BY PRISCILLA KAMANDE
“The mind is limitless. It can be stretched by new ideas without losing its original dimensions,” says 28-year-old Lillian Wairimu, who built her career from an old rugged mattress.
Wairimu, the founder and CEO of Vee 3 Creative, began her beanbag company at 24 and has seen the company grow over the years.
Beanbags are large cushions used as seats and loungers, offering a versatile and fun alternative to contemporary furniture. Beanbags are experiencing a worldwide renaissance. Originally a simple toy for children, it has evolved into an amazing assortment of luxurious furniture that are comfortable and give a touch of elegance and style.
Must Read: The Most Profitable Business Ideas to Start in 2017
In 2012, Wairimu was overly excited to graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing from the Africa Nazarene University. Little did she know that life was not as smooth as she had hoped. For one-and-a-half years, all she could get were contact jobs that ended in frustration. She had to act fast to provide for herself and her little son who was looking up to her.
After serious soul-searching, Wairimu stumbled upon an idea that would bloom into a viable business. “I noticed this old rugged mattress in my room and started thinking what I could do with it,” she recalls.
She pored over the Internet and discovered that beanbags could be made from mattress chips. The self-taught beanbag maker depended on YouTube videos and Google instructions to sharpen her skill. She created a Facebook page and posted pictures of a few beanbags that she had made, earning her several nods from her online friends. Since then, she has leveraged on online marketing to find clients.
She is also the proud owner of Woodley Mart, a shop located at Adams Arcade on Ngong Road in Nairobi, where she sells beanbags, travel pillows, throw rags, throw pillows and cushions.
Good Read: How To Create The Perfect Logo For Your Company
Wairimugets clients from all over the country and uses G4S for deliveries outside Nairobi. For clients who cannot visit her store, she uses online platforms such as Facebook to communicate and cut deals.
Beanbag business doesn’t require much capital, all you need is Sh10,000. Wairimu started with Sh5,000. She used Sh3,500 to make her first beanbag and sold it for Sh4,000. ’
“As a beginner and with such a profit margin, I realised that I needed a business plan that would help me assess the market. I was also advised to diversify according to my market research. This worked very well,” she says
She uses locally available materials but imports the special cartoon materials used to make children’s’ beanbags. She believes in customisation and a tailor makes the beanbags to fit her clients’ specifications.
“For the outer cover, we use American suede, khaki, canvas, leather and fur. Dustless Styrofoam which we import, is used to fill the bags and give them the desired shape,” she explains.
For safety purposes, a beanbag has two linings; the inner lining that has a zipper and the outer one that is removable and can be washed or changed. A small beanbag weighs four kilos, the medium seven kilos and the large 12 kilos.
For factory stitching, which is a three-piece work; bottom, side and zipper, she does it at Industrial Area in Nairobi.
Must Read: How I started my two side businesses and turned them into success.
In a month, she makes between Sh50, 000 and Sh200, 000, depending on the season. She says holidays, especially towards the end of the year, are a better season compared to the beginning of the year, when people start to plan their budgets.
Her biggest clients are corporates, the expatriate community and residential home owners. ‘’We have made beanbags for companies like Growth Africa, Roths Child-a consultancy firm, and Tuko Media. “Today, offices are becoming more like homes as lifestyle becomes increasingly important. Employees need a place where they can get off their feet and embrace a few moments of peace,” she says.
