Nyambura Munyua is the mastermind behind Thogithi Handmade, a Laikipia County-based community organization. Thogithi’s mission is to stimulate local manufacturing, boost living standards, and foster entrepreneurship, with a particular focus on female empowerment.
Thogithi encourages activities that take advantage of local resources and expertise to generate income and strengthen communities. The overarching objective is to foster a consumption of Kenya-made products, veering away from depending on aid.
Struggling with persistently cold feet, Nyambura, also the founding chair of the cottage industries association, sought warm woolen socks from her members. The absence of a solution inspired her to initiate a knitting enterprise. Starting with one knitter, the community rapidly expanded to meet increasing demand and presently supports 70 women.
The underlying business model revolves around making a societal impact, rather than chasing profits. Grants have filled the commercial void, ensuring sustainability beyond donor timelines. Despite the project’s success, obtaining funding has proved challenging, necessitating robust governance structures, community involvement, and legal parameters. Additionally, training and building the capacity of knitters has also been a herculean task.
With a background in supply chain and former experiences as a teacher and librarian, Nyambura wears multiple hats, including managing a CBO and a SACCO. She once fell victim to a land scam in Ruai, Nairobi, due to her failure to conduct due diligence, a bitter lesson in the importance of involving legal experts in deals. She also admits to making poor business decisions in a bid to compete with others, when the key is offering solutions that attract revenue.
Looking back, Nyambura advocates for financial frugality. She is shifting focus towards wealth creation and retirement planning. A previous habit of saving in banks led to repeated withdrawals, hindering her financial growth. She has since chosen to save under a Sacco and money market funds.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Nyambura advises prioritizing relationship building over grandeur, as customers value the experience over aesthetics. Start with what you have, envision your goals, and gradually work towards them. It is crucial also to cultivate a saving culture and make your money work for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Thogithi Handmade community based organization?
Thogithi Handmade is a community based organization in Laikipia County founded by Nyambura Munyua. It was created to empower local women and communities by catalyzing local production, boosting livelihoods, promoting entrepreneurship. They leverage local skills and resources to generate income, improve their living conditions, and contribute to community development.
What are the fruitful takeaways from Nyambura’s Ruai land scam experience?
Nyambura’s unfortunate experience in falling prey to a land scam brings out the importance of due diligence before proceeding with land transactions. It emphasizes the necessity of seeking legal advice, especially when carrying out such transactions individually. It’s generally safer and advisable to buy land under organized groups like a SACCO.
What business advice does Nyambura provide for startups?
Nyambura recommends lean startups focusing first on improving products and building lasting relationships rather than seeking pompous publicity. She also advises entrepreneurs to prioritize customer experience over aesthetics and use readily available resources to start their businesses. To ensure financial safety, make sure to have backup plans, and most importantly– cultivate a strong saving culture.
