by Yolanda Matine
When I decided that I was turning my gift (cooking) into a business, every social media page I navigated into started showing me how the world of lunchboxes is so advanced in other places beyond Mozambique where we only have one well-referenced brand.
As an aspiring entrepreneur, I have always believed in the power of taking risks and seizing opportunities right away (My Start-Up story on this platform can testify). This belief was put to the test when I decided to reach out to world-class brands in the lunch box industry to represent their products in Mozambique.
The idea came to me when I realized the potential for growth in the lunch box market. With some of the restrictions that Covid brought, and some schools limiting their catering capacities as well as a growing trend towards healthier eating habits, I saw an opportunity to introduce a variety of high-quality lunch boxes and accessories to meet the diverse needs of consumers and even motivate fussy eaters to try new flavours.
However, the self-sabotage button was armed, and an ugly conversation started in my mind: “You are just starting, no one would want to work with you! Do you even know what you want to say to these brands? Worse using a Gmail account, please don’t make a fool of yourself”! I did shut these thoughts down with just one: “The worst that can happen is them not responding (kikiki).”
Despite the limitations of being a small-scale entrepreneur in a market dominated by a single brand, I knew that I needed to be bold and take that first step towards making my vision a reality. Armed with a well-crafted pitch highlighting the market potential and my passion for their products, I reached out to several world-class brands in the lunch box business. And guess what: they responded, and all positive feedback, recognizing the untapped market opportunity and the potential for growth, and how best we could form the partnership.
Through this experience, I learned the importance of being persistent, resilient, and confident in pursuing my entrepreneurial goals. By taking that bold step to reach out to world-class brands, I can now elevate my business to new heights and establish a strong presence in the market.
In conclusion, the key entrepreneurial traits of being bold, proactive, and taking that first step are essential in reaching new heights and achieving success in the business world. Don't be afraid to take risks and seize opportunities that come your way – you never know where they might lead you! START TODAY, WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!
Yolanda Matine is an Entrepreneur, Food Lover and Enthusiast in Mozambique. She graduated with a BSc Agronomy that she never got to practice, but always landed in jobs that somehow shaped her perspective on how she would like to make her contribution to the world and for coming generations. Her two daughters inspired and drove her towards her real passion, which is cooking, and through cooking and making their lunch boxes every day she is able to show her love for them, nourish their bodies, and touch their souls while they build precious food memories. Yolanda is a strong believer that everything we sow we are going to reap, so she says why not plant the best seed?