#WIB – Q&A With Anja Fourie Founder Of Timeless Tomatoes
1. Can you please tell us more about your business?
A. Timeless Tomatoes was established in 2004 on a farm outside Bethulie. We are doing fresh tomatoes as well as agro-processing .
Our products are produced in an age-old hearty farm tradition. In our range we have the following:
- Sun Dried Tomatoes
- Preserved Sun Dried Tomatoes
- Sun Dried tomato pesto
- Sun Dried tomato salad dressing
- Tomato Jam
- Hot Tomato Jam
- Tomato Chutney
- Green Tomato Chutney
2. When, how and why did you start your business?
A. I started the business to supplement my income in 2004 on a very small scale. Starting with a small shade net tunnel and cooking in the kitchen.
3. What is your role in your business?
A. At the moment my role in the business is to see that everything goes smoothly. From the fresh tomatoes that go to the markets as well as to see to the agro-processing side. Checking that everything is running smoothly there as well.
4. Where did you study and what did you study?
A. I studied at Bloemfontein CUT as an Internal auditor.
5. How did you finance your business?
A. It was very difficult to get financing to start my business. I started with just my savings account. After that, I got a loan at FNB.
6. Describe your average workday, if such a thing exists.
A. I do not have an average workday but in season, it all starts early in the morning with harvesting the fresh tomatoes and after that looking after the sorting and packing of the fresh tomatoes. Thereafter, it’s the second-grade tomatoes we do the agro-processing with.
7. How do you balance your home life and your work life?
A. I have a rule, from Monday to Friday it is working as much as I can and on the weekend, it is family time.
8. What drives you and inspires you?
A. It is always nice to look at other success stories that inspire me. I also hold on to the dream a have.
9. Where and when do you have your best ideas?
A. My best ideas I get when I am alone walking on the farm.
10. Where and how do you market/advertise your business for sales leads?
A. I went to big markets like Grain SA’s, Nampo Harvest Day and I also have an online shop. I make use of social media as well.
11. What is next for your business?
A. I want Timeless Tomatoes to be a well –known brand across South Africa and maybe to export to the rest of the world later on.
12. What advice would you give to female entrepreneurs hoping to start their own business?
A. Just start! Nothing will come from having an idea and not acting on it. But start small. Go to places like SEDA and DESTEA, they have helped me a lot. Have a support team and always look for God’s grace.
About Timeless Tomatoes
Timeless Tomatoes was established in 2005 on a farm outside Bethulie. Timeless Tomatoes prides itself on planting, nurturing, producing, and selecting only the best quality tomatoes.
The products are produced in an age-old hearty farm tradition and the drying process is done in natural sunshine, the way nature intended.
Tomatoes are cut into slices. This results in an improved drying process resulting in better quality products.
Contact Details:
M +27 (0)73 361 7906
E info@timelesstomatoes.com
T +27 (0)51 653 0669
F +27 (0)51 653 0669
P.O. Box 208
Bethulie 9992
Free State
South Africa
For more visit: timelesstomatoes.com