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How Covid birthed organic foods enterprise

Smart Harvest
 

Magdalene, Muthee Osoro, the C.E.O of Mosoro Flour

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the whole world became health conscious - from eating a balanced diet to making healthy concoctions.

During this period, fitness enthusiast Magdalene Muthee Osoro was inspired to start making organic products.

"We realised that we had to take care of our own bodies. I started reading more about nutrition and I was able to create a number of formulation which were well accepted in the market," she says

Magdalene, initially in the hotel industry, started at home when the pandemic hit.

"With Covid, you see we were not very sure when we would resume work, because the government kept saying in 30 days, in 30 days. So, by the time they were opening I had begun something. So after a while when I was sure this would work as a business I resigned," she says.

She is now the CEO of Mosoro Afya Flours.

She started by making by healthier breakfast alternatives to bread and tea, beginning with pancake mixes and granola.

"We introduced our immune booster flour. Containing oats, peanuts, almond seeds, cassava and turmeric. It was well received compared to the cereals and the pancake mix," she says.

Slowly, Magdalene says that they were recognised as people who offered market solutions. Their porridge flour is their fastest-moving product.

Her products cater to people struggling with arthritis who get bone health porridge flour, diabetes health porridge flour, immune booster and men's health porridge flour.

"Kenyans love porridge, it is considered a nutrient-dense product. When someone is sick or lactating they would be given porridge," she says

Magdalene says that her products contain a lot of nuts and seeds because they are nutrient-dense products.

The male porridge product is the fastest moving.

"The product focuses on men's reproductive health. We created this product due to the market demand.

It's just good for maintaining good health even without having any health issues," she says

The men's health porridge contains; Mukombero (white ginger), pumpkin seeds, oats, almonds peanuts, sunflower seeds and cassava.

"Starting a business, you realise that you have to get out of your comfort zone because you are the one to deal with the landlord. But I had prior experience because my parents are entrepreneurs," she says

Another challenge is capital. Magdalene adds that without enough money one cannot have a good team. So far Maggie has two employees.

On getting bank loans, she says that loans are not the best solution.

"They will give you money that is not enough to cater for your needs. So it will feel like you are working for the bank," she says

Magdalene adds that she and other female entrepreneurs went through training that encouraged them to get grants instead of loans. For any business, the best source of income is your market.

The other challenge is how to increase production capacity and manage logistics.

"We do a lot of digital marketing. We sell directly to our customers," she says

"Our shelf life is very low because we use highly nutritious products. Our shelf life is 6 months, and supplying to supermarkets that will be a very short period," she says

Magdalene says that other retailers and distributors ask for very high margins which do not make business sense. So she opted to interact directly with the customers.

"Selling directly to the customers you are able to get immediate feedback then you keep improving," she says

Magdalene adds that though the growth is very organic and slow it is very stable and she's sure of where to put the money she gets from the customers.

The porridge mix range from Sh530-1350, and peanut butter from Sh500-200.

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