Raphael Kithinji, a former financial analyst, started on an exceptional journey when he turned his childhood love for dogs into a thriving dog breeding business.
Over the years, Raphael Kithinji has transformed his passion into a profitable venture, earning recognition for his pedigree dogs and generating significant revenue.
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A Childhood Bond
At just three years old, Kithinji shared an unbreakable bond with his beloved dog Works.
This early connection sparked a lifelong passion for dogs. Following Works’ passing, Kithinji vowed to honor his memory by dedicating himself to dog breeding.
“I left my high profile job as a financial analyst with the government in 2012 and I have never regretted the decision,” Raphael Kithinji said in a past interview.
The Birth of a Business
In 2015, Kithinji faced a predicament when friends wanted to buy puppies from his first litter. With only six puppies and more than ten interested buyers, he contemplated his options.
One friend offered to purchase a puppy for Sh20,000, inspiring Kithinji to consider selling the puppies as a business opportunity.
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“That gave me the idea of a business as I decided to sell the puppies,” Githinji said.
To his surprise, all the puppies were sold at the offered price, setting the foundation for his dog breeding enterprise.
Recognition and Expansion
The turning point came later that year when three ranch owners visited Kithinji’s farm seeking pedigree dogs.
Impressed by the quality of his German Shepherd puppies, they offered to pay Sh35,000 per puppy.
“Without provocation, they offered him Sh35,000 per puppy and told me that if the dogs were registered and had pedigree records, they would have bought them at Sh80,000 each,” he recalled.
This experience motivated Kithinji to build a reputable breeding business.
Challenges and Triumphs
Kithinji discovered that finding dogs with proper pedigree papers in Kenya was a daunting task.
“The dogs on offer were of low quality compared to the ones I owned,” he says.
Despite the obstacles, he persevered for three years, eventually acquiring five dogs with pedigree records from various locations in the country.
This achievement helped elevate the quality of his breeding stock.
Diversification and Success During COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led Kithinji to diversify his business further.
He imported two Doberman and two Pinscher puppies from the US, which later produced litters that he sold or retained for breeding purposes.
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Kithinji’s business remained resilient and continued to flourish.
The Path to Success
Kithinji believes that starting a dog breeding business offers several advantages, including a lack of seasonal fluctuations, the potential to start with minimal capital, and no formal training requirements.
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As of 2021, he owned 50 pedigree dogs of various breeds and has sold numerous puppies, earning a total of Sh16 million against an initial investment of Sh4.2 million.
Future Ambitions
Kithinji’s aspirations extend beyond his current accomplishments.
He envisions establishing a large-scale export enterprise that attracts international clients. With his financial and IT background, combined with his expertise in dog breeding, Kithinji is well-positioned to achieve this goal.
