In the bustling entrepreneurial landscape of Nairobi, a young and determined businessman, Benedict Gikunda, has carved a niche for himself in the hospitality industry.
In 2012, armed with a modest sum of Sh80,000 from his savings, Gikunda identified a gap in the market – a niche related to fuel used in chaffing dishes during hotel buffets.
Undeterred by skepticism from many, including his own parents, he founded Alesha Brands Marketers, laying the foundation for his entrepreneurial dreams.
“Many people including my parents told me to stick to employment but I wanted to venture into business. I felt I would make more impact when I’m in business,” he recalled.
Gikunda’s early days were far from easy. He faced a lack of capital, few customers, and a general disbelief in his concept.
Financial institutions demanded extensive banking history before offering credit, a hurdle he navigated diligently.
However, the real test came between 2015 and 2017 when his business hit a critical low.
“Things moved from bad to worse when banks sent auctioneers. This was the lowest point in my life. I had to liquidate assets, let staff go, borrow money from shylocks at very exorbitant interest rates of up to 30 percent per month and run a shell company for months without giving up,” he says.
The turning point arrived in 2019 when the Youth Enterprise Development Fund recognized the potential in his venture and provided a crucial working capital loan of Sh2 million.
With this lifeline, Gikunda wisely invested in bulk stocks, optimized his operations, and digitized his invoicing system.
This strategic move not only streamlined his processes but also significantly improved collections.
”The credit facility from YEDF came in 2019. Because we had learnt from our past experiences, this time round we invested in stocks to help us serve our LPOs quickly,” he says
By December 2019, Alesha Brands Limited was supplying almost 100% of its invoices, a remarkable feat given its past challenges.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, he swiftly pivoted his business to cater to the soaring demand for sanitization products.
His company became a major supplier of alcohol-based hand sanitizer sprays and sachets. Gikunda’s foresight and ability to capitalize on market trends further solidified his position in the industry.
The entrepreneur also manufactures and brands hotel guest room amenities such as round soaps, shampoo, Lotion and general disposable catering products.
Some of his clients include Kempinski Hotel, Sankara Hotel, Getrudes children hospital, Carnivore (Tamarind Group), Aberdares Safari hotels, Chaka Ranch, Sirikwa Eldoret Hotel, Kasarani Sportsview Hotel, The Gastronome Caterers, wholesalers, supermarkets, among others.
Beyond business success, Gikunda’s vision extends to social impact. He plans to develop affordable products, particularly targeting the low-income segment.
His innovative approach involves utilizing specialized machines to package essential items like sugar in small, affordable quantities, ensuring accessibility to even the most economically challenged consumers.
