In a world where education is often hailed as the key to success, Fikirini Katana, a Form One dropout, defied conventional wisdom to establish himself as a flourishing entrepreneur in the world of landscaping.
Over the course of three years, his business, Mnarani Garden Centre, has not only transformed gardens but also Katana’s life trajectory.
Katana’s story begins with an innate love for flowers and gardening that took root during his formative years.
Captivated by the allure of well-tended flower gardens, he found himself drawn to the delicate art of cultivating and nurturing these natural wonders.
As his fascination grew, so did his skills, and he found himself pruning and tending to gardens whenever he could.
However, it wasn’t until a chance encounter with a neighbor who rewarded him for helping plant flowers that the seed of entrepreneurship was sown.
That initial payment was a revelation, opening his eyes to the potential of transforming his passion into a business.
The money earned from that endeavor was a catalyst that propelled him into action.
With that newfound motivation, Katana embarked on his entrepreneurial journey, focusing on crafting unique flower pots using unconventional materials such as sand, coral chips, cement, ballast, and water.
This distinctive approach set his creations apart from the commonplace clay plant containers prevalent in the market.
His innovative spirit began attracting attention, and soon he was undertaking projects that went beyond pots—landscaping became his canvas.
From time to time, Fikirini Katana generates around Sh100,000 a day from a single agreement involving the creation of flower pots and the revitalization of affluent individuals’ gardens.
‘‘It has been three years of hard work. When I started, I only did small jobs in Kiwandani and other sprawling villages within Kilifi town, but, now, I have established myself and clients are coming to buy the pots and sometimes I get orders to do landscaping in private homes,” he said.
Drawing inspiration from the allure of well-manicured gardens, Katana started accepting contracts to rejuvenate gardens for affluent clients, including prominent figures like soccer star MacDonald Mariga and Tawfiq Balala, among others.
“I did a landscaping job for Mariga in one of his homes in Vipingo Ridge and he was happy. Mr Balala has also been a regular buyer of my pots,” he said.
Despite his rapid rise, Katana remains grounded in the challenges of his craft.
Crafting a large pot, for instance, involves a week-long process to create the mold and an additional two days for the pot to be ready.
The pricing of his creations varies, taking into account factors such as size, materials used, and the labor invested.
His commitment to quality and uniqueness has led to pots selling anywhere from Sh2,500 to Sh10,000.
Moreover, Katana’s prowess isn’t confined to pots; his landscaping services have also garnered acclaim.
The prices for his landscaping services range from Sh25,000 to Sh70,000, depending on the intricacy of the project.
“Some designs are complicated and need well planned arrangements. For such jobs, I charge higher rates,” he added.
His eye for design, meticulous planning, and dedication to delivering excellence have earned him a reputation that extends beyond his local community.
