Entrepreneurship is a rollercoaster of ambition, challenges, and breakthroughs. As the saying goes, “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.” This truth resonates deeply with my journey, from launching Big Kuku to navigating the hurdles of scaling a poultry processing enterprise in Kenya and further into the Smart Villages Project. This post is not just a story—it’s a testament to the transformative power of resilience.

A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor.

The Beginning: Laying the Foundation Amid Challenges

My entrepreneurial journey began with a simple yet profound dream: to revolutionize the poultry industry in my community. Growing up as the son of a chicken farmer, I saw firsthand how poultry farming lifted my family out of poverty. Inspired by this legacy, I aimed to create a business that would not only honor my father’s work but also set a new benchmark for the industry.

In 2016, Big Kuku was created with a $10,000 grant from the United States African Development Foundation through the Young African Leadership Regional Leadership Centre at Kenyatta University, where I was part of the second group in a leadership program started by President Barack Obama to support young leaders across Africa.

This program was a major milestone, as President Obama made it a point to visit Kenya and launch the first group during his first trip. With support from local partners like the KCB Foundation, Equity Bank Foundation, MasterCard, Microsoft, and Dow Chemicals, the program aimed to nurture creative young leaders who could tackle the issues faced by their generation and be part of the solutions.

After completing the program and giving the opening entrepreneurs’ speech at an event where the KCB Foundation committed $1 million to the YALI Regional Leadership Centre, I urged the board of directors and the Managing Director of the KCB Foundation to help me learn how to make a larger impact, since my earlier funded projects had not succeeded. (Subscribe to read more about my early funding journey with the National Commission for Science, Technology, and Innovation Council (NACOSTI) and the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Program in a separate post), which are linked to two award-winning ventures from my second year at Kenyatta University, where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, focusing on Economics, with a minor in Gender and Development Studies.)

Of the $10,000.00 funding, $3,000.00 was set aside for starting a chicken venture, while another $3,000.00 was allocated for a fish venture based in Lake Victoria basin related to Fish Cage Farming. This initial funding was used to set up a demonstration farm for commercial contracting of broiler chicken and follow on funding from the same funder going into the building of a commercial chicken coop with a 10,000 bird capacity. The same funder would support my business in pivoting at the backdrop of Covid-19 unlocking value to numerous farmers across the poultry value chain. Funding amounts went into purchasing of deep freezers and stainless steel tables to launch a retail business that would grow into a franchise opportunity, but this journey was not without it’s challenges.

Our goal was clear: to build a scalable, quality-focused poultry business benefiting both producers and consumers. Yet, the path forward was fraught with challenges. Retailing poultry products revealed logistical inefficiencies and high operating costs, prompting us to rethink our approach. By March 2022, we pivoted to wholesale—a decision that underscored the importance of adaptability and became a defining moment in our growth.

Key Insights from Big Kuku

1. Adaptability is Key: Pivoting from retail to wholesale taught us that flexibility is crucial. Entrepreneurs must remain open to change and ready to seize new opportunities.
2. Invest in Trust: Cultivating relationships with partners, employees, and customers based on integrity and mutual respect is essential for long-term success.
3. Stay Grounded in Values: Aligning decisions with core values ensures that even difficult choices contribute to a sustainable vision.

The Growth Phase: Learning Through Adversity

As we transitioned to wholesale, Big Kuku experienced rapid growth. By mid-2022, revenue had surged to Ksh 8 million, with our team processing up to 2,000 kilograms of poultry daily. However, this expansion brought new challenges: regulatory compliance, cash handling, and operational inefficiencies. We faced compliance hurdles, including the need for worker safety protocols and proper certifications. Financial risks such as pilferage and stock mismanagement further tested our resolve.

In 2023, competition intensified. A former partner leveraged resources to undercut our prices, straining our financial stability. Despite these setbacks, we focused on restructuring, scaling back operations, and exploring new investment avenues. Each challenge became a lesson in resilience, reinforcing the importance of strategic decision-making and trust-based partnerships.

Big Kuku: Pausing to Restructure and Reignite the Vision

By 2024, Big Kuku faced its greatest challenges. The loss of key revenue sources and mounting financial obligations forced us to make tough decisions, including selling our retail shop and downsizing operations.

In 2025, Big Kuku is reigniting its vision, working closely with farmers to rebuild the business from the ground up. The new plan includes reestablishing our supply chain, introducing new product lines, investing in modern refrigerated storage and transport solutions, and launching innovative community engagement programs. With an emphasis on sustainability and scalability, we are also exploring franchise opportunities to empower local entrepreneurs and expand market access.

We’re thrilled to reconnect with our farmers, stakeholders, and customers as we reintroduce Big Kuku with renewed purpose and energy.

Visit BigKuku.com to learn more about our journey and join us in building a stronger, more connected poultry ecosystem.

Big Kuku’s story is not one of failure but of resilience. It’s a testament to the importance of adaptability, strategic partnerships, and perseverance in the face of adversity.

These lessons will inform future endeavors, ensuring that the vision that fueled Big Kuku lives on.

Key Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

1. Leverage Development Programs and Networks: Programs like the Young Africa Leadership Initiative, both the YALI RLC East Africa program and University of IOWA, under the Mandela Washington Fellowship and the Chandaria Business Innovation Centre provided critical support and resources, enabling Big Kuku’s initial success.
2. Funding Support from the United States African Development Foundation has been extremely critical to the success of Big Kuku (Subscribe for a dedicated piece on the role USADF played in shaping my entrepreneurial journey.)
3. Build with Banking partners like Equity Bank that believed in my vision and is walking the journey with me towards rebuilding my venture (Keep subscribed to get the full piece on Equity Bank and our work together)
4. Anticipate Challenges: Building flexibility into your business model allows you to navigate market disruptions and operational hurdles effectively.
5. Focus on Innovation: Embrace technology and new processes to enhance efficiency and customer engagement.
6. Seek Win Win Partnerships (Keep an eye out on the a dedicated piece to partners on my journey)
7. Communicate Transparently: Honest and empathetic communication with stakeholders fosters trust and strengthens relationships.

Kahethu Smart Villages: Building Sustainable Communities

Entrepreneurship extends beyond business—it shapes communities. Inspired by this belief, I embarked on the Kahethu Smart Village initiative, blending tradition with innovation to create a sustainable ecosystem.

Imagine a village where modern brick homes replace temporary structures, marketplaces thrive with local produce, and schools equip the next generation with vocational skills. This vision reflects my commitment to creating a smarter, kinder, and more connected world.

Looking Ahead: Inspiring the Next Generation

As I reflect on my entrepreneurial and leadership journey, I am filled with pride and humility. While some initiatives are yet to achieve their ultimate vision, the lessons learned have shaped me into a more resilient and insightful leader.

My focus now is on empowering others through this platform designed to support emerging leaders by providing tools for growth, innovation, and leadership.

Entrepreneurship is not about avoiding failure but learning from it.

To those embarking on this path, I urge you to embrace the highs and lows, learn from every challenge, and remain steadfast in your vision.

Resilience is not just a skill—it is the foundation of sustainable success.

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