Display of Ivan Soap

Ivan Products show case in Mbeya

People at work, proper cutting & trimming of soap

Proper Packing of products to ensure customer attraction

History

History of Business:
Mr Ivan Hans Kibona is the owner and the Managing Director of Ivan Products founded in 2004. The business emerged from the idea to add more value to rural produced products like Palm oil, Herbs and spices. To test his idea in 2004 the entrepreneur decided to fulfill this dream by starting a manufacturing business using locally available materials. He started by producing herbal soap in a small factory at Mbozi district, Mbeya Region in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The business started with a dream but now is in full production and is among the best natural herbal soap produced in Tanzania.

Special features of IVAN PRODUCTS.

The strength of this company is in the use of local available material to make soap and beauty products.
Managed to capture the market by advocating the use of natural beauty products.
Prime location at the heart of business area in Mwanjelwa Mbeya.
The main markets for the products are Tanzania, Zambia and Congo.
Product design and quality control is of the highest importance for the success of the company.
Specialists in this field are part of the company’s staff.
Marketing of the products abroad is ensured by the entrepreneur himself by making use of her numerous international contacts and BDG Business Club website.

BDG inputs

Ivan had very limited knowledge of managing a business, but by joining the Business Diagnostic Program was a great opportunity for him to go through series of entrepreneurial trainings, the trainings which opened his eyes to understand and know better his business, he put in to practice the trainings received and is now working in a more professional manner at a high level. The BDG grant funds received fulfilled his desires to expand and improve quality of his products by purchasing materials, packaging and computer.

Enterprise Achievements

• BDG Trainings empowered him to be a professional entrepreneurial
• Manage to register the business for a sole proprietorship
• Business expansion through grants fund received
• Improved quality of package

Links with other organizations /companies

• Continuous contact with the SIDO to more improvements.
• Local trading contacts are being established. Contacts are made through the BDG Business Club website, and SIDO TCCIA.
• The entrepreneur is founding member of the Mbeya BDG Business Club, and MASE SACCOS LIMITED

Architectural Drawings and Designs of DIL

Quality assurance: Director keep an eye at the designer work

Designer concentrates to produce a desirable work.

To win customer satisfaction DIL discusses and gives the best possible opinion to its clients

History

History of Business:
David Safari the founder and Managing Director of DIL hold a Diploma in Architectural Studies. The company emerged from the idea to help people build quality residential houses at a low cost and at available materials.
By the start of 2007 the entrepreneur decided to utilize his professional experience to concretize his ideas. The company success grew enormously after joining BDG Program and won some grants to boost the business and is now amongst the leading consultant companies in Mbeya region.

Special features of Danson Investment Ltd (DIL)

The strength of this company is to capture the market of its customers at different level of income, with much focus on middle and low income earners.
DIL is a registered Limited company with a valid license on minor Construction, Architectural, and General Repairs.
Availability of building materials at a low cost in Mbeya region gives DIL an advantage to provide their services at a competitive price.
BDG Trainings gave DIL a wide knowledge in business management and enabled to deal with its clients at all level to deal Attending BDP seminars, on how to market, how to purchase etc.
Marketing of the products abroad is ensured by the entrepreneur herself, making use of her numerous international contacts and BDG Business Club website

BDG inputs

Though the entrepreneur for years had a good business idea, but did not have a clue on how to develop a bankable business plan. The BDG programs started in time, by following the BDG Business Plan Competition and emerge amongst the ten top winners of BPC Cycle 1 he won some grants to top up the business capital. With this excellent business plan and grant funds as equity he gained the right basis to approach BDG Partner bank the NMB and obtained a loan in September 2009 of 30 M Tshs for a period of 2 years and invested the majority in the purchase of stock, perfect decorated office and purchase more machines.

Enterprise Achievements

Danson Investment duly registered as Limited liability Company
The company situated in an excellent sales environment in the heart of Mbeya commercial centre.
Refurbishment of an existing office results in an attractive office, showroom and sales outlet.
Local clients were welcomed soon after the inauguration of the office and clients’ portfolio is growing.

Links with other organizations /companies

Continuous contact with the customers
Local trading contacts are being established. International contacts are made through the BDG Business Club website, TCCIA and friends of Danson Investment Ltd.
The entrepreneur is a founding member of the BDG Business Club and member of TCCIA

Well Branded Mavuno ya Kwetu Products Peanut Butter

Roasting Peanuts!

