Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Tafara Shuro, CEO of Qobo Qobo Essential Oils, located in East London, Eastern Cape, South Africa.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business produces rosemary, rose geranium, lavandin, peppermint essential oils, and dried herbs. Our customers are mostly the international market US, India, France, and greater European countries. We also have a small emerging market in South Africa for smaller 10ml bottles.
Tell us about yourself
I had always had a keen interest in business from when I was young. My parents were a great motivation as they were involved in different businesses; this really inspired me to get into business. The business I am currently involved with facilitates the entrance of emerging farmers into essential oils agriculture in a disadvantaged area in South Africa. This motivates me to work harder to create and maintain sustainable a business and jobs. The impact we have made in the last few years in the community provides daily motivation to keep on going.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I am the CEO, not the owner of the business. However, my biggest achievement is playing a key role in growing the business from 2 farmers with 10 hectares to 60 hectares and 8 farmers in total. We have also managed to tap into the international for our dried herbs. This is really a great achievement that will eventfully see the business become profitable for the farmers and the hub.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Cashflow management in agricultural production and processing is not easy. Turnaround periods for sales are often very long, sometimes 90 days for exports. This is a very challenging process to juggle successfully. We are a social enterprise tasked with managing the entrepreneurial side and the social needs of the community we work in. As a result, running our business very is challenging in terms of managing the needs of the community and being profitable. The challenges and difficulties faced by social enterprises are not the same as those faced by a normal for-profit business. The social is just as important as the profit, and this makes it, in most cases, very difficult for us to run our business and more expensive.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Research as much as you can. This will reduce the failure rate.
- Know your market and be honest with your capabilities in terms of what you are able to produce. Do not oversell, then fail to deliver on the promise.
- Start. An idea remains an idea until it's tested. Whether one fails or succeeds, there are still lessons to be learned that are valuable to any serious entrepreneur.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://qoboqobo.co.za/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qoboqobooils/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qoboqobooils/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TafaraRShuro
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/qobo-qobo-essential-oils/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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