Norah Muendo is the proprietor and the chief executive officer (CEO) of Nila Baby Shop, which she started from humble beginningsThe businesswoman revealed she started the business with a capital of KSh 14,000 and named it after her firstborn daughterHer retail stores in Nairobi and other towns feature over 70,000 baby and mother items from a variety of companies
UKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
Norah Muendo, Nila Baby Shop’s chief executive officer (CEO), started business as a hawker.
Norah Muendo started Nila Baby Shop after hawking clothes. Photos: Norah Muendo.
Source: Facebook
The businesswoman now runs five retail stores countrywide, having started her entrepreneurship journey from humble beginnings.
While opening her fifth branch in Meru, Norah narrated how she started the business from scratch.
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“If you ever doubt what God can do, look at me and stop doubting. In 2019, I was out there hawking baby clothes. In 2024, I am out here opening the fifth branch,” she wrote on Facebook.
How Norah Muendo started Nila Baby Shop
Norah revealed that she started the business with a capital of KSh 14,000 and named it after her firstborn daughter.
She noted that her motivation to sell baby clothes came after she struggled to find them when she was expectant.
When she bought her first baby clothes from the Gikomba market, she used them on her daughter.
She nearly gave up, but her husband provided financial support totalling KSh 200,000, which she used to open her first shop.
“I did not make much out of the initial stock of KSh 14,000. I kinda gave up, but my husband gave me another money that helped me get the stock,” she disclosed, as reported by Bizna Kenya.
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How did Nila Baby Shop owner market clothes?
The proprietor of Nila Baby Shop advertised her products on social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.
She joined mother’s groups on the platforms to attract clients. As the business expanded, Norah delivered clothes to customers in Nigerian bags.
She also has a website.
“All prospective and soon-to-be parents can now shop for baby supplies online,” a statement on its website read.
In addition to Meru, the shop has branches in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Mombasa. The retail stores feature over 70,000 baby and mother items from various companies.
It collaborates with over 150 retailers nationwide.
Norah Muendo’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs
Norah said the secret to selling baby clothes was meeting customer expectations. However, the business has its share of challenges, including dissatisfied customers.
To ensure the smooth running of the shop, she implemented an exchange programme in which customers are refunded if they are discontented.
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She employed over 40 people and advised aspiring entrepreneurs to research, find a market gap and sell products to a specific clientele.
Norah also noted prayers were necessary for the business to succeed.
Who owns Devine Collections?
Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported Mercy Maluli is the proprietor of Devine Collections, which mainly deals with men’s wear and accessories.
She founded the clothing line in 2013 with a capital of KSh 5,000 while still a student at Amboseli Institute.
The 33-year-old said that despite other businesses struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic, hers flourished.
She disclosed she made over 99% of sales during the difficult time when other businesses were shutting down.
Mitumba imports from China increase
In other news, China exported 16,952 tonnes of mitumba to Kenya, valued at KSh 2.768 billion, between January and March 2024.
Kenya imported 177,664.4 tonnes of second-hand clothes last year, valued at KSh 19.8 billion, down from 183,830.1 tonnes in 2022.
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Second-hand clothes are popular in Kenya because they are cheaper.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, current affairs journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
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