Hodiah Chepchirchir is the founder of Chepchikoni Eateries, a successful food business that has grown into a chain of restaurants.
The mouthwatering recipes she posts on social media have earned her recognition from celebrities like Willis Raburu, Jalang’o, and Mashirima Kapombe, among others.
She has also partnered with brands such as Unga Soko.
This is her journey as told by WoK:
Early Life
Born in Kericho in 1994, Chepchirchir attributes her entrepreneurial success to attending boarding schools at an early age. It helped her develop skills such as responsibility, a positive attitude, and speaking for herself.
For secondary school, she attended Moi Girls and Nakuru Girls high schools, and later Busara Forest View Academy, where she sat her KCSE.
She then proceeded to Kenyatta University to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree.
After graduating, she tried several hustles.
Among her efforts to find a source of income, she tried severally to seek work in the gulf, but all her efforts hit a brick wall.
It was after her fruitless efforts that her brother advised her to venture into the food business.
From Roadside Meat Seller to Pork Joint Owner
Chepchirchir’s first venture in the food business involved selling roadside pieces of meat, such as chicken gizzards and chicken liver, on the Kenyatta University – Kahawa Wendani route.
As demand grew, she expanded her offerings and eventually established a pork joint. Despite the challenges of operating next to a bar, she persevered and built a loyal customer base.
“I would sell food to customers who came into the bar until around 3 am. The environment was understandably harsh, but I kept pushing,” she says.
Realizing the need to take a break and reevaluate her business, Chepchirchir temporarily stepped back from the pork joint.
During this period, she identified a problem in the market – bachelors who relied on unhealthy food options due to their busy schedules or lack of cooking skills.
Inspired to solve this problem, she started cooking for bachelors, providing them with nutritious and delicious meals.
The Birth of Chepchikoni
Supported by her mother, Chepchirchir officially launched Chepchikoni in 2017. The name “Chepchikoni” is a rough Kalenjin translation for ‘a girl who cooks in the Kitchen’.
Initially, the business operated as a cooking service, with Chepchirchir personally handling house chores and gradually transitioning to working in restaurants.
By 2022, Chepchikoni had expanded to owning two restaurants, one located at Ngong Road and the other at Thika Road.
Passion for Food and Cooking
Chepchirchir’s love for food and cooking is the driving force behind her success.
“I am a foodie; I love to eat. My favorite snack is fries,” she says.
She enjoys exploring different flavors and creating unique recipes. Her signature dish, which she named Kizomba, comprises fried pork tossed in homemade masala sauce with a topping of fries.
Each day starts at 7.30 am for Chepchirchir, when she checks her record books and plans her visits to the restaurants.
She personally ensures the quality of ingredients, engages with customers and staff, and constantly innovates her menu to keep it fresh and exciting.
Her favorite part of the business is coming up with new recipes, ensuring that customers experience something different every few months.
Notable Highlights and Lessons Learned
Chepchikoni has had several notable highlights, including a customer from California who ordered a meal of ugali and omena for Ksh 10,000.
“He just texted me on Instagram and told me he would be coming to Kenya. He asked me to take an Uber and deliver the meal,” she says.
This unexpected encounter reinforced Chepchirchir’s belief in taking risks and embracing opportunities.
Opening her first big branch was another significant milestone, although it required closing smaller ones.
Despite the challenges of managing a larger operation, she learned invaluable lessons from her mistakes, emphasizing that they are beautiful teachers that help us improve and adapt.
Her first online endorsement was from Soko Unga. It enabled her to purchase her first sofas for her house and better equipment for her business. Since then, she has partnered with more brands.
Looking back, she sees the content that led to her endorsement as cringeworthy and appreciates the steps she has taken over time.
Lessons for Success
One of her greatest lessons from her journey is the need to seek professional help when running a business.
“One of my initial mistakes was that I wanted to do everything myself. I wanted to be the cashier, waitress, cook … but I learnt that if I did everything myself, I would burn out,” she says.
Zoea Kusaidika.
By getting help and employing professionals to help her run the business, she could have an all-around view of what was working and not working.
Her mentor is Harland Sanders, the founder of KFC. Like him, she hopes to make Chepchikoni a countrywide franchise.
Beating Competition
Chepchikoni stands out in the food industry through its unique menu.
Chepchirchir creates her own recipes and even makes some of the ingredients, such as spices and barbecue sauce, from scratch.
She has also cultivated a brand personality that is funky, young, and bubbly. By sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her brand, she has engaged her audience and fostered a deeper connection.
With plans to transition into a countrywide franchise, Chepchirchir envisions a team managing the business and securing investors with her trademark recipes.
She also aims to empower other entrepreneurs through an empowerment forum, providing them with the skills and knowledge to succeed in their own ventures.
