Cultivating Success: “Growing Your Business” with Agromeljon’s Artisanal Flavours in Berat
Nestled in the heart of Albania, the region of Berat stands out as a wonderful area for farming with its fertile land, providing an abundance of fresh and diverse crops. The region is recognized for its rich and varied agricultural produce, making it a hub for flavorful and diverse offerings.
Renowned for its historical significance and strategic location, this ancient city has long been a famous center for trade, fostering connections and commerce throughout the region. Amidst its historical charm, Agromeljon stands as a cherished family business.
Specializing in the artisanal crafting of a diverse range of delicious treats, this local gem skillfully prepares a variety of artisanal-made delights. From tasty jams to savory compotes, dried fruits, nuts, mouthwatering marmalades, teas, and more, Agromeljon represents the essence of traditional craftsmanship intertwined with passionate entrepreneurship. Sourcing their raw materials from the fertile farms lying beneath the majestic mountain of Tomorr, Agromeljon ensures a farm-to-table experience, bringing the bounty of the region’s agricultural heritage to every product they lovingly create.
Empowering young entrepreneurs with Economic Recovery and Resilience
The path of Agromeljon crossed with the “Growing Your Business” (GYB) program, a transformative initiative under the Economic Recovery and Resilience Program by UNDP Albania. The program, tailored for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), aims to enhance skills, expand customer reach, and foster SME’s insertion into local and regional value chains.
The program pairs supported businesses with a trained and experienced business consultant who offers personalized tailored business management and development consultancy to each supported business. In addition, businesses are supported with transformed commercial images and a grant for capital investments or equipment.
The ultimate goal is to foster economic growth and resilience in Berat, leaving an enduring imprint on the local market. As Agromeljon journeys through this program, the business is confident to showcase the immense transformation achieved through the program, contributing to the region’s economic vibrancy and underscoring the program’s impact on flourishing enterprises.
Getting to know Agromeljon’s culinary charm
Meet Armela Qendro and Erjon Shahu, the passionate and dedicated couple behind Agromeljon, who bring both love and expertise to their artisanal venture. The name “Agromeljon” is a harmonious blend of “Agro” and “Meljon,” where “Mel” comes from Armela’s name, while “Jon” symbolizes her partner Erjon.
This fusion embodies the collaborative spirit of the dynamic duo, who not only share a business partnership for three years but are also engaged. This enduring bond forms the foundation of Agromeljon’s success, with Armela and Erjon smoothly combining their personal and professional lives.
Agromeljon’s origins trace back to Arjon’s mother, who initially cultivated products, gaining recognition from an organic food shop in Berat. This foundational experience, combined with Armela’s background as a food technologist and nutrition specialist, as well as the couple’s shared love of cooking, laid the groundwork for Agromeljon’s establishment.
Armela brings extensive practical experience, studies, and projects to the table, with a particular affection for lab work. As an agricultural food technology expert, she possesses in-depth knowledge of all food production aspects, from fruit typologies to oils, juices, and dairy. Her comprehensive understanding includes various techniques applied at Agromeljon, such as composting, drying, and jam-making, all of which she learned, practiced, and perfected in school.
Armela’s dedication was highlighted during her specialization in Italy from 2018 to 2019, where she received a scholarship for her outstanding performance in her bachelor’s degree at the Agricultural University of Tirana. Despite the challenges of the rigorous university curriculum in Molise and Rome, Italy, she remained committed to returning to Albania, showcasing her dedication as a motivated, accomplished student to establish her own business.
Thriving Through Transformation: Agromeljon’s Resilience and Insights from the GYB Program
The journey has not been without its challenges. Challenges to connect with the market, economic constraints, instability in sales, lack of business management experience, and the unpredictable impact of weather on fruit production have posed significant difficulties until now. Yet, Agromeljon has tried to navigate these challenges with resilience.
In the face of these obstacles, Armela and Arjon’s resilience found a strong ally in the “Growing Your Business” (GYB) program. Initially skeptical due to past experiences with other programs, they found the GYB program’s dedicated focus on improving diverse business aspects and, most importantly on improving their connections with the market proved to be immensely valuable for them The systematic approach of the GYB program, featuring personalized consultancy and training, became a catalyst in empowering Armela to refine her business awareness. Paired with Alketa, an experienced business consultant, this collaboration provided invaluable insights and guidance. The emphasis on business-to-business sales and the development of a unique visual identity for Agromeljon emerged as crucial lessons, shaping the trajectory of their business growth.
