Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

I primarily use old car and motorcycle tyres to create cylindrical flower pots with two handles,with car tyres cut and turned inside out to form the cylindrical part which hold soil and the motorcycle tyres used to make two firm handles making it a trophy

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

This project aims at re-cycling tyres to make a variety of products namely; flower pots, dustbins, seats and tables making full use of the ever growing numbers of car and motorcycle tyres especially here in Kenya. This project will tremendously manage the growing numbers of idle tyres turning them into useful products which if otherwise were those tyre left idle would most probably have ended up being burnt emitting harmful fumes for our planet or ending up in landfills making them release harmful chemicals polluting soil and water and in the process the recycling turns the project into a very good economic activity . Take for instance the flower pots which has very strong selling points like affordability, strong, durability as tyres can't break or crack at impacts hence less replacements of vessels, unique design is eye-catching to potential customers,tried and tested. We just need to scale up and difference will be there for all to see.

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The main problem is a problem of breakages of pots. The materials such as glass, plastics, clay that are mainly used in making pots are prone to cracking and breaking making their lifespan less than two years. Consumers are therefore left to go and buy other similar products which usually end up like the previous ones. The first huddle they face is transporting these fragile materials which a few may break during transportation. With the tyre pots they need not worry about a thing since they are rubber they are guaranteed a quality product for less money for a longer lifespan.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

One of the benefits of using tyre flower pot is it's longevity. Tyres are; rubber making them not prone to breaking or cracking after impacts such as falling and direct hits unlike pots of other materials, thus saving consumer valuable money and time. The other benefit is they are affordable. Tyres are easily available. The process of making pots is also inexpensive and quick making the pots ideal to majority of consumers Unique design- The design of this product is creative and artistic creating a visual attraction for any space

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Retailers, corporate offices, wedding planners, schools and educational institutions, homeowners and renters, greenhouses and plant nurseries, restaurants and cafes, hotels and resorts, professional gardeners, home gardeners, hobbyists and crafters, online market places are all my targetted beneficiaries

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-09-07

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

5

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

3

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

Nkatha- A lady who is a professional gardener who grows and sells a variety of flowers and been in flower business for 13 years Yvonne - A lady who owns a storefront who helps display and marketing of my project products. Having run a footwear store for 6 years. Kimathi- A gentleman who has a boutique store in Meru for over 10 years buys my products and sells them at his store. Norah- A lady who runs a boutique store in Meru town. She displays my products at her store while also selling them. It's her 8th year in the clothes business. Mareete- A gentleman who is in flower and plant nurseries business in meru who sells flowers having been in business for over 20 years along meru- maua highway. He buys my flowerpots and transplants flowers in them to sell potted plants while also referring clients that want a variety of flower pots

01.09 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link here:

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

By donating to charity Through job creation Avoiding businesses that exploit workers through low wages. Supporting government initiatives and political candidates that enforce a living minimum wage along with social safety nets .

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Partnering with local organizations that focus on food rescue and reclamation. Ensure little food wastage Buying local and in-seasoned food By growing own food

02.03.01 My project contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

5

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Encourage regular physical and mental screenings within members of my organization and the community. Educate on spread ot communicable diseases and what individuals can do to help stop the transmission of diseases

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Sponsoring local school scholarships and that build schools,suppl books and helping in identifying and remove some of the barriers to education Providing educational opportunities for underprivileged children and adults through online courses or vocational training

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Advocating for equal wages at the workplaces and not staying silent when listening to comments that belittle women and other marginalized gender groups

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

Contributing to charity. Organizing a cleanup project for rivers and oceans by engaging the whole community to clean up local rivers and oceans. Not overusing water. By taking short showers. Running a campaign on hygiene. Raising awareness about hygiene issues in the community through social media, school/university campaign or a campaign in surrounding neighborhoods Lending voice to talk about lack of toilets in many communities around the world.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Buying rechargeable electronics.Not buying one use batteries Turning off lights when not using them. Switching off appliances at the socket. Using solar energy sources by installing solar panels for heating and electricity

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Donating to charity Buying from local; producers.Supporting local economic growth by choosing to buy from local producers and businesses. Being a conscious consumer. If something is cheap it is likely to be hurting people or the planet in some way

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Supporting entrepreneurial spirit by organizing a local idea contest and inviting companies or startups to mentor the winners. Donating to charity Investing in clean and resilient infrastructure to keep workers safe and protect the environment.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Donating to charity Supporting migrants and refugees in our communities. Gathering and donating appliances, food and clothes needed Ensuring everyone workplace have access to health care Visiting local shelters and orphanages in and organize a conversation space to discuss the importance of their rights and volunteer there regularly Raising voice against any typ

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Taking care of public spaces by trimming and planting trees, organizing a clean-up. Taking advantage of our rights to elect leaders in our communities. Supporting a project in slums for safe housing by volunteering in slums to help with building houses, fixing existing ones and setting up public or green spaces Shopping, eating and drinking locally to support local businesses. Commuting in a sustainable way. Bikes, walking and using public transportation

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Shop, eat and drink locally. Supporting neighbourhood businesses keeps people employed and circulates money back into your community. Be conscious of packaging – the less the better! Buy second-hand whenever possible Do some research and buy from companies you know have sustainable practices and don’t harm the environment.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Engaging in tree planting Contributing to charity Recycling paper, glass, plastic , metal and old electronics Composting food scraps to reduce climate impact while also recycling nutrients. Reducing use of paper. Avoiding printing and substitute it with electronic Carriers Choosing reusable products. Using ecobag for shopping and reusable water bottles or a cup to reduce plastic wast

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Donating to charity Reduce waste. Stop using plastic bags which usage and wrong disposal is a major cause of marine pollution. Organizing cleanup projects for local rivers and oceans Never buy bottled water.. instead use boiled, chlorine or rain water

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Reduce your use of paper. Avoid printing and substitute it with electronic devices or carriers. Don’t shop for pets! Visit your local animal shelter and adopt an animal there. Don’t buy products tested on animals: Check the labels on the products you buy. Recycle paper, glass, plastic, metal and old electronics. Compost. Composting food scraps can reduce climate impact while also recycling nutrients. Clean your local parks and forests. Organise your own or join an existing clean-up event to sustain the ecosystem of your local green space. Don’t use pesticides. To protect and sustain the quality of soil, don’t use chemicals while growing plants. Volunteer with street animal organizations or shelters: Help to sustain diversity and save lives of animal species by volunteering in organizations helping these pets as well as endangered species. Not using pesticides to protect and sustain the quality of soil Cleaning local parks and forests to sustain the ecosystems

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

5

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Speak up! Ask local and national authorities to engage in initiatives that don’t harm people or the planet. Know your rights at work. In order to access justice, knowing what you are entitled to will go a long way. Vote! Take advantage of your right to elect the leaders in your country and local community.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Support export by buying products from developing countries. Pay attention to the Fair Trade label on products which helps to indicate products from local producers in developing countries Donating to charity Volunteering in NGOs that work towards global goals

05.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

3

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

6

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

2

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

6

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

My project idea is unique and innovative as it incorporates the use of car and motorcycle tyres to make a totally new product in the market. Confessions and amazement of alot of people at the work done using tyres i

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

My main potential competitors are plastic flower pot sellers. The durability of tyre flower pots which never crack and break unlike the plastic pots and their unique design makes my product stand out to customers who prefer long lasting flower pots hence leaving behind the agony and disappointments of broken pots and damaged flowers in the process

10.06 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

By buying products and services offered by female entrepreneurs in my community