Nicholas Verity

Cleverly

Axe Automation

We automate and systematize businesses for more profit and less overwhelm.

Managing Partner

Here

Investor

Miravel

Miravel makes autonomous indoor wall gardens for people to grow healthy food at home.

RevGenius

Member

Mediakix

Marketing & Sales Coordinator

Vibrant Media

Digital Sales Intern

DreamWorks Animation

I worked in the Home Entertainment Department, primarily focusing on the launch of Trolls for the Home Entertainment window. 

- Brainstormed and pitched strategies for leveraging Virtual & Augmented Reality to monetize and provide value through a unique storytelling experience. 
- Collaborated with a promotional partner and crafted data driven strategic decks. 
- Crafted several focused and effective marketing PowerPoints. 
- Researched two of our Netflix properties and provided insights for future DVD compilations. 
- Analyzed business involving digital retailers: Google Play, iTunes, Amazon Video and VUDU. 
- Conducted thorough competitive analysis of competing titles in digital and physical retail.

Product & Market Strategy Intern

ASI, Marketing Design & Public Relations

Marketing, design and public relations department for Associated Students Incorporated.

- Organized over 300 marketing projects for local organizations. 
- Worked side by side with an office of graphic designers, writers, photographers and multi-media developers. 
- Communicated with clients consistently throughout projects. 
- Handled relations with the client and vendors to provide the best solution for the client. 
- Problem solved by face-to-face, e-mail and cellular interactions.

Operations Assistant

NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Collaborate directly with a NASA scientist to assess the commercial viability of a NASA developed technology.

Technology Transfer Consultant

CEO at Cleverly | Advisor at Axe Automation

🗣️ B2B service businesses, Saas Founders, agencies, consultants:

I scale leads and sales for 1,500+ B2B business owners with 1,000+ 5-star reviews to prove it.

And our clients get results like this:
→ "My optins have EXPLODED and I'm getting 2 to 3x more upsells" —  Jay, CEO Copy Agency
→ "Since launching yesterday I have 20 leads to follow up on already…" —  Ali, Consultant for Oil & Gas
→ "Cleverly's our #1 acquisition partner, delivering a lower CPA than Google." — Jake, VP Sales, HR SaaS
→ “Estimated revenue: $3,250,000. Meetings booked: 65” — Sebastian, AE @ Development Shop

If you’re like most B2B business owners, you’ve tried: 
❌ “Proven” cold outreach strategies that result in…crickets
❌ Expensive Google and Facebook Ads 
❌ Hiring expensive consultants that don't do anything or using cheap, spammy tools

But none of that works… especially in today’s economy, where everyone’s tightening their budgets and no one wants to invest in new products or services. 

That’s why we help our clients shortcut their B2B lead gen using Linkedin. 

And we work fast. Within the first 7 days, a 1:1 dedicated LinkedIn expert: 
✅ Builds tightly qualified targeting lists of your ideal clients
✅ Strategizes your entire LinkedIn sales funnel with you
✅ Writes you personalized and proven cold messages people actually respond to (no spam)
✅ Launches campaigns for you (with proactive, ongoing management + real-time reporting)
✅ Places a trained appointment setter to handle the leads we win you

All that’s left for you to do is close those leads. ☕  

Our clients land 5-20 qualified conversations with their ideal clients *within the first 30 days of working with us*...

Ready to build a long-lasting LinkedIn strategy?  

Book your 15-minute consultation and we’ll show you how: https://www.cleverly.co/cleverly-free-consultation

The only B2B Lead Generation Service in the world with 1,000+ 5-star reviews.

10 months ago we built a messaging campaign for Brian’s accounting firm that did $70,000 in new revenue. Want to see the exact framework we used?

- Comment CFO and I’ll send it to you -

We didn’t change his offer.
We changed his message.

By targeting:

Small + mid-sized businesses that actually needed remote CFO support
And asking the right crispy questions…

His inbox turned into a pipeline:

1. 117 replies
2. 36 qualified conversations
3. $70,000 closed in 10 months

Stop guessing what your clients might respond to.

Start messaging like they’ve been waiting to hear from you.

