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Name: Nadia Moolman

Business: Nanuki

Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Industry: Food & Beverage

Reason for starting? As a mom of two, I was searching for products that I could give my kids that would be suitable for school, add to their nutritional intakes and be free from allergens and preservatives. The products I found on the market were not to my two year old’s taste, or mine, and many were imported or contained nuts. As a trained chef and avid baker, I formulated recipes that my kids loved, had it nutritionally analyzed and then started to produce and introduce to the market.

Related: Read about another foodie entrepreneur here. 

How do you define success? Success is when you can make a change in people’s lives, be it creating a job, teaching a skill or providing something that was needed our daily lives. It’s making today better than yesterday for someone.

Biggest success: My greatest success, apart from the fact that my kids love my products, is the overwhelming response and positive feedback I have received. After doing tastings with toddlers, it’s rewarding to hear them tell their mother about the chocolate they had today at school. I would like to change people’s perceptions of how they think they should eat. I would like to communicate that healthy food can still taste amazing.

What is your top challenge and how you have addressed it? It’s hard starting a business when you have two small children. They require much of your time and energy, and when they miss you or have a fever or tummy ache, you need to put the business aside for a little while and take care of your real baby instead of your business baby. I have learnt many life lessons by living and working abroad and working with many people from all over the world. These people and their stories inspire ideas and dreams and made me realize all the great opportunities we have in this country.

Related: 5 Crowdfunders to Watch – Writing, Dancing, Sowing Seeds

Who is your most important role model? I look up to so many South African women entrepreneurs who have successfully started, grown and managed great food and consumer businesses. Ina Paarman and Sally Williams have been inspirations, but I have to admit that my mother is a great role model as a person and entrepreneur.

[box_light]Website   www.nanuki.co.za[/box_light]

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Edited by The Story Exchange