This archive report was first published on 3 November 2021.
Published on November 3, 2021, Dominic Mureithi's story is a testament to the power of determination and vision. With over 50 years of experience in the food industry, Mureithi had always been passionate about business, but he wanted to do it debt-free.
After devising a savings plan that took him seven years to raise Sh5 million, Mureithi used the money to start Polucon Services, an enterprise that has since risen to become one of Kenya's top indigenous laboratory testing and inspection firms.
Today, Polucon has nearly 100 employees, with offices across Africa and scores of global network partners. The firm has expanded its portfolio from verifying the standards of import and export goods to offering cargo inspection, consumer inspection, pre-procurement inspection, lab testing and analysis, environmental pollution control services, and brand protection services.
One of Mureithi's key principles was to never borrow, instead, he kept ploughing in the profits he made back into the business. This approach has paid off, with the firm hitting a turnover of Sh100 million by 2016 and Sh170 million by 2020.
At the heart of Polucon's success is its commitment to integrity and zero tolerance for corruption. The firm has an anti-corruption policy, which all staff abide by, and has even been recognized by the country's anti-corruption initiative with a blue company certification.
Mureithi's vision for Polucon extends beyond just business success. He wants to help the youth attain their potential and has created real job opportunities for young graduates in the industry. The firm's workforce consists of people below the age of 35, taking up a third of all positions, and Mureithi is proud to be the oldest person at Polucon.
As Mureithi shares his business journey, he emphasizes the importance of integrity, innovation, and hard work. His story is a testament to the power of determination and vision, and serves as an inspiration to anyone looking to start and run a debt-free business.
