Lebogang Mooka Uses Festive Season’s Busyness to Sell Her Award-Winning Rum
The festive season is often associated with relaxation and downtime, but for entrepreneurs like Lebogang Mooka, it presents a unique opportunity to make significant strides in their businesses. Mooka, the founder of MOOKA Rum, a South African rum brand, has found that this time of year is the perfect moment to sell her product.
During a recent interview with The Citizen, Mooka shared her insights into why the festive season is a prime time for business. This is the best time for business. I have been busy with In-Store Tastings in all the Norman Goodfellows stores around Gauteng. The demand is high during the festivities; this is my busiest time of the year, Mooka explained.
The success of MOOKA Rum is evident in its recent accolades. It was awarded the Silver medal at the London Spirits Competition, where it was recognized as the highest-scoring rum from South Africa. Mooka saw participating in the competition as an opportunity to establish credibility for her brand.
I did some research and found that there are annual spirits awards taking place all around the world. I entered the London Spirits Competition by completing an application form, paid the registration fee, and shipped a few bottles to London, where they conducted blind tastings with judges from around the world, Mooka said.
The journey to creating MOOKA Rum began during the 2020 lockdown, but it wasn’t until August 2022 that the product officially launched. Mooka, who has over 15 years of corporate experience, discovered her passion for entrepreneurship through her leadership roles.
Doing rum is my first attempt at business. I have been working in corporate for the past 15 years, [I] only realized my leadership capabilities a few years ago, she shared. Through achieving accolades and being able to lead successful teams, I realized that I have the ability to create and run my own business.
Mooka initially considered entering the gin market but recognized its rapid growth and saturation. Instead, she saw an opportunity in the rum industry, which had a gap in producers.
It was a risk, but an extremely great opportunity for me to introduce something that is ‘not so popular’. A lot of people do not know what rum is, so I challenged myself to tap into that market, share knowledge of the product, and sell a quality craft barrel-aged spirit, Mooka explained.
Despite her product’s success, Mooka faces challenges when it comes to getting MOOKA Rum into retail stores. Most of them say that they do not have shelf spaces, and some are saying they only stock well-known brands. This is something that the industry needs to work hard on—to make sure we make space and give new businesses an opportunity to be in this industry, she remarked.
Currently, MOOKA Rum is available at Makro Online, Norman Goodfellows stores in Gauteng, and online at Earthbound Distillery. Mooka hopes to expand her presence in retail stores across the country and eventually supply her product internationally.
As we approach the new year, Mooka’s plans for MOOKA Rum include building a dedicated team to support the brand’s growth. Her ultimate goals are to make MOOKA Rum a household name and to introduce her product to markets beyond South Africa.
With Lebogang Mooka’s passion, determination, and award-winning rum, it’s clear that the festive season holds immense potential for entrepreneurs. As she continues to navigate challenges and seize opportunities, Mooka is positioning herself as a rising star in the spirits industry—a testament to the power of following one’s passion and embracing unique business ventures.
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