- Comment CFO and I’ll send it to you -

PS: If you want us to help you build your own version, DM me OFFER and I’ll share the details.

CEO at Cleverly | Advisor @ Axe Automation - Make.com Partner Of The Year 2025

Last month we ran a hyper-local outreach play for Eric R.

He partnered with local brokers, so we tightened the targeting, NYC zip codes only.

The list got smaller.
The results exploded.

→ Dozens of replies in the first few weeks
→ Conversations with pre-qualified buyers
→ Multiple deals closed straight from the first wave

The secret?

A single line we call the Crispy Question.

It’s built to trigger real replies, not polite “not interested” ones and reveal exactly where the buyer sits in their decision cycle.

That one tweak turned a small list into a live sales pipeline.

Want to see the framework behind the Question?

Comment NYC and I’ll send it to you.

PS: If you’d rather have us build your version, DM me OFFER and I’ll share the details.

The Luminary Hub

LinkedIn feels like a chore instead of a game-changer... 
Let’s fix that.

What we do at The Luminary Hub:
• Help you attract the right people and stand out in the crowd.
• Simplify LinkedIn strategies so they fit into your busy life.
• Deliver measurable growth without endless trial and error.

Here’s what clients have achieved with us:
• Paige transformed her profile into a lead-generating magnet in just six weeks.
• Will boosted his engagement by 225% and became a sought-after thought leader.
• Sam turned 6 LinkedIn conversations into 2 high-value partnerships after just 2-weeks

And for groups we’ve worked with:
• CEOs now post with confidence and connect with clients effortlessly.
• Teams see a 20% lift in content engagement within 6 weeks.
• Businesses are scaling faster by turning LinkedIn into a lead engine.

Why we do it:

Our mission is simple—amplify Africa’s leaders and turn LinkedIn into their most powerful business tool.

Are you ready to elevate your LinkedIn game?

DM me with "Luminary" or schedule a strategy call here: https://bit.ly/3V7yymp

Founder

GenEx - Generational Education Exchange

I oversaw and supported the sales, marketing, and product owner teams. Collectively, we worked hard to implement GenEx seamlessly in schools across Africa.

Collaborating with the CEO and HR Head, I was also involved with staff recruitment, training, and fulfilment, ensuring policies meet their needs for a positive workplace experience.

I directed daily operations by managing operational staff, coordinating activities, and establishing clear lines of authority to ensure smooth functioning.

Head Of Operations

Rallim Preparatory 

During my tenure, I revolutionised school marketing strategies to ensure Rallim's standout presence.

Key Achievements:

Spearheaded strategic growth initiatives, filling 87% of student capacity prior to opening in January 2019 and sustaining a 95% enrolment rate from 2020 to 2022, growing the student body to 830.

Led the transition to digital marketing tactics, successfully hosting virtual Open Days during the pandemic with attendance peaking at 1,200 in 2019, and maintaining strong turnout in subsequent years.

Initiated and marketed the bi-annual Hucksters Feastival, a community market event, drawing over 2,000 attendees, boosting community engagement, and enhancing Rallim's brand visibility.

Co-wrote the Rallim school song with renowned artist Arno Carstens, adding a creative and personal touch to our school spirit.

Head of Marketing

WhySatisfy

We partnered with and led sales for leading platforms like Conversocial (now Verint), Brandwatch, Zendesk, and Unmetric across Africa.

Key Achievements:

Boosted annual sales revenue by 25% in 2018, achieving R12.75 million through strategic leadership and skilled team management.

Secured a R1.5 million contract with Takealot by fostering key relationships and strategic advertising.

Surpassed sales targets by 110% through targeted digital marketing strategies and robust sales training.

Prominent clients include Media24, Takealot, Shoprite Checkers, Capitec Bank, UBA Group, FlySaf Air, and Old Mutual.

Co-founder & Director

Startup Grind

Together, along with colleague and friend Guillaume de Smedt, we grew this community to 2000 professionals in the space of 18 months.

- Achieved a consistent monthly growth rate of 30% in attendance capacity over two years, resulting in the need for three venue changes to accommodate increasing demand.

- Successfully secured sponsorship from PayFast, Sir Juice, and Trilogy Audio to support event operations and enhance the attendee experience.

