Royal Life Biltong raising the bar for premium beef
Botshelo Khunwane’s biltong enterprise might be a cottage business but the young passionate entrepreneur is already looking to broaden her product range to include premium meats.
Founded only in February 2024, Royal Life Quality Beef Products, which specialises in the production of chilli biltong, operates from her home in Mmankgodi.
She explains that all aspects of the business; from the preparation of the meat to packaging of the final product, are done at her own premises, allowing for complete control over the quality and consistency of the biltong.
Currently, the company supplies its chilli biltong to three bars in the local area, including locations in Gabane, Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) and Mmankgodi.
Khunwane says bars have become regular customers, stocking the biltong as a popular snack option for their patrons. The positive feedback and repeat business from these establishments are a testament to the quality and taste of her product.
“I chose to supply bars because people who love meat are always there and beverages go well with meat. So that way I know my customer base and when to make the biltong, on which quantity,” she tells MonitorBusiness.
However, Khunwane has not let her location deter her to dream big as she is already looking to diversify her products.
“In future I’m planning to expand my offerings to include a variety of premium meats, including goat, game, and various cuts of beef,” she said.
“With a commitment to quality and innovation, I’m very sure to continue to grow and impress my customers. Whether you’re looking for biltong or something new, Royal Life Quality Beef is a name to remember.”
Already, Royal Life Quality Beef Products is a thriving business that has quickly established itself as a reputable producer of chilli biltong in the local market.
With a commitment to quality ingredients and a passion for cooking, the founder has created a product that has captured the taste buds of customers and is poised for further growth and success in the future.
According to Khunwane, they source their meat from a trusted butcher, ensuring that only the highest quality ingredients are used in the production of her Chilli biltong.
Asked how she started the business, the entrepreneur explained that it was born out of a combination of unemployment and a love for cooking, leading to the creation of a unique and delicious product that has quickly gained popularity in the local market.
She added that the business was self-funded from the beginning, with the founder investing her own savings into getting the operation off the ground. However, she is open to financial assistance in order to further expand and grow the business.
Despite this, Royal Life Quality Beef Products has seen significant success in a short amount of time, with a growing customer base and increasing demand for their products.
However, like other businesses, she said they sometimes face several challenges like not meeting the exact number of orders because she uses a small machine that does not make many packages. Equally, she says at times the meat is tender which leads to a loss because it’s not that much chewable.