Nila Baby Shop: Owner’s Inspiring Transformation

Navigating the world of parenting is equally challenging, especially when it comes to finding the right products, such as clothes, for your little one. In 2018, this was the reality for Norah Muendo, a first-time mother struggling to find an all-inclusive baby shop. For that reason, she opened Nila Baby Shop and named it after her firstborn daughter. Her initial capital was Ksh 14,000, provided by her husband, and Gikomba market was her first stop.

However, she reserved the best stock for her daughter, and the business failed. “I did not make much out of the initial stock of KSh 14,000. I kind of gave up, but my husband gave me another money that helped me get the stock,” she disclosed.

A determined Muendo did not give up. She received additional capital from her husband, which she estimates was between Ksh 100,000 and Ksh 200,000, and used it to set up her first shop. Muendo marketed her products on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram by joining mothers’ groups. By August 2018, she had started a Facebook page for her business, and within months, she was already offering delivery services to her customers.

The hardworking Muendo moved around with large Nigerian bags to her customers’ homes to allow convenient shopping. It was not until January 2019 that Nila Baby Shop started thriving. In March of the same year, she was pregnant with her second child and was on bed rest, meaning she had to close her shop.

She continued to make deliveries while pregnant, and her sympathetic customers kept her business alive. She then hired her first employee, who sustained the business while she was in the hospital. However, her rental areas led to the closure of the physical shop, and she had to operate from home.

In January 2020, she reopened her shop and could focus on her business full-time. The now mother of four takes pride in branches in Nairobi, Kisumu, Eldoret, and Mombasa. The retail stores feature over 70,000 baby and mother items.

Critical Lessons from Norah Muendo’s Story

Norah Muendo’s inspiring journey with Nila Baby Shop highlights resilience in the face of early setbacks. Adaptability allows flexibility when circumstances change, such as operating from home after closing her physical shop.

Also, by utilizing social media to connect with her community and fostering customer loyalty through dedication, she built a supportive clientele, allowing her to grow.

Story Courtesy of Bizna Kenya