
Meet the Entrepreneurs
Every dream begins with a story. Meet a sampling of the innovators and changemakers who are turning their ideas into thriving businesses with the help of Obontu. Each entrepreneur passed Obo's Business 101 printed course, received in-person training and business startup assistance, and has graduated the 2 year coaching program.

Akhona's Poultry Farm
South Africa 2021
Initial Investment: $650 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $19,600 USD
Though he is completely blind, Akhona didn't allow that to stop him. He turned his investment into a thriving poultry business. Starting with just 20 chickens and a single walk-in coop, he built a sustainable enterprise that now supports his family and neighbors with fresh eggs and meat—bringing essential food access to his community.
His perseverance and business success allowed him to return to school, where he earned a full-ride scholarship and a job in cyber security. Today, his mother and a few hired neighbors continue managing the farm, which now has more than 160 chickens and continues to grow stronger every year.
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Omi's Barbershops
Tanzania 2022
Initial Investment: $500 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $212,025 USD
Omi turned his initial investment into a thriving barbershop that’s transforming Omi’s community and his family. With the funds, Omi renovated his space—adding new flooring, fresh paint, chairs, clippers, and signage—and within a single day of opening, he had a line out the door.
Omi's barber shops earn a substantial annual profit, that is changing his family's lives for generations. His success allowed him to open a second shop near his family's village out of the main town center, creating new jobs and expanding opportunity for others.
Despite challenges with rising rent, Omi continues to thrive, proving what hard work and a little support can accomplish.
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Wastara's Tailor Shop
Zanzibar 2023
Initial Investment: $350 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $75,700 USD
With her investment and a clear vision, Wastara opened her tailor shop in Zanzibar, creating school uniforms, bed sheets, and custom clothing. With support for equipment and marketing, she quickly built a steady customer base—often earning strong margins as many clients provide their own fabric.
Wastara now promotes her business on Facebook, serves her community with custom work, and proudly supports her family through her growing enterprise. She employs multiple community members and used her profits to help her family move into a larger home with a dedicated wing for her tailoring business. Her success has inspired other female entrepreneurs in the area, leading to additional Obo-sponsored tailor shops modeled after her example.
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Sivu's Nail & Hair Salon
South Africa 2022
Initial Investment: $180 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $29,338 USD
After losing both of her parents, Sivu inherited her family home and worked tirelessly to put herself through school to become a certified nail technician and hair braider. Despite her training and determination, she lacked the basic tools and setup needed to launch her own business.
With her funding, she was able to purchase the essential supplies — a proper work table, chairs, polish, and acrylics — to officially launch her business.
From there, her skill and hard work quickly built a loyal client base. What began as a small in-home salon has grown into a thriving business.
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Unathi's Beaded Dress Shop
South Africa 2021
Initial Investment: $150 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $31,076 USD
Unathi started with her investment and a simple dream — crafting simple beaded bracelets and jewelry that celebrated her culture’s vibrant artistry. Her creativity and craftsmanship quickly caught attention, and one day, a client asked for a matching beaded dress to go with her jewelry. That single request sparked a transformation.
Unathi discovered a new niche and pivoted her small jewelry shop into a flourishing fashion business specializing in custom beaded dresses. Within her first year, she sold over 50 handmade dresses, blending traditional beadwork with modern design.
Today, Unathi’s creations are more than fashion — they’re a celebration of culture, empowerment, and resilience. What began as a side dream with a small investment has become a profitable and inspiring business rooted in pride and artistry.
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Anita's Nail Salon
South Africa 2021
Initial Investment: $150 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $32,858 USD
With her newfound business knowledge from the Obo course and a passion for beauty, Anita launched her own nail salon, offering gel and acrylic nail services to women in her community. Her dedication to quality and creativity quickly earned her a loyal and growing clientele, allowing her to turn a modest investment into a thriving small business.
Anita’s journey is a testament to how skill, consistency, and self-belief can multiply opportunity. She continues to refine her craft through self-training and is now focused on has expanded her client base and enhanced her salon to meet increasing demand.
What began as a small dream has become a sustainable, income-generating business that uplifts not only Anita, but the women she serves.
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Nandipha's Bakery
South Africa 2021
Initial Investment: $250 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $10,215 (pre-wholesale)
As a single mother, Nandipha was looking for a way to provide additional funds for her children with skills she already possessed. With her investment and a love for baking, Nandipha launched a small bakery offering cakes, muffins, brownies, and cookies. Her talent and dedication quickly attracted attention. She was able to leverage that attention into partnerships with local stores and schools to sell her goods.
This massive update lead to wholesale and consistent monthly orders, helping her move from individual sales to larger-scale production. With these opportunities, Nandipha is positioning her bakery for steady, sustainable growth while delighting her community with her creations.
Nandipha continues to expand her business and improve efficiency, working to lower ingredient costs and increase profit margins.
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Phumza’s Children Bakery
South Africa 2021
Initial Investment: $250 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $9,130 USD
With her investment used to purchase an oven and essential baking supplies, and fueled by a passion for baking and children, Phumza launched a small bakery serving muffins and cakes in her community.
She quickly became a trusted source for affordable treats, especially for schoolchildren, opening her shop in the mornings and afternoons to coincide with school snack times. Despite challenges with rising ingredient costs, Phumza has built a sustainable business that contributes to her family’s financial stability as a secondary income.
She proudly created her own business cards and enjoys handing them out with her baked goods, sharing both her products and her entrepreneurial spirit with the community.

Sisanda's Fabric Goods & Sewing
South Africa 2022
Initial Investment: $180 USD
Adjusted Annual Profit: $16,355 USD
When Sisanda began her Obo journey, she was raising her sons alone after her husband suddenly left and was facing significant health challenges. Desperate to provide for her family, she got a job at a fabric shop, learning valuable skills that would soon spark her own entrepreneurial journey.
With her investment and a passion for preserving cultural traditions, Sisanda began sewing traditional aprons and doeks, transforming her creativity into a sustainable source of income.
Sisanda now balances her fabric store job, raising her sons, and growing her small business. She recently added direct fabric sales to her enterprise, purchasing discounted fabrics from her day job and selling them to her community for a profit.