This archive report was first published on 26 September 2019.
Beatrice Mwihaki, founder of Nursing Mama, a fashion line for nursing mothers, lost her brother on Madaraka Day in 2018. She missed the chance to spend the last moments with him because she stepped away to change into a suitable outfit.
Her brother's death sparked an idea in Beatrice to create clothes that would allow nursing mothers to feed their babies in public without feeling exposed. She took a sample of her clothes to a tailor and instructed him on how to create a hidden accessibility gap.
However, the first attempt was unsuccessful, and Beatrice realized that they had to create the product from scratch. With the help of her husband, she approached a manufacturer who was open to producing outfits in small quantities.
They designed outfits with accessibility zips, buttons, layers, and flaps. The first products were exclusively jumpers, retailing at Sh3,500. However, when they got space at an exhibition in Nairobi's Sarit Center, Nursing Mama decided to add tops with a lighter fabric for warmer weather.
Beatrice posted her products online, and in three days, they registered a turnover of Sh100,000. Their sales picked up after they altered their numbers and increased the designs. In the year to date, Nursing Mama has turned over Sh3 million.
Beatrice received a huge boost when she applied and was accepted to pitch on KCB Lions' Den, a TV show where entrepreneurs get a chance to sell their idea to business investors. She managed to get an investment of Sh2 million for 30 per cent equity.
Nursing Mama plans to expand to include not just stylish, convenient breast-feeding clothes, but also maternity wear. The brand aims to walk with a mother from pregnancy to weaning, caring for both mother and baby.
