Planting edible, indigenous plants runs in the veins of Regina Kasongo.
The 62-year-old owner of African Indigenous Projects gives clients easy access to fresh vegetables from different African countries.
Kasongo said to make it in business you need to stay focused despite the challenges you may face.
Please share some background on yourself and how the business was started?
I am originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I am married with three daughters. I have lived in Port Elizabeth for more than 20 years.
While I am well-known by the Port Elizabeth community for running student accommodation I am also a crop lover and believe that getting food from the ground to your plate is morally rewarding.
I started my business to close the gap of not getting vegetables that we grew up eating in our local market.
What is your core service?
I grow crops that are not commercially or locally produced. The products are vegetables from different African countries.
What makes your business unique?
We grow edible indigenous plants that offer a great way to eat well. These plants come from different African countries and they are niche products.
If someone wanted to copy your business model, how would they start?
You will have to first secure land where you can plant and grow your crops, develop knowledge about the crops and acquire the skill of taking care of the crops you plant. After that you can move on to acquiring finances.
What are some of the biggest inhibitors your business faced before getting off the ground?
My biggest inhibitors were mainly post-harvest, because you have to act fast to move the products into the market as they are fresh and perishable.
The logistics of getting the product from the soil to our clients were a challenge.
Balancing market prices was also a challenge.
Do you have any tips for budding entrepreneurs or new business owners?
You must always gather enough information about the product you want to sell or the services you want to render. Have a time plan so that you can be accountable to yourself to make sure that you follow through with what you have planned.
What are some of your biggest challenges in day-to-day business operations and your particular industry?
We deal with fresh products that are perishable, so our biggest challenge is moving the products from point A to B without them being spoilt.
We have to always keep the products fresh from the ground until they reach our clients.
What is the best advice anyone gave you on success?
To not lose focus despite all the challenges that I will face in life.
How do you measure or define success in your business?
Getting repeat orders and the feedback I get from my clients, that’s always a success story for me.
What are some of the best practices that have made your business successful?
You have to pay attention to the needs of the client. You have to always remain humble as you deal with different clients on a daily basis.
What kind of advertising do you do?
Word of mouth has worked wonders for my business and I believe in its effectiveness. I also use WhatsApp to reach out to clients.
What is your company’s vision?
Our vision is to bring to our clients quality African crops.
What is your target market?
My target market is the local community and people who grew up eating these vegetables.
How many people do you employ?
I have 24 fulltime employees and during the harvest I employ more casuals.
Do you have any plans for expanding the business, and how would you go about this?
We would like to supply our products both locally and globally. We will be expanding production and getting more land to plant.
How did you acquire funding for the business?
I was fortunate to join ventures with a farmer who was willing to take a risk with my new crops.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learnt from your business journey so far?
I have learnt to remain focused and persistent. I have also learnt that in business you need to have a strategy and a plan.
What do you say are the three key traits of a successful entrepreneur?
Have passion for what you are doing. Remain focused. Be resilient.
What do you say are the key traits of a successful employer?
Talk to your employees. This will help you to know what is going on in your company and you will know what their needs are.
What do you wish people knew about your industry?
Getting food from the ground to your plate is morally rewarding.
HeraldLIVE