Mum in Business : Keyara Organics Founder, Terryanne Chebet
Introduce yourself – tell us a bit about yourself and your business
I’m Terryanne Chebet, Journalist and budding entrepreneur, a dreamer, doting mother, aspiring chef, believer of love, fascinated by great thinkers and an avid reader.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
1 daughter, Imani who is 10 years old
How many selfies do you take daily of your child?
Oh I don’t count. But I make sure I capture all the beautiful memories.
Tell us about your Business
When and why did you start your business?
Keyara Organics started on December 2014. Both are segments I am passionate about, and I created both to fill certain needs in the market, and both were built with the African brand and African woman in mind. I found a partner to build Scarlet Digital with; she is my co-director and MD of Scarlet Digital, Emily Njagi. We are excited about the prospects of a woman owned agency in a male dominated field. She speaks for Scarlet now, as she is the MD.
Please share the main need/gap your business is filling in the market and who your main customers are?
Keyara Organics is really a celebration of Africa. Our aim is to create products that are natural and proudly African. Our continent is home to the most premium oils and butters, and as the world embraces more organic products, we are excited to be counted as a provider of note. We are part of Africa’s new narrative, wearing our Africa proud through quality products.
Do you have any special services for pregnant women or new mothers?
Shea Butter is a must for every mum as it relieves stretch marks to sore nipples, we believe it is God’s blessing to women and their little babies as our shea butter has absolutely no additives, no scents, no preservatives, just how God wanted it to be.
Now how can you beat that?
The ‘art of the start’ is often said to be very difficult – what was the hardest part about getting your business off the ground?
The hardest part was self doubt. Starting a business I knew nothing about scared me enough not to roll it out as fast as I should have, but I’m thankful to friends and family, who are usually my first guinea pigs, they believed in me even when I was losing courage and pushed me on with their love for the products.
What is the most rewarding thing about being an entrepreneur in Kenya? And the most frustrating?
The most rewarding thing for me is ability to create jobs. I always wanted to make a difference and I think this one has been the most rewarding for me. The most frustrating is running a business on bootstraps.
Is this your first business idea you have tried, or have you tried others previously?
No I once tried to start a concierge business. It died before it saw the light of day.
What is the nicest thing a client has said about your business?
Getting rave reviews and referring us to other clients, we were such a young business and hearing comments from clients about us was just what the doctor ordered.
Is there any advice you received along the way that you’re glad you ignored?
Many. But I’m glad I didn’t agree to sell of a stake of my business too soon. I need to fully understand the books, the customers etc, and now; perhaps after 5 years or so I will be ready to open up.
What do you like most about MumsVillage and what would you change?
I love that I can find most things I need as a mum and as a working woman. I wouldn’t change a thing!
Lastly, what or who made you most happy today?
A woman I met who’s doing a lot of community work with girl child education. She radiated so much passion.