Peanut Butter Making Machine purchased by BDG BDP Grant Funds

Preparing Rice and Other Cereals for Nutritional Flour.

Salome receiving BDG Grants on behalf of Mbeya Region at the Grants award ceremony.

History

History of Business:
The owner and Managing Director of Mavuno ya Kwetu products, Mrs. Salome Elia Kabissa has a five years working experience in food processing, after attended Basic Food Processing course offered by SIDO (Women Entrepreneurs Development) she managed to establish and run her own business. This Business emerged from the idea to add value to agricultural produce through quality improvement, branding and taste.
By the start of 2008 the entrepreneur participated with BDG program and became one of the winners of BDP in Mbeya region, she fulfilled her long time vision of strengthening and becoming the best in food processing in Mbeya.

Special features of Mavuno ya Kwetu Products.

Marketing of the products abroad is carried out by the entrepreneur herself, making use of her numerous international contacts and BDG Business Club website

The Business has built capacity and capability geared to satisfy the demand requirements.

The Business has done promotion of nutritional flour and peanut products.

Proximity to reliable source of Agricultural inputs in southern highland zone.

The owner is creative, committed and innovative manager with practical experience in marketing, production of high quality food products, finance and human resource.

BDG inputs

Though the entrepreneur had for years a good business idea, she had no clue how to develop a bankable business plan. For her the BDG program started just at time because by following the Business Plan Competition she ended by the ten top winners of BPC Cycle 1.

With her excellent business plan and grant funds as equity she gained the right basis to approach BDG Partner bank NMB. She obtained a loan in September 2009 of 30 M Tshs for a period of 2 years and invested the majority in the purchase of stock in the regions, the perfect decorated showroom and display appliances.

Enterprise Achievements

MAVUNO YA KWETU PRODUCTS is registered as a sole proprietorship company.

The company is situated in an excellent Production environment at the SIDO Industrial Estate .

The company improved production by purchasing processing machine
The company managed to brand its products with attractive labels and improved packaging.

Links with other organizations /companies

Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) – Business Development Service Providers.
Mbeya Region – TCCIA
Founder member of Mbeya BDG Business Club, MASE SACCOS, TCCIA Mbeya and SIDO Mbeya

Some of the design from kitapanda handicrafts & designer. Which is located in Sumbawanga District.

History of Business

• Business established in June 2007, dealing with designing and producing a variety of traditional handicrafts such as baskets, carpets, etc.
• A small show room was established in Sumbawanga town after training and loan assistance from SIDO, enabling to establish and develop the business.
• The business expanded considerably in 2009 after joining after following the BDG Business Skills Development system and investing BDG grants as seed capital in the business.

Special features of Makukwe enterprise

Our business is adding value on existing and newly developed handcraft objects which are produced in the rural Sumbawanga areas. In order to ensure a steady supply of quality products the formation of a handcraft groups is a necessity and the speciality of the company.

Due to the introduction of this quality management system is Kitapanda Handicrafts in the unique position to ensure the highest product quality and timely delivery.

The strength of Kitapanda Handicrafts Designer shows in its name. Design products can be produced on order in cooperation with the designer.

International marketing of products is handled by the entrepreneur herself, making use of numerous international contacts and BDG Business Clubs website.

BDG inputs

• The entrepreneur participated in four one-day BDP training sessions. The BDG contributed strongly to the development of this business by provision of entrepreneurship and business skills training, business formalization, and confrontation with other entrepreneurs in similar conditions, which resulted in establishment of the Rukwa BDG Business Club.
• The BDG grant has been invested in the business and a bank loan is presently negotiated.

Enterprise Achievements

• Kitapanda Handicraft Designer has changed from an informal to a registered sole proprietorship business,
• The business is paying government taxes and other local levies
• Nowadays the business is situated in an excellent sales environment in the heart of Sumbawanga commercial center.
• More customers are making enquiries for special products and crafts.
• Sales via BDG Business Clubs website has started up.

Links with other organizations /companies

Local trading contacts have been established through word of mouth and vividly visible displays in the region. Additional contacts are made through the BDG Business Club website, SIDO, TCCIA and friends of “Kitapanda Handicraft Designer”. The Entrepreneur is founding member of the Rukwa BDG Business Club.

Mrs. Mariam Hussein Mwalimu, posse for picture at her shop during the visit of BDG Expert in Mtwara. Here are some of her product as a day before she sold product worth 300,000Tsh.

History of Business

Makukwe Enterprises is an food processing company established in Mtwara & Lindi regions of Tanzania. Only 5 years ago the owner was a peasant farmer in Mkangala village, surviving on petty selling of buns to school children.

At that time, as an informal business, her marketing strategy involved hawking products in offices, retail shops and surrounding homes in Mkangala. She covered 15kms per day to search for customers, carrying her products on her back. Most of the products were sold on credit, to be paid at end of the month. Average monthly income averaged 100,000 Tshs. However, often there were bad debts, as often clients were not in the position to pay for her products.

Special features of Makukwe enterprise

Only a short while ago the entrepreneur managed a “informal business” which she started after completion of a SIDO food processing training in 2005. After this training she moved to the Mtwara Municipality as she could not find sufficient demand for her products within the Mkangala village.

Since 2005 she was trained to implement the technical part of the job, but had no idea how to set up a real business till she graduated from the competitive Business Skills Development BDG program in July 2009.

Entrepreneur Mariam H. Mwalimu now says: “Kabla hujafa Hujaumbika” All thanks goes to the BDG Program!

Proudly she announces her enterprise to be “specialised in food processing products in Mtwara/Lindi regions”. She is convinced that, with a little support from BDG partners, she becomes a player on the East Africa Market.

Hardly she can believe the effects of her products which are now bearing the business logo, as she regularly receives phone calls as far as from Nairobi and Kampala. Suddenly she realizes her language shortcomings as she cannot communicate efficiently in English to her potential customers. Consequently, she already started attending English lessons.

Tackling one opportunity after the other shows the real entrepreneurial spirit. BDG encourages such initiatives!

BDG inputs

In July 2009 the entrepreneur completed the BDP component of the BDG Program. She won all four BDP terms and received a grant of 4,,800,000 Tshs, which she invested in equipment, enabling her to produce quality products and reduce production costs. She also invested in packaging systems / materials and printed labels bearing the business name: “Makukwe Enterprises” Business premises were obtained and 4 employees engaged.

Operating from Makukwe Enterprises business premises tripled revenues. These gains should also be compared with regard to time and efforts spent, while covering enormous distances by foot with her products on her back, during the previous “Informal Business” situation.

Enterprise Achievements

The Entrepreneur completed BDG training in July 2009 and as a result a business Bank Account was opened, business formally registered, a Trade License was obtained and the business operates from a physical business address, keeps accounts and now “Makukwe Enterprises”, is specialized in processing of cashew and peanuts into cashew and peanut nut butter. Makukwe Enterprises also produces fruit wines and cassava flour.

Links with other organizations /companies

Mtwara BDG Business Club founding member and strong ties with SIDO

The three BDG BC partners at ease in their comfortable office at "Private Sector House" adjacent to the Dar es Salaam Business Centre (DBC)

History of Business

The three partners of BDG Consult, all possessing vast divergent experiences and backgrounds, decided to bundle their forces and establish the law company BDG Consult, which was duly registered in August 2009.

Mr. Jambo was trained at Dar es Salaam University Law School and worked with ZAIN as Legal and Regulatory Manager. His experience is in Business and Corporate Law in Tanzania. Mr. Mambo was trained at Makerere University Law School of Uganda. Additionally he obtained an LLM from Groningen University in the Netherlands in 2004. He is presently enrolled as advocate of all courts of Judicature in both Uganda and Tanzania. He was legal advisor to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning since January 2001 before he joined BDG Consult.

Special features of BDG Consult

The main focus of BDG Consult is on corporate and business facilitation through provision of legal services. The company belongs to the first one of the BDG participants who actively participates in Business Club program of the BDG by providing short term courses to BDG clients in the field of enterprise related legal matters. It is expected that these training activities will yield consultancy assignments. BDG Consult participates in the Pro-Bono Scheme of the Tanzanian Bar Association (legal services are provided free of charge for those who cannot afford the full fee).

A special feature is enclosed in the adage of the three young business partners. They strongly believe in their endeavors to create employment rather than to look for it.

BDG inputs

The background and motivation of these participants was such that already by the first contact with the BDG their Business Plan was in an advanced stage. However, they realized that they were not in the position to complete their plan on their own and decided to join the BDG BPC program.

First contact with the BDG was made in January 2009. Eight months of participating with the BPC program were sufficient to present a bankable Business Plan to the NMB at the moment of graduation, resulting in obtaining a loan of 50 M. Tshs. in September 2009 for a period of 2 years.

Enterprise Achievements

BDG Consult is a recognized law firm by the Tanzanian Bar Association

The company is situated in an excellent office environment, adjacent to the Dar es Salaam Business Centre, fully furnished and equipped.

Since the start of BDG Consult the company worked continuously on the enhancement of its market. Meanwhile the company has a portfolio of 10 clients, others are in the pipeline.

Due to the growing number of clients the company enrolled two legal assistants who are full time employed.

An excellent webpage is shown with monthly updated achievements of the company on the BDG Web Portal: businessclub.bdgtpsf/bdgconsult.

Links with other organizations /companies

Membership of the Tanzanian Bar Association

Partnerships with law firms in Uganda, Burundi and presently in negotiations with other law firms in Kenya and Rwanda to build a network in the region in order to tap into the FDIs directly through these partnerships, and also form a strong basis for competing for international and local markets.

  Number of Staff: 5 Entrepreneurs: Mrs. Habari Core Business: Procurement and sales of handicrafts products Address: Handicrafts building, adjacent to Exim Bank.
P.O. Box 12345  Dar es Salaam Telephone Fax: – email: – web site: BDGbusinessclubs.bdgtpsf.com/tanzanianheritage  

Tanzanian Heritage objects, crafted in the rural areas with love, care and endless patience

The trade is on!

Reception and entree of the Tanzanian Heritage showroom

Precious bangles, necklaces and earrings designed according thousands years of Tanzanian traditions.

History

History of Business:
The owner and Managing Director of Tanzanian Heritage, Mrs. Habari is a B/COM graduate in management studies and hold a partial Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She worked in the Public Investment and External Finance Office as an advisor in accounting matters.

This company emerged from the idea to add more value to rural produced handicraft products trough quality improvement, timely delivery and setting up logistics for international markets.

By the start of 2009 the entrepreneur decided to utilize her professional experience to concretize her ideas and prepared her Tanzanian Heritage business plan with the BDG program. Since October 2009 she fulfills her long time vision of starting a business for herself.

Special features of Tanzanian Heritage

The strength of this company is adding value on existing and newly developed handicraft objects which are produced in the rural areas of Tanzania.
In order to ensure a steady supply of quality products the formation of handicraft associations is prerequisite. It belongs to the tasks of Tanzanian Heritage to form these associations and ensure product quality and timely delivery through these self created organizations.
Due to the fact that the Tanzania Heritage works with organized suppliers it is in the exclusive position to deliver not only to the local, but also to penetrate international markets.
Because the main consumer markets for these type of products are in the western world, product design and quality control is of the highest importance for the success of the company. Specialists in this field are part of the company’s staff.
Marketing of the products abroad is ensured by the entrepreneur herself, making use of her numerous international contacts and BDG Business Club website

BDG inputs

Though the entrepreneur had for years a good business idea, she had no clue how to develop a bankable business plan. For her the BDG program started just at time because by following the Business Plan Competition she ended by the ten top winners of BPC Cycle 1.

With her excellent business plan and grant funds as equity she gained the right basis to approach BDG Partner bank NMB. She obtained a loan in September 2009 of 30 M Tshs for a period of 2 years and invested the majority in the purchase of stock in the regions, the perfect decorated showroom and display appliances.

Enterprise Achievements

Tanzanian Heritage duly registered as a sole proprietorship company.

The company situated in an excellent sales environment in the heart of Dar es Salaam commercial centre.

Refurbishment of an existing shop results in an attractive office, showroom and sales outlet.

Local clients were welcomed soon after the inauguration of the showroom and international clients portfolio abroad is growing.

Formation of handicraft associations by the owner resulted in a series of quality objects which are on display in the showroom and available in stock. Special items can be ordered on command.

Links with other organizations /companies

Continuous contact with the handicraft organizations in the rural areas which the owner herself facilitates to organize.

Local trading contacts are being established through Tanzanian tourist agencies. International contacts are made through the BDG Business Club website, TCCIA and friends of Tanzanian Heritage abroad.

The entrepreneur is founding member of the BDG Business Club and member of TCCIA.