Navida Natural Foods founders Daniel Mwai and Mette Larsel show some of their products during the interview with the Business Daily at the Nairobi International Trade Fair last week. Salaton Njau
By SIMON CIURI, s
IN SUMMARY
Investors tell how they formed solid partnership in life and business
A young couple sold their property in England for Sh50 million and founded a manufacturing company in Kenya. A year-and-a-half later, the duo is running a business that has defied many challenges to become a powerhouse both locally and internationally.
Daniel Mwai and Mette Larsel say the future initially looked grim but their resilience is now paying off through Navida Natural Foods Limited that is based in Bamburi, Mombasa.
The firm deals with the production of oil, soap and animal feeds from coconuts extracts. The pair saw a jewel in the manufacturing industry and went for it.
“Our closest friends laughed us off when we sold our property and land in England to come back to Kenya and start the coconut business,’’ Ms Larsel, one of the founders told the Business Daily at the Nairobi International Trade Fair where they were exhibiting last week.
She says they saw the potential in the market and moved to seize it.
“I had been involved in the food industry for over 20 years in the United Kingdom where I ran a restaurant. Being a regular visitor to Kenya, I saw an opportunity to try a new venture that many investors had not exploited,’’ Ms Larsel said.
The first assignment, she said, was to identify space to set up the structures, including a processing plant.
Today, the firm that started with a handful of workers can stand to be counted among top processing companies in Kenya, drawing clients from as far as the United Kingdom and Tanzania.
‘“When we started, we had less than 20 employees and it was really challenging given that few companies make profit during the initial stages. We banked on marketing and referrals and within four months of dry business, we started trading both in Kenya and Tanzania,’’ she says of a situation that almost saw them close shop.
Today, most supermarkets and high end hotels have embraced their products but a price had to be paid-—perseverance.
Mr Mwai, who is one of the founders of Navida Natural Foods, notes the advantage of venturing into an industry that you are compassionate about.
“My passion for coconuts was kindled when I went to a hospital in Norway and the doctor prescribed coconut oil for my arthritis. The product worked well and this motivated us to pursue the same path,’’ said Mr Mwai, who is also a professional event organiser.
Today, the two entrepreneurs have numerous products in their stable thanks to passion and hard work.
“Our products include virgin coconut oil, coconut water both natural and flavoured, Lite Coconut milk, Coco Feed for poultry, fish and rabbit, massage coconut oils and soaps,’’ said Ms Larsel, adding that they intend to introduce more products into the market.
But she did not disclose what type of products they intend to add to their range.
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