Born and raised in Rustenburg in North West, Botshelo Charmain Huma is a businesswoman excelling in the agri-processing space. She started her vegetable-processing business during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, and has not looked back since.
Like many people, Huma’s journey has seen her doing many things before she ended up in the agriculture space.
After studying at Varsity College, she travelled to the United States of America to be an au pair. Her journey eventually led her back to Mzansi, where for five years, until mid-2020, she worked in the construction industry.
Inspiration often comes out of need, and for Huma, the need was pre-cut vegetables that sped up cooking time. When she started her vegetable-packing business, Ready Chopped Veggies, it was because she was looking for a way to balance her schedule.
“I love convenience and anything that makes life easier for me. My business was birthed at a time when I just became a new mom, trying to balance working full time and being a wife, with [the added pressure] of being a good cook. I thought to myself, ‘what if there was a place where I could buy fresh veggies that are cut the way I like? Wouldn’t that make my cooking time less?’.”
The Ready Chopped Veggies journey
Huma says since she started the business two years ago, it has grown from strength to strength. She explains that what sets her vegetables apart from other pre-cut brands is the packaging.
“Our packaging allows one to use the desired amount of veggies, then reseal and refrigerate after you’ve opened it. It means you don’t have to finish the contents all at once and throw the packaging away as most retailers do with chopped veggies.”
Based in Pretoria, Ready Chopped Veggies sources produce from a few farmers local farmers.
“One of the challenges in the beginning, was finding the right suppliers who provide fresh, quality vegetables. We also didn’t have our own delivery van and cold room then and had to deal with people who would steal our work online and post is as their own.”
Despite these challenges, Huma persevered and explains that she not only draws motivation from being self-employed, but also from being a mother.
“Working for yourself is rewarding in its own right. The joy you see in your employees’ eyes when you offer them a permanent position and being able to open a physical store after a mountain of challenges, is rewarding,” she says.
“Also, my two-year-old motivates me. The excitement she shows every time she sees me keeps me going because I’m doing all of this for her. I’m building a legacy for her. It’s all to show her that anything is possible, and that she can achieve anything she puts her mind to.”
Huma’s advice for budding entrepreneurs
She shares the following tips when starting your own business:
- Do your research.
- Don’t expect hand-outs. Do the work.
- Be willing to learn, and be open to constructive criticism.
- Be different and stand out. That’s how you get noticed.
- Remember, you need to spend money to make money. So, invest in your business and take risks. One day, it will all make sense.
- Identify your niche market and go for it.
ALSO READ: Agripreneur 101: Brothers build thriving biltong brand
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