Full Name: Lufuno Rasoesoe

Position and Company Name: Founder and MD of Lajoya Holdings, trading as TOSH Detergents

Main Activity of the Company: Manufacture and supply of cleaning detergents

Date and Place of Birth: September 26, 1988, Baragwanath Hospital, Soweto, Johannesburg

Schools and Tertiary Education: Tshikevha Christian Primary School and Tshivhase Secondary School, both in Limpopo; Diploma in Mineral Surveying, University of South Africa; BTech (Mineral Resource Management), University of Johannesburg

First Job: Traffic officer at the Tshwane Metropolitan Police Department

Size of First Pay Packet: R10 500 a month

Career Path to Date: Building surveyor at the City of Tshwane from 2018 to 2022 and MD of TOSH Detergents since 2022

Number of People under Your Leadership: 15 people, comprising ten in manufacturing and five women villagers who harvest the plants we use in our manufacturing process

Management Style: People-centric and supportive. I emphasise a psychologically safe environment where employees can express concerns directly or through suggestion boxes. My open-door policy ensures that team members feel heard and valued

Personal Best Achievement: Winning Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa’s ‘More Than a Woman’ challenge, which celebrates female innovators whose work redefines success and drives community impact

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Life: My mother, who embodies resilience, kindness and unwavering determination – traits that I deeply admire and strive to emulate

Person Who Has Had the Biggest Influence on Your Career: My senior pastor, Edgar Neluvhalani, whose leadership and teachings completely transformed my thinking. Before I met him, I subscribed to the conventional path of life, believing one was simply born to go to school, graduate and work. Through his powerful sermons, I gained a deeper understanding of purpose. He taught me that God has placed a unique gift within each of us – a gift that must be unleashed to fulfill our true potential

Person You Would Most Like to Meet: Ibukun Awosika, a phenomenal business leader, entrepreneur and trailblazer who has broken barriers and set an incredible example, especially for women in business

Businessperson Who Has Impressed You Most: Portia Mngomezulu, the founder of Portia M. I have followed her journey closely and watched her grow her business from a small startup into a successful mainstream brand

Philosophy of Life: My philosophy of life is rooted in empowerment, sustainability and creating meaningful impact. I believe in lifting others up as I grow, fostering opportunities for people to thrive and achieve their potential

Biggest Ever Opportunity: Getting our products listed in leading retail stores. This milestone was a game-changer not only for the business but also for the people around me. It gave TOSH Detergents the platform to scale and reach a wider market, while opening doors for growth and recognition. More importantly, this opportunity allowed me to fulfill a greater purpose – creating jobs and impacting lives

Biggest Ever Disappointment: My biggest ever disappointment was experiencing setbacks when I first attempted to scale the business. Despite my hard work and determination, I faced challenges and rejection that delayed progress and growth. However, this disappointment taught me invaluable lessons; it pushed me to approach challenges with a new mindset: adapt and persevere. Looking back, those setbacks were not failures but stepping stones that strengthened me as an entrepreneur and prepared me for greater opportunities

Hope For the Future: To list my company on the JSE and have it recognised as a mainstream business that stands the test of time. I envision TOSH Detergents growing into a household name, a brand that not only thrives in the present but continues to flourish from generation to generation

Favourite Reading: Currently, The Diary of a CEO. My physiotherapist recommended this book to me after I injured my ankle following my personal best record in a 21 km run. It was an emotionally tough time, and this book strengthened me and gave me renewed hope

Favourite TV Programme: I don’t watch TV but love listening to podcasts

Favourite Food/Drink: Give me a lamb-shank any day with a Zesty ginger freeze or simply a glass of cold, sparkling water

Favourite Music: International gospel

Favourite Sport: Indoor cycling and road running

Car: I would love to drive a Rover Sport SV Edition 2

Pets: None, but I would love to keep fish

Miscellaneous Dislikes: Clubs and loud places

Married: To Cliff Rasoesoe

Children: Joy, 10; Latoya, 7