Raw materials for natural beauty products

Mercy

Nairobi, Kenya

100% repaid

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How it Works

Entrepreneur

Name

Mercy

Member since

January 2019

On-time repayments

37 installments • 65%

About Me

My name is Mercy Kariuki, I like to use my ethnic name Nyauci as it is a rare name in my country. It is from an almost extinct tribe from The Rift Valley called Dorobo. I am the eldest in my family of four siblings.
As a child, I suffered from a heart condition that required me to be medication for life. However, a miracle happened and I got healed of the condition. Needless to say, I disliked medicine and injections, having had them as a lifestyle for nearly twenty years.
My father was a Naturopathist and when helping him, I picked a few natural remedies for common ailments. These I carried on into my adulthood and developed a liking for natural remedies rather than medicine. In my circle of friends, I was referred to as "The Queen of Concoctions"! Many of my friends would consult me for a concoction for one ailment or another.
With time, I developed a real interest and started researching on making concoctions and even came up with a few of my own. I also gained interest in making natural cosmetics, which I now intend to pursue perfection.

My Business

Natural products for wellness, health and beauty is the business I am in.
The market is now appreciating natural products and making a gradual shift from chemical-based products to natural products. The demand is now growing for natural remedies and cosmetics as well.
Currently, the business is in its infancy so costs and revenues are low but gradually growing. I am supporting this venture with income from my other businesses (home baking and corporate training) and the funds I have been getting from Zidisha. I reinvest the small earnings I get from sales as there is a need to grow the business.

Loan Proposal

I need to buy Shea Butter and Coconut oil as part of my raw materials.
Cost of Shea butter - $20 per kilogramme
Cost of Coconut Oil - $15 per kilogramme

I purchase most of my raw materials from organized women groups in the Coastal and Rift Valley areas of Kenya to boost their businesses and improve their livelihoods.