Winky Farms

A small holder cocoa farm and craft chocolate tree to bar maker.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@kjulietd2 Thanks Juliet, check out @moonbeanchoccy at Dancing Cup in Bugolobi (they come to mind for chocolate making classes/experiences). Also look up Chocolate Alchemy

We will offer an interpretation of basic entry classes/workshops next year if you haven't found what you want by then

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

3 months trying to figure the best way to "move" & these are our humble results. A micro batch craft #chocolate kitchen due end of November offering limited edition custom & standard @WinkyFarms 🍫 & #cocoa products; bars, truffles,nut spreads, drinking cocoa, etc. Wish us luck🤞🏿

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@6ixtus_ @BlakSolomon Thank you.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@wirejames We apologise for not getting back to you earlier, we had quite a lot to figure out including whether that is the direction for us at this time & scale. Now that we've moved in concrete steps kindly allow us discuss your proposal & revert.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@maureenagena This month I'll personally be reaching out. Apologies for the long hiatus 🙏🏿

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@ED_SAGE Thank you Edward, we appreciate the support and faith in us.

@BlakSolomon

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@RugandoCLfarm @CoffeeUganda @eacmarkup @EUinUG @MAAIF_Uganda @NaCORIUganda @narouganda @EIyamulemye Cocoa or coffee?

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@misswezwez @BlakSolomon @KwanzaCocoa I recall "our" struggle with the "other BIG clients" 😂🍫

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

This right here are nuggets of wisdom to consider for every startup.

@BlakSolomon
@KwanzaCocoa

[Alex Ponton @ponton_alex]

Changing the behavior of banks and lenders will take time in this country. Here are some alternative ways to secure financing & liquidity for your business.

Prepayments: Don't be scared to sell your solution even if it is not yet built. Nothing gets an early adopter more excited than co-building. If you have identified a problem that keeps them up at night and your "idea of the solution" or your MVP makes sense, they are likely more than happy to pre-pay upfront so you can execute on your vision.

Annual subscriptions: From my experience doing B2B in Africa, most folks don't like monthly payments. They prefer 1 approval instead of 12. Payments are messy as well. Take advantage of this.

Consulting & Agency: Interswitch built their whole payment platform at the back of doing consulting and implementations for big banks. If you really understand a problem and how to solve it, business folks will be more than happy to pay for your knowledge, your time and your ability to handle the problem for them. It also gives you unique insights and enables you to sharpen your understanding as you have a foot in the door. Consulting can pay the bills and serve as free R&D...

Cure your pilotitis: People love pilots in Africa but your cash flows don't. Digging deeper, a free pilot doesn't tell you much. They take time, people aren't as committed as when they pay, you still don't know if they will pay at the end, etc. Once the pilot is done, you have to start the negotiation all over again. Instead, try selling your annual subscription (see above) with full reimbursement if they are not happy after 3 months.

Supplier financing: The late BMK built his whole spare part business at the back of supplier financing in Japan during the Obote II days. He famously travelled to Japan, was mugged & lost all the cash he brought but still managed to place an order without any money. What's your excuse for not asking? Jokes aside, suppliers are much more likely to give you financing if you have built a good relationship with them.

Shorten your cash cycle: Look for counterparties that pay quickly. Parastatale might take 2 years to pay with a lot of back-and-forth while some people might pay the bulk upfront and the balance within 30 days. You can unlock a lot of liquidity in your business by shortening your cash cycle. Fire the big clients that don't pay.

Internally generated cash flows: This is stating the obvious but people often forget that breaking-even and generating cash flows from your business is the ultimate goal. You don't give up equity, you don't have to deal with the phone calls from your banker and no one has to sit on your board. It also puts you in a situation where investors don't have as much leverage when you do go and raise funds. You might grow slower but when all else fails, maximize your cash flow generating machine.

Being broke is a distraction: There is absolutely nothing wrong with keeping your job as you build your business if that ensures you can meet your needs. "You need to sleep on couches like Elon Musk did and eat instant noodles every day" is one of those rubbish Silicon Valley myths that make 0 sense. If you struggle to make rent or provide for your family, you are not focused. That is way more important...

Have a great Sunday!

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@ponton_alex @SusanKhainza Presume "kickstarter" falls within this category.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@maureenagena We are sadly out of stock and not doing production until the coming month when everything is streamlined. Kindly accept our apologies.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@lukusem @maureenagena Our apologies Mr. Rukundo. We hope with these new adjustments we will be able to better serve and communicate with our customers. Kindly accept our humble apology.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@lukusem Good morning Rukundo. We are a small cottage business and not yet at a store...you can however place an order with us on 0782671299 or DM (tax: each 50gm bar is 5000/= plus a transport fee between 5000-10,000/= depending on your location).

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@LydiaNakayenze I see chocolate in her very bright near future... Well done C.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@africa_point Let's have a discussion on the possibility of that.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

Haven't done your holiday season gift shopping yet?

For 40,000/=only, let @WinkyFarms hook you up with 5 assorted bars of #Chocolate, gift wrapped with a card for your personal message to your personal people.

(NB: At 5,000-10,000/= we can deliver it for you within Kampala

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@mutesipaula @CMMwizer @anita_mutesi Currently in Uganda but sometimes available in Kgl and working on regular supply. We hope to have a small boutique craft #chocolate making factory/experience in +250 in the very near future though.

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@EveZalwango @BlakSolomon Yes!!!! Hehe

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@lukusem Lol. You can place your order directly with us on 0782671299 or DM us here. A 50gm bar is 5,000/= and we deliver for between 5,000-10,000/= depending on location. We also have other (none Mulondo lol) flavours. 100% grown and processed in Uganda.

@BlakSolomon

[Winky Farms @WinkyFarms]

@kahome_steve @threadreaderapp unroll