In the throes of the global lockdown of 2020, Wanatsha M found herself, like many others, grappling with the sudden halt to daily routines and the newfound abundance of time. For Wanatsha, this pause became the unexpected starting point of a delicious venture that would soon blossom into W-Donuts.
It all began with a 12.5 kg bag of flour. With restaurants closed and a craving for creativity, Wanatsha, already a passionate food blogger, turned her kitchen into a culinary playground. “I made pasta, cookies, scones, churros, and finally, donuts,” she recalls. It was the donuts that won her family’s heart, and among all her flour-based experiments, they quickly became her favorite.
The first lockdown ended, and Wanatsha returned to the University of Botswana to complete her final year of studying economics. Yet, the idea of those delicious donuts lingered. “I market tested with the students at my university,” she says. “I wanted to see if others thought they were as good as my family did.” The response was overwhelmingly positive, confirming that she had stumbled upon something special.
Wanatsha didn’t initially set out to start a bakery business. “I’ve always been an entrepreneur, but I never really knew what my final business would be,” she reflects. It wasn’t until she returned to Gaborone that she seriously considered turning her donut-making hobby into a business. “The idea kept coming back to me, and one day, I just decided to try it out. It worked out, not by miracle, but through a lot of hard work.”
The entrepreneurial spirit in Wanatsha had always been strong. Her food blog, where she shared recipes and restaurant reviews, was a testament to her love for food. “My donut business started because of that food blog. I was into food, and it felt like fate,” she explains.
What sets W-Donuts apart is not just the quality of the donuts but the creativity behind them. “We create donuts for every moment throughout the year—birthdays, religious celebrations, corporate events,” Wanatsha says proudly. This creative streak, combined with impeccable time management, has been crucial to her success. “Our clients know we are reliable. We rarely miss deadlines, and that consistency is key.”
Being a food blogger has honed Wanatsha’s skills in ways she didn’t initially realize. “I’ve been tasting, critiquing, and writing about food for years. It helped me find combinations that work and understand what makes great food,” she shares. Inspired by chefs like Jamie Oliver, she continues to explore, test, and refine her recipes, always striving for perfection.
Starting a business, especially during uncertain times, required strategic thinking. Location was a critical factor. “Financially, I was the sole investor, so my funds were tight. I needed a location that was central to my target market but still affordable,” Wanatsha explains. Finding the right spot was a balancing act, but it paid off.
W-Donuts is not just a testament to Wanatsha’s baking skills but also to her entrepreneurial acumen. From a single bag of flour in her parents’ kitchen in Kasane to a thriving business in Gaborone, her journey is a delicious reminder that sometimes, the best opportunities come when we least expect them.
“I eat a donut every day,” Wanatsha confesses with a smile. “I have to taste the dough every single day.” This dedication to quality and consistency is at the heart of W-Donuts’ success. As Wanatsha continues to grow her business, she remains grounded in her love for food and her commitment to excellence. And for donut lovers everywhere, that’s a recipe for success.
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