Meet Zehavit Alkobi (Zee), the small business owner of “Zee’s Love in a Jar” based in NSW.
Zee’s business sells a range of delicious products inspired by Moroccan cuisine from her childhood and also by the overwhelming response she received from her customers at her café at the Bondi beach. Her products were born in Bondi at her café and are namely the Shakshuka sauce, paprika oil, and preserved lemon. She makes all her products by hand with no preservatives or artificial flavours and so much LOVE.
“My business coach from Many Rivers, Naomi gave me a lot of support in terms of keeping me on the right track with respect to running my business. She gave me ideas and resources to grow my business and to run it effectively.”
Read more about Zee’s business journey so far:
Zee’s Business
I am a chef since the two decades, so my business is all about cooking and selling delicious products. Through my business, I sell my famous Shakshuka sauce, paprika oil, and preserved lemon jar. I make all my products by hand with no preservatives or artificial flavours and with so much LOVE. I feel very proud of myself and products because they are now stocked at 60 stores across all states in Australia.
What were you doing before you made contact with Many Rivers?
I am a qualified chef and food has always been my thing. I am working as a qualified chef, over the last two decades. I used to run my own café at the Bondi beach, my own Moroccan restaurant and I also work as a private chef.
Why did you want to go into business?
Like I said earlier, food has always been my passion. I have also been inspired by Moroccan cuisine since childhood. My heart deeply connected to the power of food and that has led me towards my journey as a chef.
Working with Many Rivers
I got into the NEIS program, and they advised me about Many Rivers and then I got in touch with my business coach, Naomi.
“My business coach from Many Rivers, Naomi gave me a lot of support in terms of keeping me on the right track with respect to running my business. She gave me ideas and resources to grow my business and to run it effectively.”
The loan was the most helpful assistance from Many Rivers as it allowed me to grow my business.
Did you get a loan from MR? How did you use the loan?
Yes, I did get a loan from Many Rivers.
What did you find the most useful about the assistance from Many Rivers?
The loan from Many Rivers was the most helpful to progress my business.
Do you have any current employees? If so, how many employees? Are they full-time or part-time?
It’s just me.
Biggest Challenge
So far managing cashflow has been the most challenging part of running my business.
Biggest Success
The biggest success for me is that my products are receiving a great response and are currently stocked at 60+ stories across Australia. Another success is having a reliable manufacturer who make the sauce for me as per my quality standards and last but not the least winning a bronze award at the Sydney Royal fine foods show.
Biggest Change
Personally, I feel that I have learned so much about running a business and my own potential. My website, social media, and all of it has changed me personally. To be honest, the business has forced me to learn so much stuff.
Future Goals
I would like to get two more stores over Australia, and I would like to have a distributor who can get my sauces to other states in Australia. I want to reach the global markets as well. I want to grow and develop other products and create more awareness about my business.
Thank you, Zee for sharing your business journey with us. We wish you the best of luck with future endeavours and business success.
If you would like to stay updated with Zee and her small business, follow “Zee’s Love in a Jar” through the following links:
Website: https://www.loveinajar.co/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063789301210
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeesloveinajar/
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