By Matṧeliso Phulane
‘Mamokhaoli Florence Phakoe who is famously known as Floh is a young Mosotho girl who did not allow financial distress and anxiety issues take over her life but came up with a great idea of starting her own ginger beverage to sell.
In an interview with theReporter, Phakoe said after a long stay at home due to adverse financial problems that hampered her from completing her engineering studies at the Lerotholi Polytechnic, she had to find something to occupy her mind with.
“Ginger zest came to me as an idea to keep me busy, survive and save up for school,” Phakoe said.
She remembered that her Ginger zest business began in October 2020, while she was going through social media platform. She then bumped into a ginger drink recipe about which she researched while also obtaining some business clues from her friends.
“I tried it and decided to enhance its flavours with zesty juices to come up with something unique. It tasted amazing so I decided to share the taste with other people through bottling it and giving it a longer shelf life.
“I started supplying it around Maseru city by selling from one office to another in the morning during weekdays. After realizing how people loved it, I supplied retailers and food outlets so that my customers could get it easily, “she added.
The 24 year-old entrepreneur was born and bred in Baroeng, in the Botha- Bothe district. She has been working alone up to this far, but hopes to supply it in larger quantities to create job opportunities for unemployed Basotho.
However, she outlined some of the challenges in her business as being lack of funds to buy packaging and ingredients so that she can supply more retails. One more challenge is that, soft drink business is seasonal as the demand declines during cold season.
In spite of that, there is still growth in her business because in a month she sells at least five cases of 12 bottles costing M120 each, which fetches M 600. The amount of sales depends on the demand.
Floh highlighted that being an entrepreneur is very challenging “therefore people should have commitment to soldier on.”
She believed: “Networking and research are very important in business and it has to start smaller until it accumulates. Whatever you can sell now, passionately and be disciplined with the turnover. Do not just start a business, have a goal,” she wrapped up.
Ginger Zest is available in Botha-Bothe at Anita Meat Suppliers, Leribe at Minute Eats, The Roxy Car Wash and Maseru at Esther Club, Blue Point Café and Fafatsa Café.
People can also order supplies for own events, feasts and funerals on her mobile number +266- 57251030 or email at phakoemamokhaoli@gmail.com