As the head of digital at Startup Grind, I was responsible for leading and executing the digital strategy.

Head of Digital - Cape Town Chapter

Conversocial

As a SaaS Account Executive, I was responsible for driving growth for Conversocial by developing and executing business strategies. I identified new market opportunities, negotiated partnerships, and led cross-functional teams to deliver successful projects. 

My goal was to increase revenue and market share, positioning Conversocial as a leader in the SaaS industry.

- Achieved 154% in Year 1 and 350% in Year 2 through effective prospecting, targeted research, and successful sales calls and meetings.

- Won key clients such as Tesco, British Airways, Sainsbury's, Cineworld, William Hill, and Barclaycard by effectively differentiating Conversocial from competitors such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Falcon.

Account Executive - EMEA

Reed Business Information

I managed a portfolio of customers and universities for two titles, New Scientist and Community Care, by demonstrating product value, using data-driven sales strategies, and providing exceptional customer service. 

I exceeded sales targets, stayed ahead of industry trends, and continually searched for new business opportunities. I also provided regular performance reports to upper management.

- Delivered outstanding results by surpassing sales targets by 35% for two consecutive years, generating over 600,000 in revenue for New Scientist and Community Care, through strategic sales planning and execution.

- Demonstrated excellent customer retention by successfully renewing contracts with 90% of existing clients, resulting in a 15% increase in revenue from these accounts.

Sales Manager

Trinity Mirror Digital Recruitment

Trinity Mirror is one of the largest multimedia publishers in the UK. Our story is one that has evolved over time, beginning with just a single local publication.

Ad Agency Account Manager

ThirtyThree

Creating a portfolio of client accounts and monitoring the ongoing activities related to them.
Managing, reviewing progress and delivering the client’s advertisement projects.
Conducting meetings with the clients as well as informing them about the current work status of their projects.
Establishing relationships with new clients and maintaining and nurturing business relationships with existing clients.
Identifying accounts whose revenue may be shrinking so as to address any ‘at risk’ customers and reach out to these accounts to ensure they are retained.
Monitoring work performance of colleagues and setting sales targets.
Recruiting and training new account executives.

Account Manager

Telefónica UK

•	Identifying new accounts currently not ordering and sell the benefits of stocking relevant products and dealing with the company 
•	Identifying the customer's needs, buying patterns and setting up a pricing structure that is not only profitable to the company, but competitive against other suppliers within the market.
•	Retention of accounts that no longer shop with the organisation and now purchase from other suppliers.
•	Striving to win the customer back though strong negotiation, charm, excellent customer service or combination of all three 
•	Managing the lead through from cold call to becoming a new customer.
•	Think of new ways of persuading lost or new customers to shop with or come back to the organisation.
•	Strong knowledge of all products, 
•	Exceeding set KPI’s
•	Being extremely organised and able to plan daily workload in a methodical and efficient manner.

Telemarketing Account Manager

We 3x your influence by optimising your brand | Consistently through a tailored, culturally-attuned approach to personal branding and brand strategy | Start. Outlast. Win.

For many African leaders—Founders, CEOs, and Entrepreneurs—LinkedIn is more of a frustration than a growth engine.

Unclear positioning: You struggle to establish authority in your industry.
Lack of time: Your schedule is packed, making consistency impossible.
Limited visibility: Your posts don’t get the traction they deserve.
Competitors winning: You see others gaining momentum while you stay stuck.


Without a clear strategy, LinkedIn becomes just another social platform—wasted potential.
Every day you hesitate, you’re:

Missing out on high-value connections.
Losing deals to competitors who leverage LinkedIn better.
Leaving growth opportunities untapped.

At The Luminary Hub, we help Africa’s visionary leaders turn LinkedIn into a powerful business tool that delivers real, measurable growth.

Clarify your brand and vision.
Create attention-grabbing content that positions you as an authority.
Convert connections into clients with proven LinkedIn strategies.

Imagine This…

A LinkedIn presence that attracts high-quality leads effortlessly.
Content that amplifies your influence and visibility.
A profile that positions you as the go-to leader in your space.

This isn’t just possible—it’s what we do every day for leaders like you.

