From a solo operation in a shade-netted corner of his parents’ backyard to 1 hectare of land, six employees and six growing tunnels each housing 10 000 to 20 000 herb plants, Herbal View Hydroponics managing director Basil Williams has grown his business over more than a decade – and he wasn’t going to let the pandemic slow him down.
“Over the years I have learned to think more like a businessperson and not only like a farmer – you have to innovate and diversify to ensure your farming operation remains a sustainable business in a highly competitive market. Even pre-Covid, when the economy was slowing down, we had to think differently and develop strategies to move into agro-processing rather than only supplying fresh produce.”
“Covid restrictions strengthened our innovation drive as lockdowns affected our business, limiting our access to markets, and so we got creative in taking our products online to make people more aware of us and tap into the enthusiasm for supporting local businesses in the tough times brought about by the pandemic,” he said.
Basil Williams, the aptlynamed MD of Stellenboschbased Herbal View Hydroponics, has taken his business to new heights.
Small shoots
From a small start of online orders, the Herbal View range of own-brand pesto, sauces, dried herbs, herbed salts and herb-infused oils, developed over the past few years and refined during Covid lockdowns, will soon be stocked on retail shelves in the Western Cape, while Williams continues to supply fresh herbs to wholesalers, retailers as well as other processors.
Williams was one of 16 participants in the Small Business Academy (SBA) run by the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB), and he credits the programme for “enabling me to get on top of my business, not just be in it”.
“I have been building my business slowly over the past 21 years and took it on full-time since 2014. I’ve been fortunate to have received government funding at various times to support me in leasing land, expanding and acquiring equipment. I applied for the Small Business Academy programme because I wanted to advance my knowledge and skills, especially in financial management and business planning, areas that I now feel much more capable in,” said Williams.
The SBA is a nine-month development programme aimed at empowering entrepreneurs in low-income areas of the Western Cape with the knowledge, skills and mentoring to grow sustainable businesses and improve their job creation potential.
Increased footprint
From his backyard start-up in Kylemore, Williams’ Herbal View Hydroponics is now a 3 ton-per-month business on a farm in the Lynedoch area of Stellenbosch, employing 6 people, including his business partner, sister Caroline Williams and Elroy Daniels growing and supplying herbs such as basil, coriander, rocket, mint, chives, origanum, thyme and rosemary, as well as micro herbs, garlic and baby spinach.
Some 70% of the harvest is now processed for Herbal View’s range of condiments and herbs and spices. The balance is packaged and supplied as fresh herbs and micro herbs to wholesalers, independent outlets and national retail chains including fresh produce suppliers Spar and Food Lovers’ Market.
He also supplies Boland restaurants and delis with fresh products, as well as supplying raw ingredients to manufacturers of herb-based products like Ina Paarman and Pesto Princess.
“My advice to entrepreneurs and start-up businesses would be to let your passion drive you. Work hard, and never give up no matter the challenges – if you fall, get up and keep moving. Always keep exploring, take on every opportunity and always be willing to learn from others,” says Williams.
