Brewing Success: The Transformational Journey of Keddy Botanics

Keddy Grace Njiru is the founder and managing director of Keddy Botanics, located in Nairobi. Keddy Botanics is an agro-processing company specializing in herbal teas. Their flagship products include organic guava tea and blended organic guava tea infused with cinnamon. Keddy's strategic goal is to combat lifestyle diseases by providing natural, health-promoting beverages to the market. 

“The main challenge I faced is access to market and finance.” Keddy said. Facing challenges in accessing finance, markets, and low sales due to a lack of understanding of her target market, Keddy sought solutions to propel her business forward. She joined The Spearheading Sustainability of Women SMEs Program to acquire essential skills and support to overcome these obstacles. 

Through the program, Keddy underwent a profound transformation. She learned valuable skills in resource management, discovering ways to save on electricity, water, and efficiently manage waste in her production process. Understanding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles became her guiding light. 

Equipped with newfound knowledge and confidence, Keddy believes she can boldly pitch her business to potential investors, applying ESG elements seamlessly, she has a vision and commitment to sustainability. While direct access to finance remained elusive, the pitch deck formulation provided her with a powerful tool to navigate the investment landscape.  

As the lessons from the program took root in her business, Keddy witnessed tangible results. Cost-saving measures and environmentally friendly practices not only reduced operational expenses but also minimized her company's ecological footprint. She now pays keen attention to vehicles transporting her raw materials to make sure they are environmentally friendly. The program has also enabled her to create awareness of her brand. 

Moreover, the business exposure tour organized by Taka Taka Ni Mali, as part of the program, deepened Keddy's understanding of market dynamics and introduced her to a diverse network of entrepreneurs. “The exposure tour has introduced me to a diverse network of entrepreneurs". She now knows of organizations like Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) that could open networking opportunities for her. 

With each milestone achieved, Keddy's business is seen flourishing and hopefully will expand its product line and reach new heights of success. Keddy Grace Njiru's journey embodies the transformative power of access to skills and support. Through her resilience and determination, she proves that with the right tools and mindset, even the loftiest dreams can be realized in the world of business