I'm Kirsty Sharman, founder of Referral Factory, referral marketing software used by thousands of businesses. I've spent 15 years treating people as a marketing channel: I started one of South Africa's first online media buying agencies, co-founded Webfluential, which became Africa's largest influencer marketing platform, and then watched the ROI on influencer content decline year after year.

I'm Kirsty Sharman, founder of Referral Factory, referral marketing software used by thousands of businesses. I've spent 15 years treating people as a marketing channel: I started one of South Africa's first online media buying agencies, co-founded Webfluential, which became Africa's largest influencer marketing platform, and then watched the ROI on influencer content decline year after year. That's what pushed me into referrals. The customers who already love you are more credible than any ad you can buy. My core argument, backed by data from thousands of live programs: a referral program doesn't create word of mouth, it captures the word of mouth you're already getting. The programs I've built have generated over 4 million leads without a cent on Google or Meta ads. Named one of the Mail & Guardian's 200 Young South Africans and Top Female Technology Entrepreneur in South Africa.