02/06/2026
CELEBRATING ZAMBIAN EXCELLENCE ππΎπΏπ²
What if we told you that one of Zambia's most loved cafΓ© brands started in a home kitchen?
Before Meraki became a household name, before the cafΓ©s, before the retail products on supermarket shelves, there was a woman with a vision, a willingness to start, and the courage to leave certainty behind.
Today, we celebrate Chomba Mwansa Founder and Managing Director of Meraki, one of Zambia's most admired homegrown brands.
Chomba's journey did not begin in the food industry. She built a successful career in banking and enterprise development, gaining valuable experience in strategy, leadership, and SME growth. Yet despite a promising corporate career, she chose to pursue a dream that many would have considered risky.
In 2008, she started Meraki from her home kitchen.
What followed was not overnight success, but years of commitment, learning, adaptation, and perseverance.
Today, Meraki has grown into a respected Zambian brand with multiple locations across Lusaka and products distributed through major retail outlets nationwide. What started as a small idea has become a business that creates jobs, serves communities, and inspires entrepreneurs across the country.
Her impact has not gone unnoticed..
π Zee Woman Entrepreneur of the Year (2024)
π Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) Alumna
π Recognized advocate for entrepreneurship, youth development, and women's economic empowerment
But perhaps the greatest lesson from Chomba's story is this: You do not have to start big to build something great.Every successful business begins with a decision.
A decision to start. A decision to continue.A decision to believe.
Lessons for Young Entrepreneurs:
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Your current circumstances do not determine your future.
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Skills gained in one industry can create opportunities in another.
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Growth requires patience, systems, and consistency.
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The brands we admire today were once ideas nobody else could see.
At Empower 360, we celebrate leaders who are not only building successful businesses but also inspiring the next generation to think bigger, dream bolder, and act with purpose.
Chomba Mwansa, your story reminds us that entrepreneurship is not simply about creating products, it is about creating possibilities.
What is one lesson from your journey that every young Zambian entrepreneur needs to hear today?
