Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

As a farmer with a background in fashion the use of other organic based materials to manufacture clothing and apparel made solely from fish leather is the aim here as a fabric alternative and help aid recycle the skin which produces methane gas once decom

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Using Fish leather as an alternative fabric choice for the clothing and apparel industry is a very valid choice as the pros out weigh the cons. Fish skin is heavily trashed out during the filleting process therefore readily available in damping sites which unfortunately once decomposed methane gas is dismissed off to the environment causing harm to man,flora and fauna. The tanning process is available in organic options whereby naturally occurring elements,that is vegetable tanners can be used which are eco friendly but a very expensive venture or chrome tanning industrial chemicals which are used on large scale basis and a cheaper alternative. Once embraced, fish leather can be a trillions incurring venture n create job opportunities both unskilled and skilled. Currently I already am in my research phase currently at Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institution publishing my Fish Leather Project and getting guidance and professional guidance according to the institutions mandate.

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

As a fashion designer getting access to good quality fabric led me to seek organically available options therefore I secured a scholarship to pursue agribusiness. Organic alternatives are readily available in large quantities whereby they may lead to pollution once decomposed. Many fabrics being used these days especially those that are man made are very harmful to the ones who make them as the laborers are forced to use harsh chemicals in production. Using viscose as an example many clothes are being made from this plant based resource that uses harsh chemicals to process. Workers suffer long term health issues, manufactures misuse poor people to give them free labour as they know how harmful and costly it is to process the final product. Fish leather as a source of fabric can be used to make clothes as its smooth nature once I experiment using pigeon urine to smoothen it durability longevity can be used to make bags and suitcases without necessary having to deplete any resource

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

Fish leather products are unique in nature as the exotic finish of the raw material gives an aesthetic that is unique and one of a kind. Using Fish leather as a fabric alternative does not lead to any depletion of the source as the approach is to recycle the already trashed out fish skin and also venture into fish farming activities that also value adds the skin whereby larger single fish skins will have to be reared to achieve single pieces that are bigger using applied fishing taxonomy guidelines of rearing once the meat is sold. As a business venture, it will create job opportunities for both the unskilled and skilled not withholding any form of disability challenges to all with a trillion success rate when all systems are set.

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

The consumer is the drive whereby fish leather products are to be manufactured and distributed in mass and luxury alternatives driven by the Fashion Design skills I poses whereby as the Creative Director of Nguzo Wear, well planed out Seasonal collections of clothes and also bags and suitcases to be distributed to the market is the main objective. Also in my Aquaculture and Mariculture ventures,delving into the distribution of fish to fill a gap whereby affordable frozen fish shall be distributed to seal the gap of nutrition dearly needed by many.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-09-02

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

0

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

0

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

0

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

https://www.tiktok.com/@farmergirl254?_t=8nIZInGE5dG&_r=1

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Poverty in this context is showcased by the use of free labor by exploiting the poor people in society taking advantage of their vulnerability. Nguzo Wear on the other hand aims at creating job opportunities whereby both unskilled and skilled labor will be outsourced with a surety of well paid packages as this project as earlier stated can be a trillion dollar business venture once all systems are set bearing in mind that even the physically challenged are welcome as they are in large numbers living below the poverty levels due to discrimination.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

As fish is the business, it can be used as an alternative to protein supplements once we start rearing whereby affordable fish packages can be distributed to the market.Kindly note that affordability here is key as many endure hunger due to eating unbalanced meals. And since fish is protein in nature,it is an energy giving food source that will help aid zero hunger. Also through job creation opportunities even though not all will be employed we can make sure helping a certain number will also lead to them being able to fend for the families and also reach to the communities at large.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Consumption of fish is a healthy alternative of protein whereby obesity can be depleted once awareness is harnessed. The Omega 3 Fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty act D's can guarantee a healthy nation n curb lifestyle diseases that are decreasing the human lifespan years decade by decade.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

It would not be complete if Nguzo Wear doesn't expand it's love for humanity by opening training schools to enrich the vulnerable boys and girls. An after school program to help harness skill set in the Fish farming industry and also Fashion Industry. To also encourage the young to take up financial responsibility early as many end up stranded once they complete their studies especially when they are not absorbed in the job market a very sad thing that is common in my country Kenya.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Helping enrich women and girls with the skill set necessary to thrive in the fashion industry, women can uplift there families as men are heavily loaded with this task especially in the lower class.It degrades the family set up and since the fashion industry needs human resource too,Nguzo Wear would also benefit from the availability of a work force amongst this group of very hardworking individuals elevating them with monitory rewards in form of a good salary package and other benefits once the profits flow in as they should.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

In Aquaculture, we intend to re use the water from the fish ponds using aquaponics techniques whereby the water from the ponds is not drained out as waste but converted to other channels to provide nutrients to the plants.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Solar energy will be the drividriving force of energy source to help run the machinery.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Decent work and economic growth is important as this really motivates the work force as they partake in their daily tasks, Good pay and good working conditions shall be encouraged whereby no one is over loaded with tasks therefore ensuring enough human resource is present to aid run the business smoothly. Updated payslips motivated by the profits incurred also I deserving as a token of appreciation for their hard work.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Consulting sustainable architecture shall be a must especially with the availability of recyclable materials that are degrading the environment.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

It is important to include those in society who are living below the poverty level as human resource and place people living with disabilities in tasks that can fit them earn a decent salary.

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Our community reach out projects will help give people decent environments in our cleanup strategy's of recycling the fish skin piles n restore decency

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Recycling the already trashed out fish skin is already a strategy not to lead to any depletion of the resource that is fish from an already wild stock on the lake Victoria for example. Also with our aquaculture activities no waste will be endured as the value addition plans of packing frozen fish once skinned will ensure responsible production.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

Aquaponics can help in the climate change action as recycling water mechanisms help save water a depleting resource.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Opting not to use the fish wild stocks already available in the oceans and practice aquaculture with a key intrest in aquaponics will ensure the life below water goal. Also the recycling and reusing the fish skin piles on the shore line will help combat water pollution that may affect marinelife therefore ensuring the methane gas produced by the decompsed fish skin does not occur.

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Setting up eco friendly structures as working stations and reusing refilling and recycling any refuse collected after product development shall be the sustainable motive.

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Respecting our human resource shall be key in order to sustain this institution by ensuring fare wages and humane working conditions.

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Participating in this goal with the above information in mind is surety enough to maintain my stand with the goals outlined.

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

3

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

3

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.

3

05.08 Justification

Fish Leather can be backdated to centuries ago. The fact that the textile industry has never bothered to popularize it as it can solve many environmental degradetion mishaps caused by the fastfashion greed of using harsh alternatives sets my inovation as a unique aproach.

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

Other Leather products especially cow leather products. Fish leather on the other hand is unique in nature therefore standing out will be a plus.

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

Yes, Encouraging young women to occupy Agribusiness as an opportunity to earn money.