What should we do when children don't eat fruit? Let's dry it out!
Sophie and her two sisters answer this question logically. Perhaps back then, at the kitchen table, they could never have imagined that this answer would lead to the founding of an exemplary company.
Instead of pursuing a musical career, Sophie now writes television interviews as an entrepreneur, and in the process, she even becomes a source of inspiration for others.
Sopho, along with her two sisters and their employees, uses local fruits and produce to make various types of dried fruits, candied fruits, chocolate, and tklapi – a unique Georgian dessert made from fruit skins. The products are sold both in their own market and through retail.
My story
Our company was actually created by accident. During the harvest season, we often had a large amount of fruit left over that our children no longer ate, so we started drying the fruit. And here’s the surprise – everyone loved the dried fruit! We continued to experiment on the kitchen table, and my father even built us a drying oven for the fruit. Soon, the demand for our product grew not only in the family, but also in souvenir shops and hotels in Old Tbilisi. For the first three years, we managed everything independently, although during this period we also faced many challenges.
When we increased the scale of production, we suddenly discovered that our dried fruits were damaged by moths – this was a big shock for us! A dried fruit producer in Armenia taught us how to store the fruit so that this would not happen again.
Shortly after this news, I also heard about BPN Georgia. The seminars quickly convinced us that as entrepreneurs, we could only move forward if we fundamentally changed our approach and brought our management to a professional level. We managed to do all this: today we already have our own stores in the three largest cities of Georgia. Our products are sold in stores, hotels and even in airport duty free!
Our future goal is mass production and export. We have already found a large area, which we are equipping with all the highest hygiene standards, and we are also purchasing the appropriate equipment.
What was your first thought when you heard about BPN?
When I first received the invitation to attend the seminar, the word Switzerland caught my attention the most. For me, Switzerland is associated with success, development, and hard work.
What coaching experience has had the greatest impact on you?
One of the most interesting and memorable experiences for me was when a confectioner from Switzerland visited us and helped us a lot in developing a line of chocolate-covered dried fruits. Two years later, in Switzerland, together with the same confectioner, we had the opportunity to participate in a training program.
How have you changed your environment through your own actions?
I have become a source of motivation for other people. When I tell my story in TV interviews, I show other people that they too can do the same thing I did - have the courage to start something new!
What is the biggest lesson for you?
There is a solution to every problem. When a problem arises, I have to look for ways to solve it in my own head.