Reflecting on the transformation, Armela shared, “The remolding of our business’s commercial image stands out as one of the most beneficial aspects of UNDP’s support. Previously, we lacked a proper logo, never considered business cards, and our product labels were not only unappealing but also crafted manually, consuming a significant amount of time. The opportunity to revive our brand identity has played a critical role in boosting our confidence in marketing our products. Since the rebranding, we’ve observed a noticeable increase in interest, and our presence on social media has accumulated more attention, leaving a lasting impression on our audience.”
Additionally, the GYB program’s emphasis on social media as a powerful business tool to connect with the market has significantly influenced Agromeljon’s approach. Recognizing the transformative impact of disciplined posting, strategic methods, and effective techniques on platforms like Instagram, and GYB injected in them the importance of a powerful online presence. The program’s guidance on leveraging digital tools has played a crucial role in enhancing Agromeljon’s visibility, engaging with customers, and fostering substantial brand growth in the online sphere.
In daily operations, Agromeljon’s focus was primarily on production and sales, neglecting crucial aspects of business development. Alketa’s guidance brought these elements to the forefront, emphasizing the necessity of a holistic approach. This revelation prompted a shift in mindset, aligning Agromeljon with a more comprehensive business strategy encompassing production, sales, branding, marketing, and customer relations.
Furthermore, initially hesitant about financial investments, Agromeljon came to understand the correlation between calculated risks and substantial results. Realizing that strategic investments are integral to achieving significant growth encouraged a shift in their approach. Embracing risk-taking and investing strategically became cornerstones of Agromeljon’s entrepreneurial journey, demonstrating that progress often requires stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Armela shares, “The GYB program convinced us to invest in hiring someone part-time to handle cleaning, packing, and maintaining our production space. This decision not only transferred a significant workload from our hands but also proved to be incredibly beneficial, granting us more time to focus on sales and the overall development of our business.”
Financial management also emerged as a critical lesson for Agromeljon through their GYB program engagement. Transitioning from manual record-keeping to implementing sophisticated systems marked a transformative phase. This shift enhanced efficiency and provided a clearer understanding of their financial landscape. The new financial comprehension empowers Agromeljon to make informed decisions, contributing to the overall resilience and sustainability of their business.
Moreover, the GYB program played an essential role in elevating Agromeljon’s standards in food safety, cleanliness, and hygiene. The comprehensive training and technical assistance encompassed the implementation of the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) protocol. This training not only broadened their understanding of maintaining a safe production environment but also inspired a commitment to holding high standards in product quality. Agromeljon’s adoption of these industry-leading practices showcases the program’s profound impact on shaping a holistic and quality-focused approach to their artisanal production.
Agromeljon’s Commitment to Quality and Impact
According to Armela, the essence of Agromeljon’s value is rooted in its unwavering commitment to cautious process control, preserving the nutritional integrity of its products. What sets Agromeljon apart from competitors is its distinct focus on maintaining the genuine taste, aroma, and shape of fruits. Crucially, Agromeljon achieves this without resorting to excessive use of sugar or preservatives, underlining the dedication to freshness and authenticity. Armela underlines that this commitment to quality is the cornerstone that truly makes its products stand out in the market. Armela’s dedication to promoting healthy food practices goes beyond the realm of Agromeljon. Her passion for educating others on healthy eating habits, organic solutions, and diverse health issues is remarkable. Leveraging the power of social media, she strives to establish a platform where people can learn valuable insights, not only about their products but also about overall well-being. It’s worth noting that Armela, inspired and trained by GYB, now recognizes the significance of social media in amplifying her message and is actively employing it as a tool for sharing knowledge and fostering a community centered around health and nutrition.
Looking ahead, Agromeljon envisions further expanding business-to-business sales and cultivating relationships with local artisans and businesses. The commitment to quality and education remains at the forefront, with plans to showcase Albanian culture and promote the bountiful area of Berat through their delicious and healthy products.
Agromeljon’s journey with Growing Your Business isn’t just a business tale; it’s a story of perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit thriving in Berat. Facing ups and downs, Agromeljon stands out as a symbol of artisanal excellence, adding richness to the scene of local businesses in Albania.
Today, equipped with a crystal-clear vision, fortified business intellect, an aesthetic commercial identity, and enhanced productivity from strategic equipment investments through the capital grant, Agromeljon is confident for success. Thanks to the transformative influence of UNDP, the venture stands not only stronger but also more resilient than ever before, drawing a trajectory toward enduring success in the heart of Berat.
If you’re around Berat, don’t miss out on the chance to savor the passionately crafted flavors at Agromeljon.
Plus, you can easily get their delicious offerings delivered to your door by placing orders through their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agro_meljon__/?hl=en