The entrepreneurial journey of 7FamiliasDairy in Bolivia

On the outskirts of San José de Chiquitos in Bolivia, a small family business has evolved into a flourishing artisanal cheese farm. Founded in 2019 by entrepreneurs William and Anita Kehler, 7FamiliasDairy began with no prior experience in cheesemaking. Their journey has been one of continuous learning, driven by a deep passion for cheese, remarkable perseverance, and a strong desire to contribute to their local community.

By reading books on natural fermentation and by doing their own research they discovered the possibilities to process raw milk into delicious products. Anita: “In the beginning, we had no background in dairy production. We started by milking and selling raw milk, but it quickly became clear that milk had far more potential. That realisation sparked our passion for cheesemaking. There are more than 4,000 varieties of cheeses in the world. They are grouped into seven families, hence the name: 7familiasdairy. ” Their high-quality cheese has found its way not only to foreigners that miss the cheeses of their home country, but also nationals have come to appreciate their cheeses.

Sustainable growth and job creation
While the enthusiasm and vision of the management team are strong, 7FamiliasDairy required advice in certain areas to take their business to the next level. PUM expert Maarten van Walsem played a key role in guiding 7FamiliasDairy toward a stronger, more sustainable future. He developed a tailored business plan and addressed critical operational challenges, outlined practical solutions, and laid out clear next steps. Beyond planning, he provided valuable instruction on how to adapt and update the business strategy over time, ensuring its relevance as the organisation grows. Roles and skills needed within the team have been defined, as well as creating new job opportunities that support the development of the company and contribute to the local economy. By building a strong foundation of talent, 7Familias can grow sustainably while generating meaningful employment in the community. Maarten will continue to provide online guidance to the team.

Future outlook
The couple has ambitious plans for their company. Their new cheesemaking factory has just been realised  where the taste of the place and the nature that protects the 7FamiliasDairy land can be explored by visitors. Furthermore, there are plans to start a dairy school on their farm where students will study the whole process, from animal feed to hygiene. In addition to the cheese store on their property, they also envision opening stores in other locations throughout Bolivia.

7FamiliasDairy exemplifies how passion, a deep respect for nature, and genuine love for the craft of cheesemaking can transform a modest initiative into a company devoted not only to production, but also to education, job creation and the sharing of knowledge with future generations.