Foodie ZuZanna Barnard turns healthy food passion into commercial Midrand success
From a small garage to supplying major retailers like Food Lover's Market, ZuZanna Barnard shares how nine years of hard work built her wholesome food brand.
ZuZanna Barnard, founder of a Midrand-based business specialising in healthier food alternatives, has proved that nine years of early mornings, late nights, and experimenting with ingredients pays off.
Her business, ZuZanna’s Wellness, which produces no-added-sugar jams, condiments, rusks, cookies, and biscotti, started in a small garage with a big passion and has grown into a commercial operation.
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The self-confessed foodie, businessperson, and manufacturer has turned her love for authentic, wholesome food into one of Midrand’s most unique product lines.
“I have always had a big love for food,” Barnard told the Midrand Reporter. “For nine years, I built this… One batch at a time. Good food brings people together. I wanted a brand that South African families could trust on their table every day.”
From small batches to full-scale manufacturing, her brand has scaled to supply stores such as Food Lover’s Market and local supermarkets without losing the homemade taste that started it all. Barnard expressed what she felt was the hardest period in her journey.
“There have been challenges with production, cash flow, packaging, logistics, and damaged deliveries. There were many frustrating days, but I believed that one difficult day does not determine the future of the business. Each setback has forced us to improve something,” she said.
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She further outlined what is next for the business.
“We are building our business into a recognised South African brand, expanding our retail footprint, and strengthening our presence in Gauteng,” Barnard said. “We will continue to develop new products, and there is more I want to achieve with ZuZanna’s Wellness.”
She offered advice to young women who want to start their businesses in Midrand. “I think that they should start with something they genuinely believe in.
They must listen to their customers and must be prepared to work hard. Most importantly, don’t underestimate how far a small idea can go.
My business started small, and today our products are reaching customers and retailers in different parts of our city.”
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