This is the story of Mwana Wa Pepa (MWP), a Tanzania company that gives hope in more ways than one and represents its hopeful meaning: “Don’t lose hope.” This story demonstrates how entrepreneurs think; it shows how problems are solved; it defines the Quadruple Bottom Line of BAM;* and it shows God at work, transforming lives and communities.
It starts in the inquisitive mind of young Alex, living in a simple home on the shores of Lake Victoria. He wondered why some people are poor and others rich; he noticed that he and his friends had learned to be employees but not employers; he saw how churches knew how to receive and manage charity monies but not how to generate income; he was saddened to see the ravages of skin disease all over East Africa.
Alex began to dream.
God knew what was going on. He knew that Alex was committed to praying to God, begging for answers. God knew Alex needed partners, and He also knew that Alex was committed to continual learning. Thus, he needed a mentor.
Alex found his way into the city; he started to help the most vulnerable in the community and he continued to pray for God to lead him. And God did! A pathway started to emerge, which, while complex in the details, is a simple model for a BAM startup.
- Find a product which meets human needs and blesses the community.
In the sovereignty of God, a friend entered his life who had specific knowledge about skin care products. As they experimented with natural soaps, jellies, and lotions, a product emerged which avoided harmful chemicals and used only natural products made from fruits, vegetables, and roots. Not only did the outcome product provide natural cleansing, but it also brought healing to damaged skin and hair.
- Utilize smart and honest business principles
Alex was beginning to realize his gift for business, and he began to think of the rural communities where skin diseases are rampant, and the big companies did not see a market. IBEC believes that every business needs a coach; and God knew Alex needed one. By the grace of God, the two met. Imagine an experienced business executive with a passion for Jesus, and a young entrepreneurial dreamer in touch with God! Things were off and running.
Alex began to study the Triventure BAM program (triventure.com) and started to get coaching from IBEC’s Bob Bush. Coach Bob encouraged Alex to take one step at a time, using the lean canvas tool. He helped Alex refine his operational plan and his market strategy, keeping in mind honest biblical values integrated with the business. All the while, Alex kept in mind his desire to help his countrymen, as well as others in neighboring nations, to be less dependent on foreign aid. There was due diligence written all over each step. He could see that sustainable business generated income and improved local churches, reducing their dependence on donors. He was learning to leverage natural resources from the earth for the benefit of people.
Alex wanted all strategies to connect with a much bigger goal, one related to his market strategy. He began to help the soap vendors to set targets, work efficiently and monitor increasing sales. This not only ensured the growth of MWP, but helped develop an ethos of small business success for those vendors.
- Do it all as a team
When interviewed by Mike Baer (thirdpathinitiative.com) on Mike’s podcast, Alex affirmed that the best advice he received was that he learned to value the importance of a team, something hard for entrepreneurial types. Alex incorporated prayer into the fabric of the soap manufacturing day, developing a culture of, “Oh Lord, help me.”
Team brings encouragement (something modeled by his mentor, Bob), accountability, and shared burdens. Together, the team coalesced around a commitment to their goal of building the Kingdom of God through caring for human need and introducing people to the King.
MWP is all about hope – not losing it; but also gaining it. Hope for those hurt by skin disease; jobs for the unemployed, and business leadership for others; transformed lives through the spiritual impact as disciples of Jesus; and reduced dependence on foreign aid. Business as Mission businesses like this are at the heart of God’s way of changing the world in the 21st century.
- Quadruple Bottom Line of BAM: profitable business, social impact (jobs and (people care), spiritual impact, care for God’s creation.
Larry W. Sharp, BAM Support Specialist, IBEC Ventures
Larry.Sharp@ibecventures.com