LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Bio Óleos de Miombo and Grupo Trichilia, a natural skin and hair care business celebrating Mozambique's indigenous oilseed species.
Ana Alecia Lyman, born in California and residing in Mozambique since 2005, has more than 15 years of experience as a businesswoman and consultant in the natural products sector. She is the founder and director of Bio Óleos de Miombo, a natural skin and hair care products company, providing high-quality products that highlight Mozambique's indigenous oilseed species to the national market. As a member of PhytoTrade Africa, the Natural Products Business Association of Southern Africa, she served as Vice President from 2015 to 2018, supporting the implementation of advocacy programs and initiatives in Mozambique and the region. Graduated in Public Policy from Brown University (USA), she currently works with the National Directorate of the Environment as a consultant, supporting the review of Decree 19/2007, the Regulation on Access and Sharing of Benefits derived from the use of Genetic Resources and associated Traditional Knowledge, in collaboration with a multi-sectoral technical team.
Lioness Weekender spoke to Ana Alecia Lyman to learn more about her passion for Mozambique’s Indigenous, sustainable oilseed species and her drive to create a business that helps to drive strong local economies.
What does your company do?
I am involved in several initiatives focused on the sustainable commercialization of non-timber forest products and their value addition for local and international markets. My flagship company, Bio Óleos de Miombo, has two brands: "Bio Óleos de Miombo" (“BOM”), which produces a line of natural skincare products for the local and regional market, and "MIOMBO", a highly crafted luxury product line for home and personal care.
In collaboration with fellow entrepreneur Marcia Nangy (see DATHONGA DESIGNS), we have expanded on the value chains from our company product lines, jointly establishing a new company as well as a non-profit to drive development of new natural and ethical value chains from community through to consumer-ready products. Our joint venture company, BIOTHONGA, produces sustainable, mixed-media homewares with recycled glass, recovered timber, fiber and ceramics, as well as a clothing line.
We established ASSOCIAÇÃO KHETHU as an arts and culture non-profit to drive and expand the community development-type work our companies were already engaged in, and also to support the importance of craft and craft traditions as significant economic drivers for rural communities.
What inspired you to start your company?
I have always been inspired by how under-utilized resources, whether natural or man-made, could become economic drivers. Here in Mozambique, I found that many forest resources had tremendous potential for industry application but were in jeopardy because of the various factors contributing to deforestation. I believe that ethical trade and benefit sharing with the communities who are the owners of the resources can be a powerful win-win, generating real income and incentivizing locally driven investment in the health of the landscape. I did not find enough examples of this here in Mozambique, so I was inspired to build a company that could model my hope and vision for that win-win.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Our products represent real treasures from Mozambique’s landscape. The oilseeds and plant extracts that we work with have been known and celebrated for generations; our work has been to capture their unique characteristics in new and innovative products. Our hair products have been developed with a local salon specializing in natural hair care; we are really excited about how they have been received thus far.
One of the most exciting parts of my work has been consulting on the development of new forest-based value chains. I have been able to bring my on-the-ground experience and professional network to help craft strategic plans for linking new areas, resources and communities to value-addition strategies and markets. These opportunities have been inspiring, as they have taken me to new areas and prompted me to launch into new research.
Tell us a little about your team:
My team begins with the wonderful women in our production staff and our logistics technician. But it really extends outward to my partners in the Tofo Collective, where we are collaborating on new marketing initiatives and strengthening production processes, as well as establishing a production hub for a family of handmade brands in the beautiful village of Tofo. Salão Afrocentrico Carapinha is also a part of our team; without them we would not have a hair product line, nor would we be able to participate in all the amazing outreach they are leading. Also, the team at our distributor, Mozambique Good Trade, has been a major collaborator, especially in supporting distribution and logistics from our shared campus. Finally, my business partner has pushed me to question assumptions and be courageous in exploring new ideas; this is hugely important.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I studied Public Policy at Brown University and originally came to Mozambique as a Peace Corps volunteer in 2005. I hoped to better understand the world of development aid, and what type of organization I might want to work for. However, my experience taught me the real limitations of development aid and the importance of economic development, particularly for women at the base of the pyramid. Without economic autonomy, empowering women with life skills sessions and negotiating condom use seemed futile. I became captivated by models for business development that invested in social and environmental sustainability.
I don’t come from a family of businesspeople, and I certainly didn’t know much about navigating the Mozambican business arena when I began. There have thus been many, many learning curves along my path. One of my biggest takeaways has been the importance of a strong team and good partners. No one does it alone.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
At the moment, Marcia and I are heavily investing in developing a team and better systems to support production, marketing, and sales for our family of brands. We are also investing in our Tofo-based craft center to capitalize on the shared needs of our production systems, pilot new value chains, and run training for local artisans. The Khethu Arts Village is poised to become a reference point and incubator for innovative Mozambican craft in the future, capitalizing on the unique market presented by our location in Inhambane.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The privilege of following my interests and bringing ideas to life.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Seek out mentors and skilled expertise. And be courageous. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
To find out more visit the two websites and social media pages:
https://www.facebook.com/miomboco
https://www.facebook.com/biooleosco
https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/miomboco/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32UYbUNZ6yM&feature=youtu.be
