By: Mpho Shelile
Leribe (Hlotse) – In the bustling streets of Maseru, an entrepreneur with a vision set the foundation for a fast food business that would eventually thrive in the heart of Leribe. Mabatloung Tuoane, founder of MBR Deli Foods, has become a symbol of determination, resilience, and growth in the ever-evolving food industry.
Starting out with a passion for offering affordable, quality food products, Mabatloung’s journey has been far from easy, but her commitment to learning and adapting has paved the way for success.
MBR Deli Foods was founded in 2021 in Maseru, the capital city of Lesotho. What began as a modest food venture soon blossomed into a recognizable name known for its diverse offerings, including dry fruits like Mangangajane, processed foods, and fast food. Despite her ambition, Mabatloung faced several challenges common to many entrepreneurs in the early stages of business.
In late 2022, MBR Deli Foods made a bold decision to relocate to Leribe, a move that would better position the business to reach a wider audience. “Moving to Leribe opened up new opportunities for us. It was a strategic decision to be closer to a larger consumer base and to tap into new markets that weren’t yet saturated,” Mabatloung explains.
Since the move, MBR Deli Foods has experienced a steady increase in demand for its products, and the relocation has proven to be a turning point for the company’s growth.
“The journey has not been without its struggles,” Mabatloung shares. “As any startup, we were confronted with multiple obstacles, from finding the right market and understanding customer preferences to meeting sales targets while ensuring competitive pricing.”
The challenges Mabatloung faced in the initial stages were not unfamiliar to many small business owners. One of her biggest hurdles was finding the right market for her products. “In the beginning, we weren’t sure if the community would embrace our product offerings, and we weren’t clear on how to position ourselves in the market,” she explains. “It took a lot of trial and error to figure out which products would resonate with customers.”
In addition to this, Mabatloung struggled with setting reasonable prices that would allow the business to grow while still being affordable to the target market. “Pricing was tricky,” she says. “I had to make sure our products were reasonably priced, but I also needed to keep up with the costs of production and distribution.”
Looking ahead, Mabatloung has big plans for MBR Deli Foods. “We want to expand our product range even further, introduce more healthy food options, and eventually grow our presence beyond Leribe and Maseru,” she says with a smile.
Despite these early setbacks, Mabatloung was determined not to give up. She will rely on the education she got from BAM Group Foundation and Finite Magazine’s business seminars to guide her on the path to success.
“I learned how to properly budget and avoid overspending,” she says. “Before, I had trouble balancing the books, but now I know that I need to keep track of expenses and income more efficiently.”
The seminar helped Mabatloung understand the importance of cash flow management, a crucial skill for sustaining and scaling a business. Moreover, she learned that effective marketing was a fundamental aspect of business growth. “I always knew marketing was important, but the seminar made me realize just how critical it is to get the word out about your product,” she says.