This archive report was first published on 16 October 2019.
At just 26 years old, Murtaza Shabbir has achieved remarkable success with Oracle Chemicals, a company that makes swimming pool chemicals and detergents for housekeeping, kitchen, and laundry. Founded in November 2016, Oracle Chemicals has risen to enlist some of the biggest names in the hotel industry in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Zanzibar.
Murtaza's journey began when he was still in school, saving money from various business ventures. By the time he left school, he had accumulated Sh300,000. However, he admits that not having a specific business in mind before quitting school was his only undoing.
After spending his savings, Murtaza decided to look for a job to make ends meet. He worked as a salesman for a short period before realizing that he had found a niche in detergent making. He learned about making good quality detergents, hotel structures, decision-making processes, and marketing strategies during his three-month stint with a friend's detergent brand in Zanzibar.
With his newfound knowledge, Murtaza started Oracle Chemicals in Nairobi, focusing on making swimming pool chemicals and detergents. He faced numerous challenges, including gaining trust from hotels that already had suppliers. However, he persevered, pitching his product to hotels and eventually securing his first sale in January 2017.
Today, Oracle Chemicals sells its products to about 50 big and medium-size hotels in the region, with around 20 hotels in Nairobi and other places in the country. Murtaza attributes the company's success to its ability to innovate and provide technologies such as automated pumps and programming machines to automate consumption of soap and ensure that the product is economical for clients.
Murtaza emphasizes the importance of savings, stating that it takes self-discipline and resilience. He saved as little as Sh20 every day, keeping aside at least 50% of his earnings. He advises that to make money, one needs money, and setting aside something from the little one has is crucial for growth.
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