Tanzania - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Youth Grow Essentials: aka Project Yes is looking to Boost Tanzania's agriculture with digital tools, sustainable practices, and inclusive employment for young women and men, by enhancing essential oil production and promoting holistic wellness.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Essencer Naturals (ENs) is a dynamic startup dedicated to promoting high-quality essential oils from Tanzania’s rich and diverse flora. I founded Essencer Naturals to harnesses the natural abundance of the region to create premium, organic essential oils. Through ENs, I source high quality, naturally grown essential oils, leveraging sustainable and eco-friendly practices. This Startup is driven by commitment to empowering local smallholder farmers, particularly women, by integrating them into the value chain and providing fair trade opportunities. Using social media platforms, ENs effectively markets and sells its products online through Instagram, enabling direct customer interaction, mobile payments, and efficient local courier delivery. As a forward-thinking social enterprise, ENs to me is not just about supplying quality essential oils but driving social impact by enhancing livelihoods and promoting sustainable practices.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

Essencer Naturals project ("Youth Grow Essentials) seeks to address the pressing issues of poverty and youth unemployment in Tanzania. By organizing smallholder farmers into producer associations, providing them with essential financial and business advisory services, and leveraging digital platforms, the project will enhance productivity and create meaningful employment opportunities for young women and men. My approach not only aims to boost the income of smallholder farmers but to stimulate broader economic growth and development. Hindered largely due to inadequate investments in agriculture, leading to underdeveloped value chains and limited market access for smallholder farmers. By developing a sustainable business model that promotes investments in high-value essential oil production, this project strives to be the beacon change to this harsh reality.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Health and Wellness: Our essential oils are organic/naturally grown, providing numerous therapeutic benefits. They support physical and emotional well-being, from alleviating stress and anxiety to boosting immunity and promoting better sleep. Sustainable and Eco-Friendly: Produced using sustainable agricultural practices, our essential oils are environmentally friendly. By choosing Essencer Naturals, customers contribute to eco-conscious farming that supports biodiversity and reduces environmental impact. Empowering Local Communities: Every purchase supports smallholder farmers, particularly women, by integrating them into the essential oil value chain. This empowers local communities, creates employment opportunities, and drives economic growth in rural Tanzania.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

The targeted beneficiaries are primarily smallholder farmers in rural Tanzania, particularly on the spice islands of Zanzibar. We focus on young women and marginalized groups. Organized into producer associations to enhance their capacity to access financing, adopt productivity-enhancing practices, and link to profitable markets. Additionally, local communities will gain from the overall economic growth stimulated by the project, leading to increased employment and income levels. The project will also engage with local government institutions, policy makers, and other stakeholders to create a supportive environment for the essential oil sector, ensuring long-term sustainability and broader economic benefits for the region.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-01-01

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

0

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

Essencer Naturals (ENs) is a sole proprietorship. I own and operate this social enterprise with the help of part time employees and volunteers. With a strong background in law, I combined my expertise and heartfelt commitment to sustainable and inclusive development to empower smallholder farmers, particularly women, by linking them to profitable markets and enhancing their productivity while promoting the healing benefits of essential oils. By leveraging digital platforms such as Instagram, I have been able to market and sell products, ensuring a wide reach and robust customer engagement.

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://www.instagram.com/essencer_naturals

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

By creating job opportunities and supporting local economies through sourcing raw materials locally. And by fostering entrepreneurship and providing fair wages, Essencer Naturals aims to help uplift the economic status of the communities involved.

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

Through organic personal care products that are free from harmful chemicals, promoting healthier lives. Our products contribute to better skin health and overall well-being by reducing exposure to synthetic and potentially harmful substances.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

At Essencer Naturals, we actively promote gender equality by ensuring equal employment opportunities and encouraging women entrepreneurs in our supply chain. We focus on building and supporting work environments where women are empowered and given leadership roles, contributing to gender equality.

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Essencer Naturals drives sustainable economic growth by creating jobs, providing fair wages, and supporting local suppliers. Our commitment to ethical practices ensures decent work conditions and promotes inclusive economic development.

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

4

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

Essencer Naturals is deeply committed to the principles of the circular economy, focusing on sustainable consumption and production patterns. The company designs its products to be reusable, recyclable, and biodegradable, minimizing waste and environmental impact. By sourcing raw materials sustainably and using eco-friendly packaging, Essencer Naturals ensures that its production processes are efficient and environmentally responsible. Moreover, the company encourages consumers to adopt sustainable consumption habits by offering refills and promoting recycling programs. This holistic approach significantly contributes to the reduction of resource consumption and waste generation, aligning perfectly with the goal of ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns.

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

6

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Essencer Naturals combats climate change by adopting sustainable production processes, using eco-friendly packaging, and sourcing renewable materials. The company’s efforts to minimize its carbon footprint contribute significantly to climate action.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

Essencer Naturals strongly supports the sustainable use of natural resources. By sourcing ingredients from sustainably managed forests and promoting organic farming practices, the company helps protect ecosystems, combat desertification, and support biodiversity conservation. Their commitment to ethical sourcing ensures that the natural habitats are preserved and restored.

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

6

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

2

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

6

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

06.08 Justification for my startup

Essencer Naturals recognizes that many customers already use similar natural and eco-friendly personal care products. This existing market demonstrates a strong demand for sustainable alternatives to conventional products. However, our offerings uniquely respond to unmet needs by emphasizing not only natural ingredients but also local sourcing, ethical production, and community empowerment. Unlike competitors, we integrate regional traditions and provide refillable glass packaging, addressing both environmental concerns and cultural values. Our innovative loyalty program further sets us apart, encouraging recycling and rewarding sustainable practices. This holistic approach ensures that we meet a demand for truly comprehensive, ethical, and sustainable personal care solutions.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Essencer Naturals' main potential competitors are Nuya's Essence and Natural Desire. Nuya's Essence, based in Zanzibar, offers natural skincare products made from botanical oils, butters, herbs, and spices, while Natural Desire operates a natural hair clinic with its own locally sourced haircare line. What sets Essencer Naturals apart is our holistic approach to sustainability and community engagement. We prioritize not only the use of natural ingredients but also emphasize local sourcing, ethical production, and respect for regional customs and culture. Our refillable glass packaging and innovative loyalty program encourage recycling, further reducing our environmental footprint. Additionally, our strong focus on empowering local communities through job creation and transparent communication ensures that our business practices contribute to both social and environmental well-being, making Essencer Naturals a standout in the competitive landscape

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?