Success Stories
Business of beauty
Meet Lilian Wambui Waithera, a budding beautician. Ambitious from a young age, she
used to go to school and at the same time help raise her small siblings. Unfortunately,
her schooling was put on hold due to many competing priorities she however did not
give up on schooling. She instead for manual jobs to support her family. When word
spread about KYEOP applications, she jumped at the opportunity and was successfully
selected for training and internship at Vera Beauty College. It was there that she applied
for MbeleNaBiz grants and was later on successfully selected for grants. She had
already done her assessment and market research. Lilian noticed that there was a gap
in the local market for a new beauty salon in the area and set upon opening Angels
strength beauty salon and Trends barber shop and spa. Lilian’s achievements through
the support of MbeleNaBiz under the KYEOP program not only give confidence and
hope to young girls in the area that they can make something of themselves, but all they
require and ask from us is also an opportunity.
Eco Roofing Tiles
Scientists estimate that 8 Million tonnes of plastic waste are produced every year but
only 8% of this is recycled while the rest pollutes the environment. For Eco Blocks and
Tiles Company, this waste is a resource. They collect plastic and glass waste around
the country and mix it with sand. The mixture is then heated and pressed to produce the
roofing tile. Co-founders Kelvin and Hope had already set up the business when they
came across the applications for MbeleNaBiz grants and they were successfully
selected.
Being a capital-intensive business, the firm used the grant money to purchase
machinery and a power stabilizer to lower electricity consumption. They also invested in
digital marketing and an inventory program for the smooth running of the business.
In future, the firm plans to set up a bigger processing plant and also venture into
franchising to meet the growing customer demands.
