Shirlene Nafula never had a thing for business, like most entrepreneurs who have it flowing in their blood. She was a little-laid back looking to pursue a masters abroad but things flopped and she had to stick around longer.
“I have a science degree from the University of Nairobi, so I decided to look into rolling out beauty and hygiene products. I registered my business, Crystal River Products, and with the capital, I got from my grandmother, I printed my first batch of labels,” said Shirlene.
She went into production, making bio-based products with her mothers help in purchasing chemicals, plastics and the basic machinery, Crystal River Products, was up and rolling.
KCB Lions’ Den caught Shirlene’s eyes but didn’t think she had what it takes to pitch before the investors. But her mentors and a few other trusted entrepreneurs convinced her to give it a shot. She made it through the online application and was hand-picked by a film crew for training on pitching her business idea in the den.
“I was the first woman to pitch in the den that day. I was soo nervous, but I knew I had to pitch perfectly and get walk home with at least one of the investors to finance my business, so I shook away the fear,” she recalled
Olive Gachara and Darshan Chandaria were head over heels for her Crystal River Products business with Olive eyeing a 40% of the business and Darshan 45% ownership. Shirlene fell hard for Chandaria’s proposal.
“Chandaria Capital at first put in Sh4.5 million, into Crystal River Products but we later renegotiated a new deal which I signed a non-disclosure agreement to as we work out the details,” she said.
Then came the prestigious awards. The British High Commission listed her among 29 other young women leading in business in Kenya and across the Commonwealth. She received recognition for her dedication and excellence from the Women in Business arm of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and worn an award at United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) under its Empretec programme.
At only 26, Shirlene is her own boss, with a workforce of 16 employees and a stable business.
What it takes to win investors over to your business.
“A strong return on their investment is key. Also, they should be able to see potential in the people behind the business. When it came to Crystal River Products, beauty and hygiene are an integral part of society; everyone likes to look good, so there’s huge potential for a business like ours to scale,” she attested
With the support from Chandaria capital in terms of her go-to-market growth strategy, finance, general oversight and management of the business, Shirlene could tell that the future of Crystal River Products is indeed bright.