January Kenyan Woman of the Month

Age 29

Suba, Homabay County

I am a 29 year old businesswoman based in Mathare North area in Nairobi County, Kenya. I am a member of Wanandege Women Cooperative. I run a business selling homemade peanut butter which I started in 2017. I am also a mother to a six year old boy.

What have been the major challenges in your life?

The major challenge in my life was lack of finances to enable me to further my studies to a higher level. After my O-levels, I was lucky to be engaged in a training program in a local organization where I got to learn marketing skills. I now use these skills in my business and other business ventures that I engage in with others.

For me, the most important lesson I learnt with the Pangea Network was the one on Basic Business Skills. From this topic I dream of the day my peanut butter jars will be stocked in major retail outlets not only in Nairobi but other major cities within the country as well. Starting a business, especially a food related business has its challenges. From getting certification from the public health on food handling, to creating labels for the peanut butter jars and actually getting retailers to add them on their shelves are some of the toughest things I have had to do to see my business grow. In the process, I have learnt what it takes to run a successful business in Kenya and it is my dream to have a successful one.

For me, the most important lesson I learnt with the Pangea Network was the one on Basic Business Skills. From this topic I am proud of my ability to start and run a business. It has enabled me have purpose in life so I can provide for my family and aspire for better opportunities in future.

Before Pangea, I was struggling to make ends meet even as I was raising my child. I got to join Wanandege women group which is a women cooperative consisting of women running small businesses. I got insights from them, got an outlet for some of life’s frustrations and we also built ourselves economically by way of contributions towards savings and merry-go-round. When we got to partner with Pangea Network, I learnt a lot and the loan I got afterwards boosted my business.

The topic that was most important to me during the empowerment training was the one on Marketing. My peanut butter business requires me to market it extensively to reach more customers. Initially, I carried the peanut butter packaged in 200g, 400g and 800g jars and displayed them alongside other businesses in markets or shopping centres wherever I could get space. Interested customers would come and inquire about it and they would buy and even make orders. I produced more as demand increased. Knowing where most of the customers come from, I have now embarked on the step of getting the peanut butter to mini-retail stores. The only obstacle I currently face is obtaining the quality standards mark from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS). Once I get that, I will be able to label the jars and distribute them in the stores that have already accepted to put the peanut butter on their shelves. I am also exploring other marketing strategies such as online selling and direct deliveries to customers that would like the service.

I have developed an eye for opportunities around me. I find myself supplying various commodities and services to people that may need them. I have been able to do this by interacting with many people and finding out their needs. These days people call me ‘Jack of all trades.’