Meet the entrepreneur: Florina

Florina completed the set for our first recipients of CHEF Funding in Lesotho. She lost her job at the embassy during the pandemic and had been making food and knocking door to door to sell it throughout her village and at taxi ranks. She now has a stand based in town so that she can sell from a set location. This includes the cooking equipment, gazebo, cool boxes and initial stock items that helped start her street food business. We caught up with Florina to hear more about life since the business was able to find its feet.

Has opening the business made a difference to your life, how?

This business indeed made a huge different because now I’m no more stressed and can do
what I couldn’t do before and put regular food on the table.

Why did you choose this business to open?

I chose this business because as a chef I was challenged without a job  

Are you struggling less, now you have your own business?

Yes now I’m struggling less because even though is not long ago when I started this
business, little by little I put food on the table.

What is the best part about being a business owner?

The best part of being a business owner is that now I have job after losing of my job at the
American Embassy in 2019.  

How has opening the business helped you and your living situation?

This business helped me a lot in my life because I couldn’t pay school fees for my children
from 2020 and 2021 which was M3400, but now no more – Thank you.

How has it been since you opened your business?

Since I started this business it has been little bit tough because I can’t manage to buy big
stock I sell and buy each day so it’s challenging a lot.

Are you happy with the way your business is going?

For the moment I’m happy expect this struggling of (goods) stock.

What are your next business goals?

My next  business goal is to achieve a level where I can be able to give job to other
people.

This business indeed made a huge different because now I’m no more stressed and can do what I couldn’t do before and put regular food on the table.

Florina – CHEF Funding recipient.