Mazen Kalssli -Nawa from Levanta
Mazen Kalssli -Nawa from Levanta #1
Describe yourself and your project. How did you get the idea?
Date seeds coffee has its roots in the Middle East, and is used for centuries! It’s one of the few traditional drinks in this region, and is thus very special. Despite its main advantage of being naturally caffeine free drink, Dates seeds coffee is rich with vitamins, minerals and fiber. The drink is produced by roasting and grinding the seeds exactly like ordinary coffee beans and prepared using (filter machine, French press, boiled).
Who are you? Previous education/jobs/ experiences etc.
34 years old Palestinian born and raised in Dubai. I live in Sweden from 5 years and carry its nationality. Fresh graduate from Lund University with a Master Degree in Entrepreneurship and innovation. I also have bachelor degree in Business Administration (Marketing Major). Work experience in sales and marketing for over 10 years with speciality in media & advertising (Print, Digital, Outdoor, TV, Radio, Social Media), Dubai. Work experience in Sweden for two years.
What will you do during these three months? How will you spend the time?
The coming three months will be spend working on importing the first batch of the product which is 300KG packed in 250 grams bags. Also editing the final packaging and order the first printing. In addition, it will be used to activate and build the website. Some marketing and sales meeting will take place if there is still time left.
What do you expect to achieve during Leapfrogs?
I want to increase the awareness of the product and the company brand. Also, I want to try to get some funding support from LU Holding or any investor who is interested to be part of the project. My main goal is to bring the final product to the market and have two channels of sales (Retails and online). The business potential is High and I believe I can break even from first 3 months.
Mazen Kalssli -Nawa from Levanta #2
Tell us what you have done on your project so far during the Leapfrogs time.
- In the last 3 weeks, I have activated the bank account of the Company through SEB.
- I also contacted 3 potential retails that can be one of my sales channel and their feedback was positive to sell the products when I receive the first batch.
- I was working on the final touches of the packaging design and have added the Swedish text to it.
- Meeting in Almi has taken place to discuss taking a loan with them on 6% interest rate.
Has everything gone according to the plan? Has anything unexpected occurred? Has something been easier/harder than expected?
The bank account opening and the changes on the packaging design were easy process with no complications.
The contact with the three retails has taken some times for them to respond but finally I was able to talk to them and discuss the business opportunity between us.
The meeting with Almi was positive and will be follow with 2nd meeting soon for the financial discussions and the required competences am looking for in the comping period.
What will you focus on during the remaining time? Will you follow your original plan or has anything changed along the way?
I’m waiting to set up a meeting with Arbetsförmedlingen to apply for aktivitetsstöd hoping to have financial support for 6 months. The problem is that they are taking time to give a meeting, in addition summer time make things slower.
Another thing I will focus on the coming period is to approach more retails that can be potential to sell the product. Finally, I want to finalise the discussion with Almi to know their final decision to fund me and what competences i can get to help my start-up.
Mazen Kalssli -Nawa from Levanta #3
How did you experience the three months?
I benefited from the guest lecturers telling us about their journeys in entrepreneurship, Their success and failures. I had some progress on my project but wasn’t as fast as I wanted too. Working alone is kind of hard and boring sometimes but I have to do what am doing because I see the potential out there in the market for such product and I want to reach the proof of concept phase hoping to reach the big break through moment in near future.
What has been hardest/most enjoyable?
Hardest is to work alone and also to allocate the needed budget for the first batch.
Most enjoyable is when I see people reaction when trying the product and them believing in its potential. Also, when talking to other entrepreneurs that chasing their dream the same way am trying to chase mine.
Did it go as expected? Will you continue working on your project in the future?
I wasn’t really expecting anything in particular but maybe more workshops with other entrepreneurs, collaboration and group tasks would’ve add bit more to the program.
I will proceed with the project for the coming few months and see how it goes .
What would you say is the most important lesson learnt while working on your project?
Find the right people who is really committed as I am for the project is a success key element.
Do you have any tips to other” new” entrepreneurs?
Make sure that your working on an idea that people out there needed and willing to spend money on it.