Meet Nafiso Business Group – From Housewife to Business Owner.
For years, Mama Nafisa Dugow Farah carried a skill that could have changed her life—she knew how to make shampoo. She had been trained long ago, but without capital or guidance on how to run a business, her knowledge remained unused. Like many women, she stayed at home, quietly holding onto her potential and waiting for a chance.
“I had the skills, but I did not have capital to begin,” Nafisa recalls.
That long-awaited opportunity came when she was selected to benefit from the Kuza Jamii II Project. Determined not to let it pass her by, Nafisa joined hands with two other women who shared her vision. Together, they formed the Nafiso Business Group and began laying the foundation for their shampoo-making business.
Their turning point came through a GENCAD grant, implemented in partnership with the Kuza Jamii II consortium led by Village Enterprise, with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). The group received KES 60,000 in seed capital and an additional KES 30,000 top-up grant. With this support, they were able to purchase shampoo-making ingredients, acquire basic equipment, and rent a small working space.
In their small workspace, Nafisa and her group carefully prepare their shampoo using a simple but effective process. The main ingredients include clean water, shampoo base (such as texapon or SLES for foaming), salt to thicken the mixture, color, and fragrance to make the product appealing, as well as preservatives to ensure longer shelf life. They begin by mixing the shampoo base with water in the right proportions, stirring slowly to achieve a smooth consistency. They then add color and fragrance, giving the shampoo its unique identity, before carefully incorporating salt to thicken it. The mixture is stirred gently to avoid foam buildup, then left to settle before being packaged into bottles, labeled, and prepared for sale. Through practice and teamwork, they have mastered both quality control and consistency, ensuring their product meets customer expectations.
But the support went beyond financial assistance. GENCAD also provided practical training in financial literacy, which became a game changer for the group. Nafisa and her partners learned how to manage their money, differentiate between sales, profit, and loss, and make informed business decisions. They were introduced to proper record-keeping practices, using books to track their daily, weekly, and monthly sales, expenses, and profits. In addition, they embraced the culture of saving—setting aside part of their earnings to reinvest in the business and prepare for future needs.
This combination of skills and support gave the women confidence and control over their enterprise. With growing demand in the community, they committed fully to the business, working together and supporting each other every step of the way.
“This financial training has truly transformed us into a more serious and focused group. Before, we had never received such in-depth knowledge, and we couldn’t clearly understand our profits and losses. But now, with every sale we make, we are able to track and understand exactly how our business is performing,” explains Nafiso.
Today, the Nafiso Business Group is thriving. They are able to restock consistently, meet customer demand, and contribute to their household needs, including food, school fees, and other essentials. Their progress has inspired them to think bigger—they are now planning to expand by opening another shop in a different location.
“We chose the shampoo business because it is always in demand—from hotels and homes to schools and many other places. It has proven to be a good decision, and it is truly paying off. “says Nafsio amid smile on her face.
What began as dormant skills has transformed into a steady source of income, dignity, and hope. Nafisa’s journey is a powerful reminder that when women are given not just capital, but also knowledge and support, they do more than start businesses—they rebuild confidence, uplift their families, and create lasting change in their communities.