Ready to make LinkedIn work for you? 

Send me a DM, and let’s talk.

Paul Roberts

Young side. Red card. Bad calls. And still… we found a way. That's just who we are 🇿🇦

I’ve been talking for a while about the 
momentum is building in this country.

Today, a young Bok side showed us exactly 
what that looks like in real time.

They were down.
There was a red card.
There were some seriously questionable calls.

But they did what South Africans do best:
They made a plan.

The grit. The composure. 
The refusal to feel sorry for themselves.

That last sidestep from Ethan Hooker in the 
dying seconds? That’s not just a rugby moment...

That’s a South African mindset.

Because this is who we are:
We take the punch.
We steady ourselves.
We find another angle.

And then we drive the momentum forward.
Today, the Springboks didn’t just win a game.

They held up a mirror to a country that refuses to quit - no matter the odds, no matter the decisions, no matter the noise.

It feels so good to call myself South African.

How about you?

🇿🇦Drop a flag if you felt that same 
pride watching them today.

Paul K Roberts

Human-first LinkedIn strategy for inbound B2B | Different ​> better | Compounding trust system | Speaker | Founder @ Luminary Hub

My biggest fear? A microphone and 
a room full of smart founders.

Public speaking feels unnatural, intimidating and, 
if I’m gonna be dam honest... pretty undeserved for me.

For a long time I never believed I was someone who could add real value at volume or at scale.

Then Derrick Carolin 🖍 threw my name into the ring for a Founders Café event.

Liz Pretorius and Lisa Aspeling backed the recommendation and suddenly… I was on the speaker lineup with legends.

For months, I sat with two emotions at the same time:
1. Overwhelmingly proud to be asked
2. Quietly asking myself, “Why me?”

But then I remembered our Team Roberts saying:
Run toward.

So I did. I got up. 
I gave the talk.

And here’s the weird part:
I still feel like I did terribly.

But afterwards, founder after founder came up 
to me and said things like:

“I finally see what my execution should look like.”
“I feel clearer about how to show up on LinkedIn.”
“I actually feel confident to step onto the platform now.”

And I caught myself thinking:
“Wow. I did that.”

I was lucky enough to lean on advice from stage 
veterans like Mark Sham and Pierre du Plessis.

They know the stage well, and I’m grateful I 
could borrow some of their courage.

This whole experience reminded 
me of something important:

It’s so easy to hide behind a 
profile picture and a keyboard.

But when you walk into a room like Founders Café, 
you’re forced back into the most important thing we have:

Being human. In person.

We live in a world that is incredibly noisy right now.
Every second conversation is about AI.

And yes... AI is useful.

It can draft options.
It can tidy the structure.
AI can carry the groceries.
But it can’t cook your taste.

The judgment still has to be ours.
The voice still has to be ours.

So, adapt... lean into Authentic Intelligence.

That’s why I think spaces like Founders Café and other community-driven events are becoming critically important.

They shape how we think about tomorrow.
What we choose to lean into.
And what we refuse to outsource.

Will I do it again?
Yes.

Do I still fear the idea of doing it again?
Also yes.

But here’s the trade-off I’ve made with myself:
If I can push through that fear,
I know I can help.

So if you’re sitting there wondering:
“Should I say yes to that panel?”
“Should I host that workshop?”
“Should I share my story?”
“Why me?”

This is your nudge:
Run toward the fear.
Right through it.
Break through.
Be human.
Be specific.

And connect.

How do we take South Africa to the world?
Last night, I saw the answer. Let me explain.

A few months ago at a Suits & Sneakers event, I listened to Nick Dreyer speak.

His talk hit me so hard that the very next morning, the first thing I did was phone my wife and tell her about it.

Later, when I met Nick at a breakfast with Daniel Priestley, I didn’t even start with “Hi, I’m Paul.”, I just gave him a hug. Because what he’s doing is that special.

Fast forward to last night.

I attended the launch of Made In RSA - and I genuinely believe this is one of the engines that will take South Africa to the world.

