We had the good fortune of connecting with Joseph Mpalanga and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joseph, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Makassi is not just about making the best fruit juices in the world; we’re also dedicated to making a difference for women and creating opportunities for them to thrive.
Many women are becoming the primary breadwinners in their families, which means they’re looking for ways to create or supplement income.

Starting a business through the Makassi Women’s Entrepreneurship Program is a great way to do just that. We offer training, support, and resources to help women entrepreneurs throughout Africa get started on the right foot so their businesses can flourish and grow with in our ecosystem.

My vision is to create momentum for women entrepreneurs in the agri-business(production, processing, distribution, and education).

For my little story, I come from a family of 7 children and we spent 2/3 of our lives on the farm and my mother is a heroine of our life. There was a time when my father was no longer with us due to politics and she had to find a way to survive with 7 children. Throughout my life, I have always wanted to do something support women in entrepreneurship, thanks to this life experience with my mother.

My father, who was in the army, had to leave us to support the country. For those who grew up in Africa, you know what this means. Your family will be left without a support system.

From 1994 to 1998. She had to figure out how to support 7 children. Yes, I come from a family with many children living in a small farm. My mom was a farmer 🚜 but because of the war she stopped ✋️. When Dad left, she started thinking about how to provide for her children (food, school, clothing and health support). She didn’t have enough money.

She then had the brilliant idea 💡 to launch into the homemade juice business. She started buying fruits and making different kinds of juices. My brother and I helped her sell it at the small market in Kolwezi, a small town in Katanga in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Thanks to this, she was able to provide for her children’s needs.

From this experience with my mother, I knew that what she did not have was a financial support system, a manufacturer capable of making quality products, and proper business training.

From there, I had this vision one day an ecosystem that will support women’s.

When I had this opportunity to migrate to the United States of America. I still had my vision to put in place a business ecosystem that supports women.

This is how Makassi Beverages was born, and with it, the Tshiela Katende Anastasia Foundation with the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program, a branch of my business that supports many women in Africa Because many of them are still experiencing the same situation like my mother, or even worse.

For this I made this commitment to create a dynamic of support and work with women entrepreneurs in Africa, particularly in my country the DRCONGO. This concerns the creation of the “Makassi Women Business Club” under the Foundation. Makassi Beverages offer the technology and the Foundation the education and skills. We distribute our products in Africa, and America.

Together, we are changing our economy and bringing innovation with the women’s in the agri-business sector.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At Makassi we are dedicated to support the Women’s in our ecosystem of Makassi Women’s Entrepreneurship Program (WEP) is a powerful initiative I created to help empower women by developing business opportunities for women within Makassi Beverages. Women participating in the WEP receive business training and income-earning opportunities to help better their lives.

Makassi is not just about making the best fruit juices in the world; we’re also dedicated to making a difference for women and creating opportunities for them to thrive.

Many women are becoming the primary breadwinners in their families, which means they’re looking for ways to create or supplement income. Starting a business through the Makassi Women’s Entrepreneurship Program is a great way to do just that. We offer training, support, and resources to help women entrepreneurs throughout Africa get started on the right foot so their businesses can flourish and grow.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Colorado Springs. It gives me opportunities to discover nature and to also have a nice lunch or dinner at Broadmoor hotel. As I love to play goal and opportunity to spend time with friends.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My mother is my inspiration. She started a small business in our hometown of Kolwezi in the DemocraticRepublicofCongo. Where she was making homemade juices in the evening and sold them the next day in a small market. Where me and my brother will go after school to help her. She was able to support a family of 7 children with that small business.

Website: https://www.makassibeverages.com

Instagram: @joseph_makassi

Linkedin: Joseph D Mpalanga

Twitter: @josephmpalanga1

Facebook: Joseph D Mpalanga

Image Credits
Joseph Mpalanga

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutColorado is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.