Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anaïs Ratsimivony, Co-Founder of Vaniala Madagascar, located in Tananarive, Madagascar, Africa.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Vaniala is a laboratory that manufactures natural products from essential oils and medicinal plants, mostly issued from Madagascar’s flora. We carefully formulate, create and innovate our products according to the needs of our consumers to offer them the best.
We create a wide range of products (body, facial, and hair care, as well as well-being products) that are suitable for everyone. We have a large community of customers who are to alternative and natural medicine. Those who care about their health and wellness through natural products. Each member of the family can surely find a product that suits them well.
Tell us about yourself
I come from a family of doctors. My grandfather is a surgeon, my dad is a psychologist and a naturopath specializing in Malagasy plants, and my mom is a pharmacist. Long story short, I’ve lived in an environment where health is important with natural solutions as much as possible.
I then started this business with my sister after returning from my studies abroad. This is actually something we (in the family) consume ourselves on a daily basis, so it was like destiny for us to do this business. I am convinced of the healing power of natural products, and Madagascar is abundant in natural resources.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
As a business owner, my biggest accomplishment today is for my brand to be nationally recognized. But I aim to extend it internationally. I really would like to share the incredible Malagasy’s natural resources and their benefits with the rest of the world. That is why I get up every morning and do my best to value the wealth we have in my country.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
As far as I am concerned, the part of human resources is the hardest thing that comes with owning a business. It is not always easy to deal with different personalities every day. Some people are extremely easygoing. They share your values and vision. But on the other hand, some are very effective in their job but not that easy to manage.
I work with more than a hundred collaborators, and being the business owner sometimes means managing conflicts between them. It’s like kids, actually. But well, just like in any family, kids have their own personalities, and it doesn’t prevent the work from being done. As a business owner, I just try my best to be a good parent.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Believe in your project and your dreams, and believe in yourself.
- Have a clear vision of it.
- Persevere, no matter what. It gets difficult on the way, but every time you face a failure and get up, it becomes a learning experience and a little victory to add to your entrepreneurial journey.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://vaniala-naturalspa.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vaniala.centre/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vaniala.naturalspa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/vanialaspa
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vaniala-naturalspa/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/anaïs-ratsimivony-0b54a3222/
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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