Hi Everybody!
Something I believe in strongly is what Henry Ford once said “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success”.
So keeping my team together and working with them has been one of the most important aspects of my success. As a part of doing that, I recently took a trip to Burkina Faso to meet the woman farmers whose products give my beverages their unique tropical flavor and nutrition. I thought I’d share my experience and learning.
These women farmers grow the baobab, moringa and hibiscus flowers all of which are the nutrient-rich main ingredients of my beverages. My priority was to meet them, discuss their goals and farming methods and find out what they needed and how they could to do better. I spent time conducting some important staff meetings and screening candidates to hire new recruits. I also made sure to meet with local authorities and start building new partnerships that will help to take the Foundation’s mission forward.
The process of buying a bigger land for farming and a new vehicle to transport the goods from the farm to the processing place, putting together an event for exposure and visibility and meeting with the organic certification organization for a new certification was very productive and had an extremely positive effect on my team in Burkina too.
I’ve realized just how important it is to bond with people who are the core of your business and how essential it is for them to know that you are there to support them. It was tremendously satisfying to share with them what is going on in the business and the feedback that we are getting from customers for our products and the ingredients that the women farmers are growing. The time spent was a great opportunity for me to remind them of the important role they play in the process of making Makomas beverages successful.
I get a lot of satisfaction just to know that we are giving back by providing the women farmers in Burkina Faso a reliable source of steady income to help them support their family, to keep their children in school and to ensure growth in their capabilities by getting them to participate in workshops and trainings.
It was very heart-warming to see that they are still working hard and happy to be a part of the Makomas Foundation community. It is very satisfying to know just how the Foundation is changing their lives and empowering them. The knowledge that they wake up every day knowing that they have a secure job gives me and the Makomas team a great sense of fulfillment. I’m also glad that more authorities and communities learned about us and were impressed with the work we are doing. I am truly lucky to have a staff that is dedicated and always willing to be challenged.
I learned that life is about give and take. If you give a lot, you get back a lot more. A big thank you to my team in Burkina and the US for their hard work and you our customers for your support without which Makomas wouldn’t be what it is today.
Magbè Savané
Wow that sounds like an interesting trip! And I love that you actually take the time to go meet your producers – it makes your product feel all the more genuine!
I put my consumers’ interests at heart and make sure they get just the best with Makomas Fruits.
I agree with you about life being about giving and take. I love to give, I don’t like to take and it seems to work positively in my life 😉
Hope you enjoy your journey. Looking forward to your journey when you visit other Africa countries.
I look forward to making my business global. Be on the lookout.
Life is definitely about give and take!! I try to give as much as I can. Great article!! Thank you for sharing!
We need more people like you, Natalie!
Wow, this truly sounds like such a heart-warming AND fun experience! It looks like you had an amazing time here!
I did and thanks for stopping by.
Wow! What an incredible experience you must have had.
Yes, it was.
I agree it is important to have a relationship with your team. I think it’s awesome that you took the time to meet with them and discuss their needs. If they feel appreciated they are more willing to work for your team.
The kind of relationship with your team can either mar or make your business. I prioritize my team that much.
wow! That’s so great that you took the time to do that! That looks like an amazing experience for everyone!
It was indeed an amazing one. I wish to have more trips like this.
Glad you met your team already. Hopefully you made connections that will glue more all of you. And, hopefully you enjoyed it.
You are so right about life. Its just a positive way of living.
It’s great that you meet them already. I love the quote that being together is the beginning.. And so on.. 😘
Love the Henry Ford quote….bonding with those we work with is so essential!
I love that particular quote too.
I am happy you were able to meet your team. I hear Bukina Faso has some beautiful places to visit.
It’s wonderful that you’re trying to connect & create a bond with people at the grassroots of your business. Most of the times, it’s these personal connections & appreciation of effort that matter more than any monetary compensation.
– Nandita
I couldn’t agree less, Nandita.
It is glad to know that you finally met with your team. Hopefully, you enjoyed your time and had a great experience.
I did and thank you, Elizabeth
I am so happy for you that you’d able to meet your team. I just love how positive you are in so many ways.
Thank you so much for your kind words
It is so important to work closely with your team. You understand how things work at ground level, what are the challenges and it also boosts the morale of the team. It is such a learning experience. Thank you sharing
Glad you found it helpful.
I am so happy for you. Having a great team and a wonderful connexion between the members it’s always important and very rewarding.
I’m glad I have a great team to rely on.
Sounds like you had a good trip to meet your team. Love following along on your adventures.
I did. Hoping to travel more often.
Sounds like a wonderful time and I’m so glad you have a good group to support you!
Yes it was and my support system is 100% everything.