In an environment where statistics often overshadow the gradual business undertakings ,the untold stories of perseverance and resilience often slip through the cracks. Surveys reveal that 60% of new businesses fail within three years, with 20% going under within 1 year, and only 42.5% surviving their fifth year. Amidst this challenging backdrop, the story of Wiseman Business Farm emerges as a testament to the unwavering spirit of entrepreneurship.

In 2018, Wiseman Business Farm sprouted as an Agri-Sme with diverse business projects including fish farming, maize cultivation, coffee farming, piggery, rice farming, and the cultivation of fruits and vegetables. The initial vision was ambitious, but as with any venture, upsides and downsides are a part of the business equation.

Navigating Challenges with Grit

The fish farming project, initially the farm’s cash cow, faced setbacks due to pond vandalization and uncontrolled fishing by the local community. The business worked tirelessly to revamp its rice project, only their efforts to be met with an unexpected hurdle when avian interference led to the loss of the entire 4-acre harvest in a single day. These hurdles, though disheartening served as catalysts for building resilience.

“I thought we were finished, with such a huge investment in the rice and fish projects, I thought there was no coming back” Frank Mugweri, Founder of Wiseman Business Farm.

A Ray of Hope

Drawing lessons from adversity, Wiseman Business Farm strategically embraced specialization as the cornerstone of sustainability. This led to the inception of the Passion Fruit Project a strategic initiative with the goal of expanding from the existing 4 acres to substantial 16 acres. The business remains optimistic about the future returns of this endeavor and is actively exploring potential local and regional markets.

As Wiseman Business Farm charts its course forward, several milestones are on the horizon. With an initial investment need of USD 50,000, the business intends to extend irrigation across the entire farm, value addition to passion fruit production, implement a robust accounting system, and enhance business visibility.

External Support

Recognizing the potential, Finding XY on boarded the business into an enterprise support program focused on refining the business model and making it investment-ready. It’s a collaborative effort, acknowledging that it’s businesses like Wiseman Business Farm that often require the most support to achieve sustainability. To us, the narrative of Wiseman Business Farm underscores the power of resilience, adaptation, and the unwavering spirit of entrepreneurs.

“Agriculturalists like us don’t always have all the know-how when it comes to the best management practices and business strategies. Having partners to guide us in building our skills and making smart investments is always an opportunity we appreciate.” Frank Mugweri, Founder of Wiseman Business Farm.