When I first began researching Leafit, I wasn’t sure if I was looking at a reincarnation of 2012s vLeaf Ponzi scheme or if it was something else altogether.
Digging up the archives, I headed over to vLeaf’s old website domain (“vleaf.com”), which confirmed that these two companies were indeed one and the same:
Why the vLeaf and Leaf International branding was abandoned I have no idea, but today the company is going by the name Leafit.
One possible reason is
vLeaf’s business model
:
Building on the traditional Ponzi scheme “buy advertising and earn a ROI” model, Leaf International introduces a retail offering to the recipe, throws in some online marketing tools and pairs it with a 3×9 pyramid scheme.
That vLeaf was destined to collapse was a given, however when exactly that happened is unclear.
The Leafit website domain (“leafit.com”) was first registered way back in 2006, however the domain details were only recently updated on July 27th. This is probably a good indication of whereabouts the domain was re-purposed to begin marketing Leafit as an opportunity.
That said, the Leafit website in its current state isn’t all that helpful:
What are we about? Well, we are creating a new type of social network that helps users actually make money from their content!
By posting content socially, like people do everyday on other social networks, Leaf It users will automatically be able to earn from what they post themselves, and even from what they share from others!
Hmm.
The website Leafit affiliates are pushing, “leafit.biz” is a bit more useful, offering up some basic information about the opportunity.
One pleasant change from vLeaf is that ownership of the company is now fully disclosed. Heading up Leafit is Founder and CEO Lawrence Sowell (right).
Somewhat curiously, on his LinkedIn profile Sowell only cites involvement with Leafit beginning January 2014.
Sowell’s Twitter meanwhile reveals he was most definitely involved in vLeaf:
Sowell’s background appears to be in marketing and promotion. Before vLeaf and Leafit, Sowell launched Get2Marketing in 2007.
Taken from Sowell’s Get2Marketing corporate bio:
Lawrence’s passion for marketing and promotions began when he was 18 years old in College. Little did he know, by the age of 22 he would have done 2 musical tours and over 20 promotional events with headline names like Nelly (hip hop), Sawyer Brown (country).
Lawrence has since moved his passion to the internet where he is an expert at ad concept creation, branding strategy’s, website analysis, online and offline marketing, ad placement, and reporting.
This advertising background is probably what laid the foundation for the failed vLeaf Ponzi/pyramid hybrid attempt.
As far as MLM goes, I wasn’t able to find any involvement by Sowell on the affiliate or executive side. This indicates that vLeaf was Sowell’s first MLM venture.
Some of Sowell’s co-workers are also worth mentioning too. On
Leafit’s Fundable investor page
the company ad
🤖 Quick Answer
What is Leafit's connection to previous companies like vLeaf?Leafit represents a rebranding of vLeaf and Leaf International, companies that operated under different names but maintained the same organizational structure. The company changed its branding strategy, abandoning previous identities while continuing similar business operations involving online marketing platforms and compensation structures.
What business model does Leafit employ?
Leafit combines traditional Ponzi scheme elements—purchasing advertising packages for return on investment—with retail product offerings and online marketing tools. The compensation structure incorporates a 3×9 pyramid configuration, creating a multi-level distribution network that incentivizes recruitment alongside product sales and advertising purchases.
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