After losing his job in the aviation industry, Aloise Kimata needed a way to earn an income. At the time, he was unaware of what he wanted to do and tried various things until he stuck to chilli manufacturing. He is the CEO of Dorell’s Enterprise, a company that produces flavor chili blends.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
The conception of the idea
While out eating at a restaurant, he felt the food was not spicy enough. It was hot but the chilli had no taste to it.
This gave him the idea to start making chilli mixed with other spices for flavor. He started by conducting an in-depth research. There was need for him to know the right amount of spices so that one doesn’t overpower the other.
Starting the business and growth
The businessman conducted research in various places including YouTube. He then made a couple of batches and gave it to friends and relatives to try out. They gave him their reviews and he began the business.
Starting out, he would cook the spices in his home kitchen. After his family was done with supper, it would be his time to enter the kitchen.
However, he was contacted by Somo who help entrepreneurs with manufacturing at a small fee. He began using their facilities and undertook a free entrepreneurship course with them.
He registered the business in February 2020 and applied for the Kenya Bureau of Standards Certification. Weeks later, the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country and businesses were forced to close. He had just secured a deal with two restaurants and the closure affected him.
Nonetheless, he continued to get orders from clients who had loved the products. Today, he supplies to a variety of clients and the spices can be used with various dishes, such as, cabbage, matoke, meat and omena.
He hopes to begin packing the products in glass jars and to own his own manufacturing facility one day.
While there is competition, he believes one should standout. His products are completely organic without the preservatives that a lot of people put into theirs.
Advise
Aloise Kimata advice to entrepreneurs is that they should start and do it within their means. They should not be afraid to get burnt along the way as they can always pick up and go on.
The entrepreneur also feels that certification bodies need to be synchronized. There is no point in having so many different offices where one needs to go and make payment. It should just be in one place to make it easier for businesspeople.
