Startup Story
As the world becomes increasingly health conscious, so consumers are constantly on the look-out for products that will contribute to their sustainable lifestyle. In Mozambique, entrepreneur and nutritionist Sofia Pedrosa, co-founder of Mokcha, is introducing consumers to soothing and relaxing teas and natural infusions that aid health and wellbeing.
LoA met Sofia at a recent Lioness Lean In event in Mozambique to find out more.
Tell us about yourself
I am a nutritionist, founder of Natural Care and co-founder of Mokcha in Mozambique, where I have lived for more than 5 years. Through Natural Care, I conduct nutrition consultations and work with nutritional supplements in various fields. Through Mokcha, we offer a wide range of teas and natural infusions. Our focus is always to work in the area of health and nutrition, to be able to contribute to the change of healthier and more sustainable lifestyles, and to offer safe and advantageous products for the health of our customers.
“Our focus is always to work in the area of health and nutrition, to be able to contribute to the change of healthier and more sustainable lifestyles, and to offer safe and advantageous products for the health of its customers.”
What does your company do?
Mokcha has developed special tea blends that meet several objectives: be it relaxing through the effect of plants with soothing properties, or contributing to weight loss with thermogenic and diuretic plants, increasing energy level and concentration with plants that stimulate our brain function, or simply taste a different mix.
At this moment the brand sells more than 50 different products, grouped into the following categories: Mokcha ONE (plant infusions), Mokcha ORIGINALS (homemade blends), Mokcha TEATOX (detox teas), Mokcha CHATERAPIA (therapeutic infusions), Mokcha SELF CARE ( purpose natural beauty) and Mokcha MATABICHO (black tea from the Gurué region, Mozambique). Mokcha teas and infusions can be chosen for their medicinal properties and the consumer's health goal, or simply for taste and aroma.
What inspired you to start your company?
The guiding principle in creating Mokcha is to be able to contribute to a healthier lifestyle through the natural power of plants. I fully believe that the way our body feels has a big impact on well-being, and finding that balance is not always easy. In the Mozambican market, I felt a failure in relation to the offer of this type of products, in which the consumer would normally have to go abroad to obtain the teas. At a professional level, I could not rely on the recommendation of teas to treat any symptoms or clinical condition without being available in the country.
“The guiding principle in creating Mokcha is to be able to contribute to a healthier lifestyle through the natural power of plants.”
“We intend in the near future to further diversify our product range for greater consumer satisfaction, and because we want to be closer to them, we hope to open a small tea shop where anyone can buy our infusions or take tea to-go.”
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Mokcha was inspired by the homophone word of Indian origin moksha which means liberation, rebirth, enlightenment, the highest state of spiritual evolution and self-knowledge. Based on this concept, Mokcha values mixtures of functional plants that are more engaging, emotional and effective than ordinary tea bags. We trust the health benefits of natural ingredients and share the belief that human well-being comes from the harmony of the body, mind and soul. To transfer this philosophical quest to the modern day, we took on the challenge and developed products that meet this objective.
Tell us a little about your team
The Mokcha team is composed of 4 people: the co-founders, Sofia and Edwin, responsible for all technical, production, commercial, social media management and marketing; Vicente, the person responsible for deliveries, establishing new contacts / customers and helping with production; and Argentina, which helps us to clean and organize our office and warehouse. All are essential for the Mokcha project to continue and prosper.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I have always known that one day I would like to have my own business and the opportunity was revealed when I moved to another country. When I moved to Maputo in 2014, I founded Natural Care, a consulting company in Nutrition and sale of nutritional supplements. Shortly after, the tea bug came and I kept the idea in a drawer, until I met Edwin, my life and business partner. In 2018 we designed Mokcha together, and in 2019 it all started. I have no background in the commercial or business area; all i've learned so far was by putting my ideas into practice and learning from day to day.
“We dream of exporting to other countries, internationalizing the brand and representing the name of Mozambique everywhere. We developed this idea from Maputo but we want to reach the whole world.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We intend in the near future to further diversify our product range for greater consumer satisfaction, and because we want to be closer to them, we hope to open a small tea shop where anyone can buy our infusions or take tea to-go.
We dream of exporting to other countries, internationalizing the brand and representing the name of Mozambique everywhere. We developed this idea from Maputo but we want to reach the whole world.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
What gives me the most satisfaction is the freedom I have to move forward with my ideas, not to be afraid to take chances. It is to be able to know that the more I work and the more I strive, the more profit I will have, both in economic terms and in terms of personal and professional fulfillment. In addition, it is great when we have positive reviews and support from customers and people around us.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
First, choose a project that she really likes and identifies with. Second, develop a business plan: write everything about the project, the type of market where it will be held, research competing products or services, prices practiced, do a market study, etc. Sometimes it is necessary to ask for help for this and all support and external opinions are welcome, so knowing how to listen is essential. Third, think about the future. After the project is implemented and working, what next? Where to go? What do I want to achieve more? I am of the opinion that if we always have something more to achieve, if we set ourselves constant goals, the route is always more exciting and nothing monotonous.
Contact or follow Mokcha
FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | EMAIL mokchamozambique@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
At Lionesses of Africa we firmly believe that when women entrepreneurs follow their passion in business, they are more likely to achieve success, because passion drives profit. Sofia Pedrosa is a wonderful example of a woman entrepreneur who is taking her passion for tea and natural fusions and creating a brand that truly celebrates the power of plants and a healthy lifestyle. As more and more people are looking to plant-based lifestyles to ensure their wellbeing, her Mokcha brand is well placed to offer this growing conscious consumer base what they want and need. Definitely a brand to watch! — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa