by Zuleika Buhar

Canned fish is an important food source. They are rich in protein and many other essential nutrients. Even though we live on an island, getting your hand on premium canned fish can definitely be a challenge.

Bluefish is a new female-founded and led food company aiming to make ethically sourced, premium, and delicious tinned seafood a staple in every cupboard in Sri Lanka. They provide exceptional quality, homemade canned fish products made with individually handpicked export quality fish, free from any added preservatives or flavours, and made using only healthy ingredients with an authentic signature taste.

We sat down with the founder of Bluefish and accelerateher alumni, Bhagya Sandakelum to hear her perspective on being a female entrepreneur in this competitive industry.

What differentiates Bluefish from what already exists in the market?

The ingredients we use. We use only export quality fish for our products and all our products are made using healthy ingredients without any artificial preservatives or flavours. Our products are all freshly made.

In terms of taste and flavour Bluefish is paired with Sri Lankan spices giving it its’ unique taste and flavours. Another interesting about our product is that it is ready to eat straight out of the can. With no pungent smell!

What were some unique challenges that you faced as a female entrepreneur to this business?

Most of the issues were based on gender stereotypes. Even though we live in 2022 there are still gender biases to certain industries. Even to get our family’s support. We live in a society where people think that I, as a mother or the women has to stay back and let my male counterparts run the business. It was quite difficult to get that support. Those are the main issues I had to face.

How did you get through these challenges and biases given to you in the industry?

As a mother and founder of Bluefish I face this judgement every day, I realized I can’t be everyone’s cup of tea. It has been really difficult but if people try to drag me down, I just believe in myself and go on to prove them wrong. I like to show them that I can in fact manage everything.

When you have moments of doubt, what pushes you through?

I always keep reminding myself why I started this business. I also look at my son and remind myself that this is why I want to keep on going.

What message would you give to young girls who look up to you?

Believe in yourself. That is the main thing. Have an understanding about what you’re doing and just keep at it.

How did you manage to keep your business afloat during the current crisis in Sri Lanka?

It has been a nightmare as a food business! Finding fuel, raw materials at decent prices, transport and every single thing has been tough.

Accelerateher from Hatch was really helpful for me as a guide to get through this tough time. The networking and the mentors were so helpful. That really helped me push on through.

When I had issues with my product with the current crisis, I would talk to my customers and communicate with them on how I could better prepare it.

For raw materials I had to rely on resources that were available so I had to reschedule a lot of my plans. I had to adapt.

What was the best piece of advice you received from the accelerateher program?

I started Bluefish with no prior knowledge on business. I started it with zero knowledge about finance. With the mentorship I received from this program I learned how to value my products and how to get it on the market.

What plans do you have for the future of Bluefish?

I am mainly looking to expand our production and our production unit as well. I am also looking forward to taking our products to the international market.

If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?

Learn how to value your products! Trust yourself and value yourself.

How do you personally define success?

Financial independency and good influence. I think both of those are key factors in being successful.

What are you most proud of in your journey?

I’m proud  of the title I have being a woman, a mother and the founder of Bluefish.

I am proud of my journey of health and weight loss. I am also very proud of the fact that I am a finalist of accelerateher program. I was not expecting that at all and am very proud of how far I have come.

Bubbly and eager to bring her product out in the world, Bhagya Sandakelum is an innovative and brilliant entrepreneur. We look forward to see what she and Bluefish will offer for the rest of the program. We wish her the best of luck!

Accelerateher is a curated 3-month program tailored to your startups’ needs and growth objectives.

The program mentors and experts are individuals with deep industry, investment, and entrepreneurship experience, and have worked across all stages of a startup.

They’ll be on hand to guide you and your team towards your growth objectives.

Head on over to their website to learn more!

http://www.accelerateher.asia/

The post Hatch Accelerateher Alumni- Bluefish by Bhagya Sandakelum appeared first on ChoKoLAAte Blog.

by Zuleika Buhar

Born out of the intention to develop a label that prioritizes the skills of local artisans, Leo the Label moves away from the traditional mass production structure that dominates Sri Lankan factories today, and instead, steers towards a more conscious system of production.

Every item is ethically handcrafted in limited batches by Sri Lankan artisans, using locally-sourced, biodegradable linen fabric. Timeless pieces uniquely named after ancient goddesses, inspiring women & celestial bodies. Leo the Label is designed to be versatile enough to be dressed up or down to suit any given occasion.

We sat down with accelerateher alumni Sashini Jinasena to ask her a few questions on her journey thus far.

What makes “Leo the Label” so unique from other existing fashion lines within Sri Lanka?

We were born out of the intention to develop a clothing line that really utilities the skills of local artisans in Sri Lanka particularly in a none exploitative manner so we intended to stray away from the mass production structure that dominates Sri Lankan factories today. We instead steer  towards a more conscious line of production. Each piece being handcrafted in very limited batches by seamstresses in and around Colombo. We only use locally sourced end of roll biodegradable fabric so this means we only specialize in linen at the moment until we can find other locally and  ethically sourced materials like cotton.

Being a woman within this industry was there any unique challenges you faced based on your gender?

One of the main things is never been taken seriously especially in bigger institutions like governments and banks. Being a woman and a young woman as well, they just don’t take anything you say seriously and you feel it in the way they talk to you. I faced this when I had to register my business and attend to things like that.

How do you deal with this challenge?

I think the main thing is to not take it to heart and keep going. You see so many incredible female entrepreneurs that have gone on to start businesses and succeed. Keeping in mind that there are people who have gone through worse before you and succeeded just makes you realise you can do this well.

Speaking of female entrepreneurs, who do you look up to and why?

I have two people that come to mind.

Sara Blakely, a really incredible entrepreneur and person as a whole. She’s a mother as well. She has an incredibly successful company and I just really appreciate the way she’s run it. The way she treats her employees and the community that she’s built.

The second is Lacy Phillips, also an entrepreneur who basically created her own formula for holistic living based on the principles of spirituality and neuroscience. She converted that into a course and built a successful business while doing so. I think what’s common about both these people is  that not only are they successful entrepreneurs but they put a lot of work into their own self-development as well and I think that makes them really cool holistic individuals.

What message do you have for young girls who look up to you?

Believe  in yourself no matter what. Believe in your ideas because, I feel like  your mind will always give you 1000 reasons why it won’t work out and sometimes it’s not just your mind but the people around you as well. Where I am today and my business itself, is proof that if you push past those negative beliefs and do it anyway there’s really magic waiting for you on the other side. You will continue to surprise yourself with how far you go when you truly believe in yourself.

How has your business been handling the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka?

That’s a really good question that we’re figuring out day by day!

I think one of the main things, that happens when you become an entrepreneur and start a business is you need to be willing to adapt and be flexible. I felt like me  cutting cost or changing my offering or even  transforming my business model altogether is something I needed to do it to adapt with the times. On a personal level you need to remind yourself that this is the nature of business and not just business but life as a whole. There will always be tough times and you just have to have ethe determination to go through it and also be able to adapt and pivot when needed.

What do you want your business to achieve next following the accelerateher program?

One of the main goals that I have for the business is to build our own production house and bring our production in-house. To have our own seamstresses and obviously to continue to expand onto to more outlets and perhaps  diversify our product portfolio as well to expand into accessories and things like that.

Being in accelerateher what are you most proud of in this program and why?

I think just being selected is an amazing thing for me . Just being part of this. I started Leo last August so I never would have even dreamt of being in an accelerateher program. I think what I was most proud of was creating and streamlining my pitch and then presenting it to a whole audience. This was about hundred plus people. I’ve always been nervous of public speaking so I’m really proud of myself for pushing through that fear and doing it anyway.

What was the most important piece of advice you obtained from the mentors a the accelerateher program?

I think the main recurring theme for all of them was drilling it into our minds to not play it small. Especially as women we tend to sometimes dumb ourselves down for societies sake and instead of doing that, they advised us to play it big and believe in yourself whole heartedly and just pursue everything you set out to do.

If you could tell yourself one thing when you were just starting out your brand what would it be?

Always put my mental health first and to never stop working on my own personal development.

What are you most proud of both professionally and personally?

The work I’ve put on myself to get to the mindset to where it is today. I know that if I did not do that inner work then my business wouldn’t be here today as well. They definitely go hand on hand so I’m just proud of myself for the fact that I’ve just kept on this journey of self-actualization and constant improving of myself.

Starting a business isn’t an easy task at all. It often requires time, courage and a lot of hard work.

Sashini Jinasena has shown despite the challenges with determination, perseverance and a drive to achieve, one can surely surmount the challenges and obstacles in one’s way and see success at the end of the day. We wish Sashini the best of luck for the rest of the upcoming program.

