Sarolyne Mwendia, a 40-year-old entrepreneur, made a bold move in 2019 when she left her role as a marketing manager at an iron sheet firm to start her own company, Mabati Bora Limited. Located along the Nakuru-Nairobi highway, the company has quickly grown into a thriving enterprise valued at over Ksh 50 million and employs 19 staff members.
Her journey into the male-dominated iron sheet industry was driven by both her experience and her desire to challenge gender stereotypes. Starting as a small distributor, Sarolyne transitioned into manufacturing within months, partnering with Peter Wainaina. She sought to prove that women could excel in manufacturing while also contributing to Kenya’s development goals under the Big Four Agenda.
Capital was her biggest challenge. Though she had a solid idea, convincing banks to finance her dream was difficult. Eventually, her persistence paid off, and she secured about Ksh 60 million in funding to launch the business. Today, her company specializes in producing different types of corrugated iron sheets tailored to customer needs, with ambitions to expand into East Africa.
Sarolyne acknowledges the challenges of competition and resource demands but finds fulfillment in being a role model. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to prioritize vision, research, and viable ideas over capital as the foundation of business success.
By WhoOwnsKenya