Rebecca Tshuma, a South African agripreneur with a big growth vision — Lionesses of Africa

Lioness Weekender spoke to founder Rebecca Tshuma who shares her unique entrepreneurial story, from her first business ventures as a schoolgirl to her aspirations to build a national, high growth food brand of the future.

What does your company do?

Becks Foods grows, processes, packs, and distributes high quality fresh produce for the retail, hospitality, services, event companies and export markets. We also supply free range eggs and poultry from our farms. We are a national listed supplier to SPAR Group, Shoprite Checkers, and Food Lovers Market.

What inspired you to start your company?

It was my love for food and a God inspired mandate to feed His people that inspired me to venture in Becks Foods. I am very sensitive about food quality and safety and wanted to produce and feed my family quality food that I was comfortable and happy with.

Why should anyone use your service or product?

Becks Foods prides itself on producing food and vegetables that are responsibly farmed with minimal utilization of pesticides, herbicides and artificial fertilizers. Hence “Made With Love”. Our products are of a premium quality standard and responsibly made in a food safety (FSA) certified pack-house. Our in-house growing of most of our fresh produce allows us to give our customers very competitive pricing which benefits our customers’ profit margins. We also provide customized packaged products structured to suit the client’s requirements.

Tell us a little about your team

Our team is dedicated, committed to excellence and on-time service delivery. We pride ourselves on teamwork. We are a team comprising of qualified agronomists, food technologists, pack-house and farm staff. Everyone at Becks Foods is unique and complements each other.

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

Becks Foods started as a childhood dream that I had since I was a young girl, which came from my love for farming and food. I was raised in a farming environment as both my parents are farmers, as well as my grandparents. Farming has been passed down from generation to generation in my family which started with my grandparents being commercial farmers in their time. Growing up in that environment I was inspired and motivated to pursue the culinary, agricultural and hospitality route. With that in mind, I joined the Christina Martin School of Food and Wine where I then qualified Cum Laude as a chef and earned my title as Chef Becks. As a young girl still at school, I started my fresh pie business and supplied companies. They were received so well that executives would order for their families. My boyfriend then, who is now my husband, was my sales and marketing person and still is today.

What are your future plans and aspirations for your company? 

We strive to produce the best fresh produce that will satisfy our consumers – mind, body and soul. At Becks Foods we shall continue to better ourselves with every opportunity we are privileged to receive. We want to become a national household brand and expand our wings into many other countries. We intend to partner with other women in various countries. We would also want to venture into non-perishable goods in the near future.

What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?

For me personally, knowing that I have contributed to the wellbeing and upliftment of society gives me great pleasure.

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

Never wait for a perfect moment. Just start, one small step at a time. Rome was not built in a day and neither will your business be built overnight. Do not give up on your dream and passion.

To find out more about Becks Foods, contact founder Rebecca Tshuma via email: rebecca@becksfoods.co.za or visit the company website: www.becksfoods.com