What started as an idea is now a solution designed to:
Open doors for SA manufacturers
Create more work in SA
Showcase the quality SA products

Truly: Made in RSA

We had the privilege of hearing from Alderman James Voss and Deputy Minister of Small Business Development, Jane Sithole, about the opportunities they’re building and how they’re supporting Made in RSA to take our products global.

Standing next to my wife, listening, I felt one thing above everything else:

Pride.

Pride in being in a room full of people who have been and will continue working tirelessly to take South Africa to the world.

The products on display were premium. The kind of products you’d be proud to see on shelves anywhere in the world.

What was I wearing?
Billy Now Clothing

It just felt like the right thing to do. 
It felt like home.

And knowing we can take that feeling of home to the world - and invite the world to come and experience South Africa... is incredible.

I finally got to meet Nick’s partner, Ross Zondagh. 
What an absolute legend.

Sometimes I have to pinch myself and ask:
How did I end up in rooms like this?

Honestly, I don’t think I did anything “special”.

I was just:
Curious
Genuinely interested
Intent on adding value and supporting where I can

That’s it.

The night kept getting better.
I bumped into Samantha Skyring from Oryx, Grant Webster, Mark Sham, and finally met Rebecca Tara Cameron in person.

Funny enough, on Monday I was chatting to Ryan Osher and we were watching a video she did. It's good, check it out. 

A few days later… there she is. In the room.

And let me tell you... that in-person connection? You cannot beat it.

Now for a bit of honesty and humility. I am terrible with names and faces.

There was a gentleman, George Gabriel , who I’ve met many times… but I just couldn’t put the name to the face. I owned up to it.

And then, I called Jason Luboyera by the wrong name.

This morning I woke up thinking, “Paul, that was not your finest moment.”
My wife agreed haha. So Jason... apologies my good man. I’m admittedly terrible with these things.

Here’s my big takeaway:

Fill your day, your time, and your headspace with things that create momentum and positive POI.

Because when we do that collectively, 
we can achieve incredible things.

Sam, looking forward to creating a solution with you for Made in RSA. Let's lock in the lunch!

It’s not “Where are the big ideas?” - it’s “Who’s turning a thirsty dog + no bowl + duct tape into a solution on a mountain at 6am?"

This morning on Lion’s Head, Dexter was panting.
Hot climb. Plenty of water.

One problem: I’d forgotten his bowl.
It's been a week ok lol

No bowl on a steep trail isn’t a “theory” 
problem - it’s a real one.

So I turned to Will Green and said,
“We’ve got to make a plan for Dexter.”

In true Will fashion, he pulled out… duct tape.

Right there on the side of the mountain:

Problem: dog needs water
Constraint: no bowl
Resource: duct tape
Action: we folded a makeshift, collapsible bowl

Water in.
Dexter drank happily.

We laughed, took a photo, and carried on.

But as I was walking, it kinda hit me:
We seriously overcomplicate innovation.

We talk about it like it has to be:
Perfect
Groundbreaking
Scalable from day one
Wrapped in the right language and logos

But often, real innovation is simpler:
A useful solution to a real problem, 
using what’s already in your hands.

No committee. No five-year plan. 
Just: “There’s a need. What can we do about it now?”

And when I zoom out from Dexter and that duct-tape bowl, I see what’s brewing in South Africa.

We’re a country of people who:
Make a plan
Test something small
Take a step with what we’ve got

You see it in things like WGW - people 
meeting people at 6am on a mountain.

You see it in platforms like Origin Stories – 
a stage we’ve brought to life to give real 
founders a voice, not just polished brand decks.

These aren’t “just events”.

They’re infrastructure for trust, 
momentum and innovation.

Ryan Jones once said, 
“Good people need to meet good people.”
Felix Spies echoed it on the hike today.

When that happens, ideas move from 
“someday” to “today”.

There was one more reminder for me: community.

I climbed with a bit of an injury. 
I wasn’t at 100%. 

Everyone stepped up - carrying Dexter, watching him, 
giving him a free Uber ride up Lion’s Head.

Community holds you when you can’t carry 
everything yourself (or every small dog).

So here’s my 2cents for today:
Innovation isn’t distant or pristine.

Sometimes it’s a duct-tape bowl on a mountain.

Sometimes it’s a group of humans who show up, 
help out and refuse to walk past real problems.

