From Kitchen
to Healthy Kajuju
It started with a question.
I started Healthy Kajuju in January 2016 as a blog while I was university. My purpose was to document the amazing decision (I didn’t realize just how AMAZING at the time!) to transform my diet and lifestyle into a primarily plant-based one. For years I had struggled with acne and asthma which lowered my self-esteem and confidence greatly. The blog became a brilliant tool to share my experience and little experiments with friends and family.
Our first product hits shelves.
Fast forward to September 2016, fresh out of university with loads of time on my hands. A couple of people had been asking about the recipes I shared on the blog.
Also, eating well and being active are making me feel and look FANTASTIC so I keep at it.
Famers market
I get a stand at an organic farmers market near my parents’ home and later in 3 others around Nairobi. I’m selling 7 flavors of fresh fruit and vegetable juice: Power Pine, Totally Carrots, Miracle Beet, Melonade, Pure Green, Mellow Green and Glow Green.
A happy and healthy life
I’m also making cakes, truffles, brownies, granola bars and granola cereal on the side. I make our first flyers and banner titled “A Happy and Healthy Life’.
The business needs a name. I figure that my name is unique enough so why spend months thinking of a new name? (Thanks mum and dad!)
My parents advise me to register it before any other Kajuju starts a food production business – and just like that Healthy Kajuju is legal!
Hand-written labels
Our very first labels looked like this - hand-written with a black marker and orange pen.
First factory - My parents' kitchen
This is where I handmade all the first batches of Healthy Kajuju, sometimes staying up all night. Somehow my parents and brothers never complained about the racket I’d be making in there. Thank you!
Our first logo
A friend helps me make our first official logo for no fee. Thanks Edwin!
Today — and just getting started.
I also write a business plan, do event catering (some all the way in the tea highlands of MERU!) get a stand at a couple of festivals and sell juices and smoothies to lots of kids which is great!
My mum is my most loyal customer and cheerleader!
Our big break!
I load samples of our granola, energy bites and granola bars into the boot of my parents’ car, list 5 gyms down on a paper and drive round Nairobi pitching our products. The very last one says YES!! Thank you CrossFit Kwetu for taking a chance on us.
Construction begins
We’re getting busier and it’s getting tough sharing space in my parents’ kitchen (there’s oats EVERYWHERE!) so we start creating our very own work space.
Major wins!
I’m at our stand at a farmers market when Juliet approaches me. Green Spoon want to stock Healthy Kajuju! I remember going to sleep so excited and humbled.
We launch Healthy Kajuju in Green Spoon and we’re in business!
I also start to figure out stuff I’ve never done before like filing VAT returns and stock taking!!
New cool labels
We love colour and so I make labels of every possible colour I can think of!
Your milestone heading
We’re super excited to receive an email from The Dip Station asking us to stock in beautiful Nanyuki. I get to Nanyuki town the next weekend, hop on a pikipiki and surprise them!
Our small team moves to our very own space
Our shiny new kitchen opens after months of back and forth with our amazing fundi (workmen). A great friend comes to visit so we give her a freshly baked pack of Fruit and Nut Granola.
Your milestone heading
We get more accessible to our community by getting onto the shelves of a couple more stores!
Wholegrain Granola Clusters
After about 3 months of looking like a crazy lab scientist, I finally get the recipe right for two new products: Peanut Butter Wholegrain Clusters and Honey Wholegrain Clusters. They’re crunchy, large and add even more wholesome ingredients into our products such as amaranth, millet, buckwheat, quinoa and chia seeds.
Your milestone heading
I wake up one morning and my cousin texts me that my face is on a newspaper. I’m sharing my experience healing through my food and fitness, how it created Healthy Kajuju and running a business. I also get my brothers to take lots of pictures of me holding the newspaper.
THANK YOU
for your continued support! We appreciate it so much. We’re
super excited to keep growing, learning and redefining packaged foods.
We're excited for whats in store!
