Startup Story
Teresa Kulei is the founder of NSINYA COMÉRCIO e SERVIÇOS, LDA in Mozambique. She graduated in Agronomy from the State University of Saint Petersburg-Russia and works in the agribusiness area. NSINYA was founded in 2020.
Teresa Kulei é fundadora da empresa NSINYA COMÉRCIO e SERVIÇOS, LDA(Moçambique). É formada em Agronomia pela Universidade Estatal de São Petersburgo-Rússia, e actua na área do agronegocio. A NSINYA foi fundada há dois anos.
LoA chatted to Teresa Kulei about her passion for tea and her life-changing entrepreneurial journey.
What does your company do?
The company processes balacate tea and is engaged in the sale of sweet potatoes.
A empresa processa chá balacate e se dedica na venda de batata-doce.
“As time went by, I started to like and believe in my business and, little by little, I discovered my potential for entrepreneurship.”
“Com o andar do tempo fui gostando e acreditando no meu negócio e, aos poucos fui descobrindo o meu potencial para o empreendedorismo.”
What inspired you to start your company?
I started due to lack of a job, I confess that I went in the dark because I didn't understand anything about business. But as time went by, I ended up liking it and became more informed about the world of entrepreneurship - and I'm still here today.
Comecei por falta de emprego, Confesso que fui no escuro Porque não entedia nada sobre negócio. Mas, o tempo foi passando acabei gostando e informando mais sobre o Mundo do empreendedorismo. E, estou aqui até hoje.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Well, I turned a plant, Balacate, that was already being neglected into a "Gold Mine".
Bom, eu tranformei uma planta, Balacate, que já estava a ser negligenciada em "Mina de Ouro".
“Like every entrepreneur, I also dream of seeing my company with branches spread across the country and the world. And I'm sure that in five years I will have fulfilled the dream.”
“Como todo empreendedor, sonho também em ver a minha empresa com sucursais espalhadas pelo País e pelo mundo. E, tenho certeza que daqui a Cinco anos já terei realizado o desejo.”
Tell us a little about your team
Well, so far I don't have a team, I work alone.
Bom até ao momento não tenho equipa, trabalho sozinha.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I decided to undertake this work when I lost my job in 2020 because of Covid. At first I just wanted something to occupy me and give me a little money to keep me going. But as time went by, I started to like and believe in my business and, little by little, I discovered my potential for entrepreneurship. It hasn't been easy, I really lack the financial resources that would help me take a bigger leap, but I had some small formations that helped me to have another vision about entrepreneurship.
Decidi empreender quando perdi o meu emprego em 2020 por causa da Covid. No início eu só queria algo para me ocupar e dar um pouco de dinheiro para me manter. Mas com o andar do tempo fui gostando e acreditando no meu negócio e, aos poucos fui descobrindo o meu potencial para o empreendedorismo. Não tem sido fácil, tenho muita falta de recursos financeiros que me ajudariam a dar um salto maior. Mas tive algumas pequenas formações que me ajudaram a ter uma outra visão sobre o empreendedorismo. Espero em breve melhorar a minha situação.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Like every entrepreneur, I also dream of seeing my company with branches spread across the country and the world. And I'm sure that in five years I will have fulfilled the dream.
Como todo empreendedor, sonho também em ver a minha empresa com sucursais espalhadas pelo País e pelo mundo. E, tenho certeza que daqui a Cinco anos já terei realizado o desejo.
“What gives me satisfaction is the happiness of customers when they consume my product, when they give their feedback. It fills my heart with joy and they give me strength to continue.”
“A Felicidade dos clientes quando consomem o meu produto. Quando dão os seus feedbacks o meu coraçao se enche de alegria e dão me forças para continuar.”
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The happiness of customers when they consume my product, when they give their feedback, fills my heart with joy and they give me strength to continue.
A Felicidade dos clientes quando consomem o meu produto. Quando dão os seus feedbacks o meu coraçao se enche de alegria e dão me forças para continuar.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Simply create, take the idea off paper, perfection will find you along the way. Fear always exists, but it is necessary and important to believe that it will work. And that no one will make your dreams come true for you. If you happen to feel alone along the way, stop, breathe, look at the sky and keep going. See you in the future.
Simplesmente criem, tirem do papel a ideia, a perfeiçao te encontrará pelo caminho. Medo sempre existe mas é necessario e importante acreditar de quê Vai dar certo. E que ninguém realizará seus sonhos por você. Se por acaso se sentir sozinha no meio do caminho, pare, respire, olhe para o céu e continue... Te vejo no futuro.
Contact NSINYA COMÉRCIO e SERVIÇOS, LDA
EMAIL: teresakuley69@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it…
We love hearing the stories of women entrepreneurs who created their businesses as a result of adversity, and then found their passion as a result. Teresa Kulei is one such woman, and her passion for what she does and the products she creates, shines through. She is now on a path to building a sustainable and growing business, one that will match her aspirations and dreams. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa