Koni Maliehe, a South African wine entrepreneur building her own private label

Startup Story

Koni Maliehe is the founding wine entrepreneur leading the Koni Wines brand in Cape Town, South Africa. The company was established in 2015 when Koni left her corporate job to become a business owner. It is now 5 years later, the Koni Wine brand is slowly gaining momentum and attracting a solid client base and exposure. Koni Wine will feature on a DSTV TV advert as one of the chosen SMEs by sponsor, Hollard Insurance. It is a 6 months campaign to boost selected SMEs in South Africa due to impact of COVID-19.

LoA chatted to founder, Koni Maliehe, this month to find out more about this exciting new wine brand.

What does your company do?

We are sellers of both red and white wines under our own private label.

“My story intends to inspire those in their forties, who are stuck in the middle and thinking they cannot move and start a business.”

What inspired you to start your company?

I needed a shift, a different focus, and to write a new page for myself.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

My story intends to inspire those in their forties, who are stuck in the middle and thinking they cannot move and start a business. My wines are special, they aim to celebrate each special occasion and journey, while bringing vibrance to a table setting through our look, feel and taste.

Tell us a little about your team

I have been managing the business on my own due to being a self-funded business. However, I have a sales team in some areas of the country and administration assistance.

“My wines are special, they aim to celebrate each special occasion and journey, while bringing vibrance to a table setting through our look, feel and taste.”

Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?

I am from a family of professionals, not entrepreneurs. I am the only one in the family who opted to become an entrepreneur. My wish is that, if I knew better, I could have started at an early age. However, entrepreneurship was not encouraged in my community or schooling.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?

I need to expand the Koni Wine brand outside South Africa, while continuing to grow locally, and hopefully inspire younger generations to keep dreaming and working hard. In the end, my success will be a success to other lives in the future.

“I need to expand the Koni Wine brand outside South Africa, while continuing to grow locally, and hopefully inspire younger generations to keep dreaming and working hard.”

“In the end, my success will be a success to other lives in the future.”

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

Managing my own time, creating my own ideas freely, and making my own mistakes without being penalized. I am my own competitor and judge, besides my customers.

What’s the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?

You are never too old to re-write your story, refrain from entertaining excuses. 
Follow your gut and let actions speak more than words.

Cointact or follow Koni Wine

WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL info@koniwines.com

Why LoA loves it…

Koni’s story is inspirational because she is a great example of how it’s possible to fulfill your entrepreneurial dreams at any age, as long as you have the passion and the vision. She is proof positive that if you have the will to succeed, the energy to drive your ambition, and a great product, that you can become the entrepreneur you want to be. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa

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