If you’re one of those people building duct-tape 
solutions in South Africa (or anywhere in Africa), 
we'd love to keep meeting you - on a mountain, 
on a stage, or right here in the comments.

Until then, be awesome and be human.

7am at Cutty Sark, Greenwich Pier.
Not a single person in sight. 

I "organised" my first London walk this week - 
Will Green Walk (London edition).

Posted about it on Wednesday. 
Great interest. I was pumped.

This morning I showed up at Cutty Sark, 7am, 
ready to lead awesome humans on a walk.

7:15. Nobody.
7:25 Still nobody.
7:30 Time to call it.

Here’s what I didn’t do:
feel sorry for myself or pack it in. I walked a bit anyway. 

And honestly? I had the best time.

Sometimes the outcome isn’t what you planned. 

Sometimes people oversleep (Emilie Blauwhoff 👀)
Sometimes the timing’s off or the location’s wrong 
(Christoff O'Kennedy - Wembley is a trek!)
And Anas Ben Mejdoub - checking in bru 😋 

AND THAT'S OK...

But here’s what I learned: you still show up.
Not for the crowd. Not for the validation. For yourself.

Because showing up builds momentum. 
It teaches you what works and what doesn’t. 
It keeps you moving even when plans change.

I’ll be back in December. I’ll pick a more central route. 
I’ll give more notice. And I’ll show up again.

Whether one person comes or twenty, I’ll be there.

LinkedIn... tell me, what’s something you kept showing up for even when nobody else did? 

Oh, to the CT crew, love the vibe this morning.
Check comments below... 

Origin Stories SOLD OUT

We backed ourselves with Origin Stories.
You backed us by showing up.
For that, I’m deeply grateful.

And this is just the beginning.

The feedback afterwards was different.

People didn’t say:
“Nice event.”

They said things like:
“I feel seen.”
“I thought I was the only one going through this.”
“I’m going to try again.”

That’s when it hit me:
We’re not just here to put on a show.
We’re here to create hope and momentum through storytelling.

For the ones who’ve already “made it”.
And for the ones who are still in the mud, trying to.

That’s what Origin Stories is:
A room where the highlight reel gets switched off and the real journey gets the mic.

To everyone who:
Stepped on stage and told the truth
Worked behind the scenes to make it happen
Sat in the audience and let these stories land

Thank you.
You’re part of something that feels bigger than an event.

Origin Stories is built on:
Truth, vulnerability, and the belief that your story might be the reason someone else doesn’t give up.

If you were in the room:
Drop some feedback in the comments 
that captures how you felt after the event.

Sold out in Cape Town.
Wide open on your screen tomorrow.

10 founders. 7 minutes each.

Zero pitches... just the real, messy, human 
journeys behind the headlines.

If you care about African entrepreneurship,
this is your night.

Expect goosebumps, laughs, hard-won lessons… and a community that shows up.

Why tune in?

Raw + honest stories (not PR)
“TED-meets-PechaKucha” pace - you won’t scroll away

Every bit of profit fuels more stories and young-entrepreneur initiatives.

ORIGIN STORIES was born on a walk down Lion’s Head with one question:
If not now, when? If not me, who?

🗓 Tomorrow - Wed 12 Nov
 🕖 18:30 for 19:00 SAST (live-stream)
 📍 Wherever you are

Bring a friend. Let’s amplify African founders to the world.

Link below - get it in your calendar.
Please share far and wide.

Think LinkedIn is saturated?
Look again. It’s starving for specifics.

Most people scroll. Few show up with intent.
A tiny fraction ships consistently.

The bar? Low.
The scale? Massive.
The competition? Thin.

Show up human and specific - 
one audience, one pain, one proof, one POV.

Do that for 10 days and you’ll outrun most feeds.

This window won’t stay open.

No idea what you're doing? 
I could help with that. Simply ask...

taplio

The Battle

Nicholas Verity

Paul Roberts

Followers

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Performance ScoreNicholas Verity's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Nicholas Verity

Paul Roberts

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Nicholas Verity's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScorePaul Roberts's LinkedIn Performance

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Performance ScoreNicholas Verity's LinkedIn Performance