Café Deli founder Obado Obadoh has had it rough growing up. His father died when he was in form four and he became head of the family. He speaks to YVONNE KAWIRA about brewing chang’aa and growing up in Dandora
How was your childhood like?
I was born when my mother was 14 years old. She had to dropout of school in lower primary and venture into farming to eke out a living. My father was a teacher, but he died when I was in Form Four. Following his death, I was forced to sell chang’aa, cigarettes and omena to raise school fees and money for our upkeep.
I was now the sole breadwinner for the family. I am now married with two beautiful daughters aged 16 years and four years. Having come from a large family of 17, I vowed not to have many kids.
How was it like to grow up in Dandora?
Life was hard. I learnt to coexist with all kinds of different people. I remember my next-door neighbour was the late Congolese singer, Moreno Batamba. Our neighbours were touts and petty thieves. The sewage system there was pathetic and we shared one toilet. What kept me going was a strong belief that one day I would succeed and make it in life. I saw many of my friends lose hope and get into alcoholism. I had to keep sane.
What happened next?
After finishing high school, I decided to look for a job instead of pursuing further education. I believe this is what shaped me into who I am today. I have no regrets and don’t take anything for granted.
What was your first job after high school?
I was employed at The Norfolk hotel as an apprentice chef. This was in 1990 and all I needed to qualify for this position was a Form Four certificate. I worked as a pastry chef for four years before moving to Safari Park Hotel and later to the Sarova group of hotels.
Café Deli is quite the brand in Nairobi’s coffeehouse market. How was it founded?
I always wanted to run my own business. I tried several businesses that failed. But I did not give up. In 2004, I started a cake shop in Westlands with a group of investors, targeting the middle class. After some time, I opted out and sold my shares for Sh800,000. This was the capital I used to start my business, Nanjala Ltd, which is the brand behind Café Deli. It was not easy, but I am happy that the effort is now paying off.
You opened your latest branch in September last year, what’s your motivation?
Growing up, I hated poverty. I hated herding cows in the village and brewing chang’aa to take care of my family. I work very hard to ensure poverty will never be part of my life ever again!
What would you say has been your defining moment?
I remember in 2011 when I learnt that one of my pastry clients wanted to sell their business. This scared me because they were my biggest customers. I was not sure the new owner would retain me as a supplier. So, I decided to buy the restaurant. It was a huge decision but I took the risk.
The asking price was Sh18 million, but I negotiated it down to Sh12 million. All this time, I had only Sh40,000 in my account! I remember leaving the meeting sweating. So, I set out to look for the money to close the deal, but the banks could not advance me the amount. This is when I bumped into financiers who agreed to raise the capital to purchase the restaurant under Private Equity fund (PE).
Any regrets in life?
I skipped class seven. I was a very smart student but I still feel that I could have learnt a lot in one year. I missed a certain stage in my life.
What are some of the lessons you have learnt?
I have learnt to take risks. I took a huge risk venturing into that Sh12 million deal, but it paid off. I have also learnt that if you make good products and never compromise on quality of the service you offer, you’ll have a loyal customer base. Further, I’ve learnt that it is important to pay your debts. Finally, it’s about sticking to what you know best and expanding it. Most people make the mistake of doing so many things at the same time.
