Sheena Paulus

What does your company do?

What does your company do? Tri Toad Nursery is a black woman-owned, Level 1 BBBEE agri-enterprise specializing in the large-scale commercial production of vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings. We serve a broad client base that includes commercial farmers, garden centers, retailers, landscapers, and local distributors. Our offerings also include organic vegetable farming, agro-processing under our YOLI brand, and cut flower production for local and export markets. Currently, we are in the process of acquiring Landorf Nursery, one of the most established seedling producers in the Western Cape. This acquisition will position Tri Toad as one of the largest commercial seedling producers in the country — and the only black woman-owned business of its kind in the industry. This historic move will not only expand our production capacity but also reshape representation in South Africa’s horticulture and agri-processing sectors. We are committed to sustainability through the integration of solar power, hydroponics, and organic practices, while empowering our community via job creation and mentorship. Our registered non-profit arm, the Tri Toad Socio-Economic Empowerment Foundation, focuses on food security, skills development, and community upliftment in the Philippi Horticultural Area.

What is your biggest success?

Our biggest success has been building Tri Toad Nursery from a small, grant-supported operation into a thriving and scalable business, now in the process of acquiring Landorf Nursery, one of the largest commercial seedling suppliers in the Western Cape. This acquisition will make Tri Toad the only black woman-owned nursery of this scale in South Africa. We’ve secured off-take agreements for chillies, flowers, and vegetables, launched the YOLI agro-processing brand, and created strategic partnerships with major retailers like Stodels and Buco. Our Level 1 BBBEE status, social impact foundation, and growing footprint in export markets make this not only a business success but a transformative milestone for representation, empowerment, and community development in agriculture.

What has been your biggest hurdle?

Our biggest hurdle has been managing cash flow while trying to grow a capital-intensive business in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Scaling a commercial nursery requires significant upfront investment in infrastructure, inputs, skilled labour, and logistics — all while maintaining consistent production quality. As a black woman entrepreneur in agriculture, I’ve had to work twice as hard to earn trust, secure funding, and break through systemic barriers. Access to finance has often limited how quickly we could grow, despite market demand and off-take agreements in place. Still, I’ve remained resilient — building strong client relationships, reinvesting every rand, and navigating the space with integrity and grit. The upcoming acquisition of Landorf Nursery is not just a business milestone — it’s a breakthrough moment against these very challenges.