Hey Creative Story Lab

Founder

VELDSKOEN SHOES

Co-Founder

PLAKKIE

Just Perfect - Digital Agency

Managing Partner

VuvuPlaza Deal A Day Site

I am really good at building brands off the back of digital and social media. I know how to build communities first and launch products after. I won a few film awards back in the day and have taken that love for telling stories and focused it into being a brand venture builder. I don't like building where it's crowded. I love building where nobody else is.

I recently built a brand with two friends into 33 countries globally. Prior to that I built some great eCommerce companies in South Africa. 

I am ridiculously passionate about helping startups find their voice. I am fortunate enough to spend some of my time coaching startups on how to tell their story better and how to use free tools to build their businesses.

Ja no, I know someone for that.

It’s such a South African thing to say! And I love it. 

From finding someone to fix a bakkie to finding someone who can open doors to international business, I’ve seen this phrase shape my entire career.

I’ve been fortunate enough to help build a few epic brands over the years. None of that happened in isolation. It all happened because of introductions, networks, and people who said, “Ja no, I know someone for that.”

That’s exactly why we started The Lekker Network. I wanted to capture that uniquely South African magic, the power of connection, and scale it so that more entrepreneurs, startups, and business leaders could access the relationships that change everything.

I’ve sat with founders who have nothing more than an idea and free tools, and I’ve watched them turn that into global businesses. Not because they had all the resources, but because someone knew someone who could help. That’s the power of network. And inside The Lekker Network, it’s our way of building businesses, creating opportunities, and helping South Africans do what we do best: succeed together.

Interested in joining a network where you can be the answer to someone’s need and where someone always has the answer to yours? Let’s talk. Send me a message here on LinkedIn or set up an appointment through my profile. 

Lekker.

Nic Latouf

Co-Founder of The Lekker Network | 2x Successful Exits (+1 absolute disaster) | Lekker Investments

The Lekker Network - We’re launching our first official paid campaign! 

We're finally stepping out from pure word-of-mouth and organic growth, and we couldn’t be more excited to share what we’ve been working on.

It’s called “Ja no, I know someone for that.” 

The idea came straight from a team brainstorm that got very South African, very fast.

We were throwing ideas around the room, some brilliant, some a little questionable, but somewhere between the laughs and the caffeine, it just clicked. Someone said those famous words, “Ja no, I know someone for that,” and suddenly the room filled with a whole lotta Yoh's, Aweh's, sho's, and Woohoo's 
.
We all knew. That was it. That was us.

The Lekker Network has always been about people helping people.

When we were thinking about how to bring that to life in a campaign, this phrase just felt right. 

The team had an absolute blast developing the concept. A lot of laughter, plenty of coffee, and more “that’s so South African” moments than we could count. The energy was unreal, and honestly, that’s what makes this community special.

I’d love to hear what you think. What are your thoughts? Feedback? Ideas? Heck, even if you just want to goi in your own version of “Ja no, I know someone for that”.

The Lekker Network team is incredible, and our members make it what it is: collaborative, creative, and full of heart.

Let’s keep building this network one “Ja no, I know someone for that” at a time 
.

THANK YOU Robyn Curnow for last nights talk! It was brilliant to hear your perspective on why South Africans are built different! 

The Q&A session afterwards was equally as fascinating! 

Safe travels back to Atlanta and hope we can do more of these but in different locations around the world!

Thank you too to our good friends at Lula for sponsoring and partnering with us on last nights event! Looking forward to doing so much more with you guys. Go global already!

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Heard a damn funny story. So I was chatting to a guy in Florida a few days ago and he was telling me that when you drive around certain areas you see ‘Trump’ signs on the side of many of the properties and developments. 

So, most people think that it’s Donald right?! Turns out it’s a South African property developer that has dominated this space and his name is Jules Trump! Otherwise known as The Other Trump! Wild hey! 

This is one of the best parts about building The Lekker Network is uncovering these incredible Saffas around the world. I have so many of these stories that I am tempted to start a Substack where I can share them as I hear them! 

Ps. I have another wild one about Elon. I am now one degree of separation away 😝

So lekker to bump into Elijah Djan last night at the epic The Open Letter event! Elijah and I met a few years ago when they were just starting out building their company. 

Seeing them now and how they are flying makes me so damn happy! They went from building an app that would teach kids financial literacy to building a board game doing the same. Why I am super excited about this is I think digital fatigue is a real thing and people are wanting more real life experiences which is why board games are such a smart pivot! He was even telling me one of the big banks has asked if they can create a board game for them! 

Elijah, here a board game idea! Launch a Springboks board game where every player ends up being a different team and the lucky one gets to be the Springboks and you play rugby tests on a board game! Huh? What do you think? 😛 

Thanks Renier Kriel for a brilliant evening!!

So we have these sessions in The Lekker Network where Saffas from all over the world get on a call and everyone talks about where in the world they are and what it is they do! Simple but powerful and designed to help you connect and build new relationships.

I was on one of these sessions this morning and it was so brilliant. Had someone who has just moved to Vietnam. Another making waves in Egypt (and prepping to run a 10km race through the pyramids) and a few in Cape Town…someone in Shanghai and then Jean Marie in Cyprus. All sharing knowledge, experience and opportunity. 

South Africans helping South Africans soar on a global stage!

Howzit! Listen, if you’re in Cape Town and keen to join this event you can ping me. I am sure I can organise a few more spots at the event. We were chatting earlier and we agreed we can open at least another 10 spots. 

Just DM me please. Can’t promise everyone a spot but at least the first 10 that message me.

Max Smart sent me this a few days ago. Made me smile.

Another realisation around being a dad at this moment in time. Maybe more now than ever we need to be super active in our kids lives - teaching them wholesome ways. 

Chatting this morning with other dads and hearing stories of deepfakes, AI companions taking the place of friends, the epidemic of bullying and meanness on social channels - in my mind makes being a dad (parent) one of the most important jobs of our time! 

I don’t have all the answers - and am so open to hearing how others are tackling not just digital / screens but the rise of AI in our homes and umm, how did someone put it this morning - AI replacing the voice inside our kids heads. 

What’s the answer? My gut tells me how much more we need to be present and aware in our little ones lives. How important sport it. How important getting outdoors and going on walks and hikes. How important it is to build self confidence and self esteem in our kids to such a level that they’ll be bullet proof to the meanness across social media. 

Would love to hear some other opinions and thoughts and ideas to help shape mine.

Sorry, I’m rambling.

taplio

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taplio

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