#47. Black Mamba Foods Founder and CEO, Claudia Castellanos – The Importance of Metrics and Accountability in Social Impact Companies

In this episode, Darren Reinke chats with Claudia Castellanos, founder and CEO of Black Mamba Foods. Claudia discusses how a decision to volunteer in Africa led her to find her life’s purpose, the importance of metrics and accountability for social impact businesses, how Black Mamba Food measures their impact, and how companies can expand their influence and make a difference.

Black Mamba’s range of chili sauces, chili pastes, pestos, chutneys and jams are all made with organically grown ingredients sourced locally, and “no added nonsense” - they don’t add any artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors. They source their fresh ingredients through Guba, a local permaculture NGO. Guba collaborates with 50 local farmers who grow fresh organic herbs and chilis for their products through regenerative farming methods. The direct positive impact of this partnership reaches over 1,000 individuals in Eswatini.

Show Notes:

• Claudia’s journey from growing up in Bogota, Columbia to starting a business is Eswatini, Southern Africa [1:02]
• Why Claudia originally hoped to never work with food again [3:36]
• Claudia’s quest to find her purpose [4:30]
• How Claudia became clear on her "Why" [7:47]
• Transitioning from part-time volunteering to full-time employment in Africa [9:42]
• The early challenges of starting Black Mamba Foods [11:22]
• The critical marketing strategies Black Mamba Food deployed to gain access to new markets [13:40]
• How Black Mamba Foods connected with customers and developed products for local markets [15:38]
• Black Mamba Food’s impact on the community [17:52]
• The future of Black Mamba Foods [21:43]
• Claudia’s advice for companies wanting to have a greater impact [23:40]
• The practical steps companies can take to be more effective in having an impact [25:22]
• Why you must run your business successfully to have a true impact [26:55]
• How Black Mamba Foods measures their social impact [30:54]

Links:

Black Mamba Foods Website: https://blackmambachilli.com/