A Journey of Growth with Kenya SBDC

Even with a deep passion for cooking and a talent for preparing meals from a young age, Miriam Mugure, the founder of Imara Dishes, struggled to turn her love for food into a thriving business. Securing capital, attracting customers, and mastering the complexities of running a business were significant challenges she faced along the way. Like many entrepreneurs, the obstacles often felt overwhelming.

Miriam’s business journey took a positive turn when she met Mr. George Makau, the County Coordinator and Tabitha, the County Administrator of the Kenya Small Business Development Centers (Kenya SBDC). This introduction became a turning point for Imara Dishes.

Kenya Small Business Development Centers is a project under the USAID Strategic Partnership Program that provides business advisory services and training to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises. Kenya SBDC borrows the best practices in business development and advisory services from the U.S. Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) model, aiming to transform the lives of MSMEs in the country by enhancing market linkages and access to finance to grow their businesses. The SBDCs are established in Kiambu, Mombasa, Kisumu, Isiolo, Nakuru, and Makueni.

The support from Kenya SBDC played a pivotal role in helping Miriam refine her business processes. She was offered business advisory on integrating innovative ideas that she hadn’t considered before.

For instance, under the guidance of the SBDC team, she introduced new items to her menu—such as chapatti and mukimo—which had not been part of her original offerings. This diversification helped boost her sales and expand her market reach. “I didn’t think of adding those dishes at first, but they advised me, and it ended up attracting more customers,” she reflects.

One of the most significant areas where Kenya SBDC helped was teaching Miriam proper record-keeping techniques. By adopting these practices, she gained the ability to track every transaction, manage her budget effectively, and clearly understand her business’s profitability. “Keeping track of my transactions has helped me know exactly where my money is going. I now see what’s working and what’s not,” she says.

Thanks to the support and guidance from the Nakuru county SBDC team, Miriam has grown as a cook and an entrepreneur. The improvement in her cooking skills has led to a surge in clientele, while her enhanced managerial skills have made her more effective at running her business. Beyond business success, Miriam also focuses on giving back to her community by providing meals to those in need whenever possible.

Looking ahead, Miriam envisions expanding Imara Dishes further. She plans to introduce new menu items, including cakes and hopes to create more job opportunities as her business grows. “I want to keep growing, offering more variety, and eventually be able to hire more people,” she shares.

Miriam attributes much of her growth to Kenya SBDC, acknowledging its critical role in her entrepreneurial journey.

For anyone considering starting their own business, Miriam offers some words of wisdom. “The road can be tough, but initiatives like Kenya SBDC make it easier. They support, guide, and help you succeed without discrimination. You’re not alone on the journey.”

To this extent, Kenya SBDC has supported over 10,000 MSMEs, of which more than 50 percent are women. Collectively, they have attained sales increases of more than KES. 173,000,000 in their businesses, a testament to the importance of mentorship, guidance, and support to MSMEs.

Written by Joy Kamau,

Market Research Associate,

Nakuru Small Business Development Center.