I happened to attend a workshop a couple of months ago [truly, I was attending, not hosting] and there was a heated discussion during one of the sessions…about locally manufactured products.
Being in Kenya, the bone of contention was that Kenyans are not too keen to purchase locally manufactured products. A quick research study produced interesting findings. Contrary to popular belief, countless patriotic Kenyans were quite willing to purchase locally manufactured goods as seen from the success of the ‘Buy Kenya, Build Kenya’ campaign. There is a caveat somewhere there in though. They will only buy in so far as they believe the quality is good or in unique cases, where quality does not matter much and it is the patriotism that counts more.
I beg you to note that quality does count thoroughly – if you are in the beauty or interiors/exteriors manufacturing industries. While a tissue manufacturer may get away with it and generate sales using a nice patriotic tag, you have little hope of snatching the market from established brands say like Estee Launder by relying largely on patriotism. But I digress….I was discussing the heated debate…
Truly, we have wonderful products locally manufactured that are not getting to see the full light of day [and use] simply because the person behind it is hung up on the line that Kenyans will not try Kenyan products. So here I challenge you – if you have a product that is of good, admirable, excellecnt [and all those wonderful adjectives] quality, retailing at a humanly decent price, try us and see if we shall not be falling over ourselves to purchase it.
And with that thought in mind, I had the pleasure [a few weeks ago] of listening [Over the air] to the launch of the first locally made/produced/ manufactured line of Beauty & Cosmetic products by SuzieBeauty under the proprietor Susan Wokabi. The product line is not only of admirable quality, with fun interesting names, but it is also deliciously priced. It is exciting – do check out this lovely product line at http://www.suziebeauty.com
Have a look at these images of some of their products.
What is in your hands today? Have you a dream, a product, a talent, a skill that you have been holding back for some reason? To quote Ian Thomas – Torch Bearers International ” “Go where you’re sent, Stay where you’re put, Give what you’ve got.” Excellence is an attitude of mind. You are precious to God.

