business.
Maxin Clothing
Doing the programme contributed hugely to increasing her turnover and profits.
Preciah is the Principal of Westvalia Day Care Centre. She lives in Khujwana Village and her business is based in Tzaneen, Limpopo.
She started her business as a hobby in October 2022, and was running for 4 months when she joined the programme in March 2023.
She employed a manager when she opened her 1st shop, in December 2023 she employed an assistant for her second shop.
She got a partner in 2023 and opened a second outlet in December 2023. She gained valuable knowledge regarding:
- pricing structures,
- understand the finances better and how to manage it,
- a better understanding of her business concept,
- gained much through proper marketing research as learnt from the programme,
- goal setting,
- corrected many mistakes she made in the beginning because she had little knowledge of how to run a business and
- motivation to never give up at times when she felt she wanted to give up.
Ultra Intellects Gardening and Cleaning
He was making less than R2000 per month and now he is making an average of R6000 per month.
Silas was one of the Bursary Students in 2023 when he was 36 years old. He has developed self mastery, sales skills, business compliance and his big ‘why’ as to why he is in business.”
E-commerce
She had no income prior and currently makes R3000 per month.
Tasneem was 20 years old when she attended the programme in 2022. She is based in Durban and started her online business after commencing the programme.
“The area of the course that had the greatest impact on me and my business was the mindset and personal development area. It taught me to be patient and consistent even if I wasn’t seeing results immediately”
Agricultural Business
At the start of the programme she was making R1000 per week and currently she is making R3500 per week.
Luyanda was 18 years old when she attended the programme in 2022, and also started her business during the same time (in 2022).
She is based in Pietermaritzburg, KZN, and one of the most important aspects she learnt from the programme is: “Know your customer”.
More Testimonials
Valentine Lunga
★★★★★
“Coach Leon, you are the best!! thank you for a platform that educates and equips me to start and scale my business. The school of entrepreneurship has become part of my life. I have mixed emotions as i finish with my course, I am happy that i have learnt so much, have built amazing friendships with the other students and have been taught by the best but i will miss you and all the other coaches. Thank you so much !! I will go out there and implement all that i have been taught, cant’t wait.”
Abel Kortje
★★★★★
Sue Lorraine
★★★★★
Nobuhle Zondi
★★★★★
Thomas Antoine-Williams
★★★★★
Caroline Karanja
★★★★★
Puleng Matatiele
★★★★★
Sbusisiwe Chili
★★★★★
More Success Stories
Leila Blom
Backyard Farms
"In 2020 was approached by a lovely man who was involved in a big charity based feeding scheme during covid lockdown. He asked me if I wanted to start a social enterprise with him based on working in communities and townships to create gardens where they grow and sell chillies onions, basil, red pepper, tomato and herbs, we then buy their harvests and use them in our range of table and cooking sauces."
"When I was asked to help start this endeavour I decided to join the School of Entrepreneurship since I knew nothing about starting a business or where to even begin! I enjoyed the diverse topics that the School of Entrepreneurship covered and after long days out I would go home and be able to share the same struggles & learn from the other students who were facing the same challenges which was motivating."
"We started Backyard Farms as a team of three (my colleagues who are husband and wife still have their own full-time jobs, so I am the only one who is working on this project full time) but it has helped immensely to have a team who can bounce ideas of one another, so I cannot take full credit for everything that has been done. We have just recently been stocked in a Wellness Warehouse and a Pick ‘n Pay so we now employed a 4th person who is helping with the production of the sauce so that I can focus on growing the business."
Pelisa Mpumlwana
Lisas Box
"To me, to actually take the initiative & be an exhibitor at the Rand Show may sound like bragging, but it was one of my greatest milestones for 2022 & most bitter sweet business challenge."
"With the School of Entrepreneurship, I have changed my way of thinking thanks to Verity Price, one of their coaches. I recently attended the Rand Show and I was not looking for opportunities to catapult to unprecedented limited heights, instead, I was looking for business opportunities that landed me where the School of Entrepreneurship has taught me in their skill implementation sessions."
"But here is the thing also, I planned for the Rand Show & no matter how much I made plans things did not go as planned. This rang true when I had to take a bus from the Eastern Cape with Lisas Box stock to Johannesburg. This challenge showed me how much I was willing to grow in business.
In summary, Lisas Box made it’s 1st yoco sale & many more thereafter. Lisas Box got featured on African Celebration TV & made new stakeholders."
214 5-star Google Reviews from Entrepreneurs across 52 Countries
He is always enjoyable too.
He answers your questions directly which is greatly appreciated. He has a wonderful sense of humor whi dry humor too.
My clients can always count on my energy and humor and we spend hours over time preparing for the races I direct for them. Thank you Leon.
Cheryl Anker , Off N Running Tours
I can't recommend Leon and his marketing approach enough - it's no BS, easy to understand, easy to apply, plus there are a lot of laughs along the way. If you choose to work with Leon and apply his knowledge, you WILL grow your business!
LEON IS YOUR GUY!
I joined Leon's P13 MBA course after attending the REAL Entrepreneur Intensive and have been nothing short of amazed! Leon is a HIGHLY knowledgeable leader in his field and very thorough in explaining marketing concepts. As a coach he is not afraid to give honest feedback and I appreciate his candid and direct approach. He genuinely cares about his students and wants to help entrepreneurs succeed! I have gotten so much more value out of this than what I ever could have imagined. I will absolutely be continuing to work with him. 5 Stars all around!
all I am learning! Leon is an inspiring teacher who expects us to be totally committed to our task of creating an exceptional landing page. His style is very practical, which I love. He requires us to focus on clarity and in so doing look deep within ourselves to discover why we are doing what we are doing. There is a lot of work, but I have had many breakthrough moments and am thrilled with taking my dream to the next level! Thank you so much, Leon!
Contact Leon
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