08/01/2025
Happy New Year Everyone!
This year I will be starting a portrait interview series of local entrepreneurs I find interesting/inspiring...I'm still deciding on name for the series but let me introduce to Becky from Jah in the meantime:
Q: Hi Becky, tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: I am an introverted, risk-taking adventurer. I love selling, teaching, and living naturally. I ride horses, cook, and enjoy dancing. I am from the United Kingdom and came to Africa seven years ago.
In the United Kingdom, I was a city girl with a career in the music business, and I lived and worked in London. However, I aspired to live differently (since childhood) and dreamed of the African Bush.
At thirty-two years old, I was clear about moving to Africa because my music business career was stressful instead of joyful. I thought, what now? Could I do something else? I had a lot of fear despite my desire. I have always believed in following dreams and that there is time to start and try something new. The security of my London life kept me from pursuing Africa and the bush, and I was nervous despite wanting to move. Regardless, I pursued Africa, and my love of horses, nature, and the bush led me to become an equestrian safari guide in Kenya, South Africa and Eswatini, and I have done it for over five years.
I became interested in food because my mum was an incredible cook. From an early age, I wanted her to open a restaurant, and I gravitated to the kitchen because of her. In my twenties, I dreamed of opening a food stall at markets and festivals in the United Kingdom. I now live in Eswatini and have launched Jah Food & Kitchen.
Q: What is Jah all about?
A: Jah Food & Kitchen's inspiration came from an autoimmune disease I had that doctors said I would—for the rest of my life—need medication for. However, ten years into my diagnosis, I decided to lead my body and change my eating. In a year, I healed myself. From then on, I wanted to share my story through food. I am sharing my knowledge of anti-inflammatory whole foods and encouraging others.
Jah means God in Rastafarian. I believe God is in energy and part of us. It is our soul and strength. We can choose our food, and what we put in our bodies, and Jah Food & Kitchen feeds our souls with health, joy, and wholeness. At the moment we specialize in Bone Broth, Macadamia products, and Tahini. Starting in 2025, we will launch a delivery service with lunch and dinner options. Since its founding in 2023, I have fed customers at Luju and Bushfire, and I am excited to grow.
Q: What have you learned so far about starting a small business in Eswatini?
A: Eswatini is not somewhere I saw myself starting. However, countless local small businesses with creative, enthusiastic leaders inspired me. I realized that word of mouth and attending as many events and sales affairs as possible were vital. I am always open to collaborating with passionate people, which helps me and has a knock-on effect. Things take time; however, I love the process, which is vital to any small business.
Q: Do you have any advice for other young entrepreneurs?
A: Start small. It begins with one. Be prepared to fail; pivot and move on if it does not work. Give yourself time to think. Do not compete with people and do not focus on the outcome; life is a journey of unexpected events that arise because they are part of your story. If what you do is unenjoyable, stop. You are not learning if what you are doing is not challenging; if you are not learning, you are stuck. I have been stuck countless times in business and life and had to move, change, and start over. If you have a big vision, use small plans as stepping stones. Sometimes, they will seem illogical, but trust your gut and know that if you are forcing something, then it is wrong. I envisioned owning a business within ten years of leaving the United Kingdom, and it would be in hospitality, food, and ecotourism. However, despite seven years into Africa and owning Jah Food & Kitchen, I am still exploring. I have opened another business, Immerse Wellness & Retreats, with an Eswatini friend on top of Jah. Everything evolves and focuses when you embrace the journey. The key is to do it.
END
(If you have an interesting start up story to share please feel free to inbox me)
