Natacha Musunda Ikinda Nkolo: From exotic fruit to passion

GABON

Natacha Musunda Ikinda Nkolo has a faith that moves mountains. A few months ago, the 34-year-old launched her online fruit products distribution shop. Today, she is at the head of a small start-up that is multiplying deliveries. Sure of herself, she is betting everything on the surge in the consumption of organic products in Africa. Artiaf wanted to know more about the success of this young entrepreneur.

It was in March 2017, after several years spent in France for her studies, that Natacha decided to realize her project of distribution of various products made from fruit and at a lower cost. The brave businesswoman's ambition is to democratize the consumption of fruits and vegetables in her country and offer as many people as possible the opportunity to eat fruit regularly. She considers that fruit prices are still quite expensive while it is vital for each person to consume at least three to five fruits and vegetables per day.

It thus becomes one of the pioneers of the personalized distribution of fruit in all its forms in Libreville, the capital of the Gabonese Republic. On the menu, there are fruit salads, fruit platters, fruit baskets and in preparation, natural fruit juices without added sugars.

Natacha has therefore succeeded in her unique challenge. That of undertaking in the awareness and local distribution of fruits and vegetables, gradually establishing itself not only in nutritional care but also in the fruit products segment.

But how did it get here?

It was while she was a simple law student in France, notably at the University of Paris XIII and the School of Notariat of Amiens, that Natacha fell in love with the fruit. Indeed, one evening, the young student is invited to dinner in a Parisian specialized restaurant: the "Paradis du fruit". Love at first sight knocks her out when she discovers a menu made up of 100% fruit-based dishes. That's when he came up with the idea of replicating this model once he returned home. She swears love and fidelity to the fruit.

No sooner said than done. Back in Gabon, Natacha dreams of a career in the legal profession as a lawyer or notary. But things don't go as planned. Instead, invisible hands led her to the Ministry of Economy and Foresight, where she worked as an executive. Immediately, the machine is set in motion. His desire to be able to realize himself differently through his passion led him to implement his project. She opens her shop called "Tacha's Exotic Fruit Paradise".

Still, she is aware that things won't be easy without money to grow her business. Nevertheless, she can count on her own determination, her communication skills, her speaking skills but above all on the unwavering support of her family and her partner.

After a brief market study, she took the plunge, activated an interactive communication plan and invested in social networks where she took the pseudonym Tasha Moesha. Day after day, she presents her products, encourages the public to eat more fruit while presenting the benefits of fruit in the body. The reactions of Internet users who adhere to this formula are not long in coming. The success is indisputable. Orders are pouring in from all sides. Natacha is quickly overwhelmed, so she tries to organize deliveries by involving her family members. It is no longer uncommon to see his team going door-to-door from Monday to Friday in the streets of Libreville, Akanda and Owendo.

What is the mid-term assessment?

Natasha is happy. She succeeded. Financially, she is more than satisfied. It recently launched its customer loyalty plan, which allows it to optimize its deliveries. But this success represents the tree that hides the forest. Indeed, big challenges are emerging every day on the horizon, especially because of the ever-increasing price of fruit. Also, for her, it is now so much to open a real restaurant like the one in Paris while doing home delivery. Logistical problems are also present. It needs scooters in order to significantly reduce the waiting time for customers to make deliveries. It is crucial to deal with the problem of traffic jams and adherence to schedules. However, all this represents a lot of money in terms of investment.

Nevertheless, Natacha remains hopeful that all her prospects will come true. Because, according to her, "When we have faith in God, no one can be against us." A great dreamer, she dreams of a Gabon where everyone eats fruits and vegetables and plans to open branches of her restaurant in the country's main cities. Finally, she strongly encourages Gabonese youth to embark on entrepreneurship. This is the only guarantee of Gabon's true development.

The Editorial Board

Article first published on Artiaf on March 13, 2018