Accelerateher is a curated 3-month program tailored to your startups’ needs and growth objectives.

The program mentors and experts are individuals with deep industry, investment, and entrepreneurship experience, and have worked across all stages of a startup.

They’ll be on hand to guide you and your team towards your growth objectives.

Head on over to their website to learn more!

http://www.accelerateher.asia/

The post Hatch Accelerateher Alumni- Leo the Label by Sashini Jinasena appeared first on ChoKoLAAte Blog.

By Zuleika Buhar

Babies are no easy feat. Finding what’s best for your baby is even harder. Buying the best toys, and accessories can be extremely stressful. It has to be safe, fun and something your baby will interact with and enjoy! That is where True by Tina Lobo steps in. Having begun in 2020 True is an eco-friendly baby care brand that creates premium products for your baby angels to both entertain and occupy. Not only are these products eco-friendly but are also built to the highest safety standards to ensure the safety of your little one.

Being an alumni for accelerateher by Hatch we sat down with Tina and asked her some questions about what it feels like to be a female entrepreneur and how her journey has been thus far.

What makes True so unique from what already exists in the market?

When I started the brand, it wasn’t just about offering unique, premium baby products. It was about having long-lasting, safe, and eco-friendly products. We have very tailored design aesthetics. More than that we are a very inclusive brand, taking into account single parents, caregivers, and non-biological parents with our styling and look. Another unique aspect is that we’re a very conscious brand. Our focus is working with local products, building the community, and also giving back. With our brand, it’s all about giving back to our people. Especially with our proceeds as well which go directly to underprivileged children. 

What are the challenges you see faced by women in this industry, in Sri Lanka?

As a woman in general there are always so many challenges you face. In Sri Lanka, I suppose one concern I’m often met with, was being taken seriously.

My business which was always a passion project was always just called a side hustle. Even after it grew into the business that it is, I wasn’t taken seriously. It took a lot more effort to convince people that this was a real AND successful business.

How do you think you should overcome this stigma?

Somewhere along the way you need to build your confidence. Thinking of it from a business aspect, if you have an idea you need to persist. If you have that drive, you need to keep that confidence growing even if people along you are saying whatever it is. Persist and continue with your drive. Never lose your confidence.

If you had a message to give to young girls what would it be?

Stick on with what you have, because when I started True all I had invested was about 5000-10,000 rupees but I persisted with it. I had a lot of people questioning my idea. But this was my passion. If you find your passion, stick on and continue. When you are dedicated to that level, you can’t go wrong. Sure your qualities and abilities also have an impact on your business but to continue, is a decision you keep making. So to anyone aspiring to be an entrepreneur. Research. Find your passion and never give up. When you are driven. You always find a way somehow.

What do you tell yourself if you’ve ever felt like giving up?

There are always going to be hurdles and challenges and moments where you feel like you have hit rock bottom. You can give yourself a day or two to cry about it but then you pick yourself up. You have to have that confidence to know that your product has the potential to succeed. You can always try different methods and tactics if things aren’t picking up but you have to have confidence in yourself.

What is success in your terms?

I found business success to be not just profitability but creating value for the community. Building a brand that grows a community. 

If you could tell your younger self one thing, what would you tell her?

Maybe just take a little more risk! I was so possessive over my brand and project. I needed to push myself more. To go out and get it. The first year I treaded so cautiously. I was very risk-averse! I needed to be more confident in myself! 

Finishing off Tina tells us, 

“As a woman, we’ve been discriminated against in the business industry. Not being taken seriously till my husband or a man is involved. They have the existing expectation that simply because I am a woman, I can get walked over. Yet I persisted. I started this brand for my daughter. It was a balancing act, prioritizing my family responsibilities and my business. But when you have the right balance and confidence it all works out.”

An aspiring story, we know that True will have a lot more exciting things to come in the future. Looking forward to all its future endeavors and we wish Tina the best of luck!

Accelerateher is a curated 3-month program tailored to your startups’ needs and growth objectives.
The program mentors and experts are individuals with deep industry, investment, and entrepreneurship experience, and have worked across all stages of a startup.
They’ll be on hand to guide you and your team towards your growth objectives.

Head on over to their website to learn more!
http://www.accelerateher.asia/

The post Hatch Accelerateher Alumni – True by Tina Lobo appeared first on ChoKoLAAte Blog.