When Dr. Paul Kamau launched his dog food business three years ago, the odds were stacked against him.

He was a newbie, entering a market with little knowledge about manufacturing and generally low product trust.

In an exclusive interview with Mtaa Wangu at the Nakuru Agribusiness Expo, Dr. Kamau shared insights into Freshcom's success, its origins rooted in his concern for dog health, and the challenges he had to overcome during his veterinary journey.

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As a veterinary doctor, Dr. Kamau witnessed a surge in dog illnesses in the Lanet area, attributed to salmonella infections and aflatoxin-contaminated food.

Dr Kamau said this realization sent him on a trajectory of doing “crazy research” on manufacturing of pet food which will serve the people he was serving as a veterinary doctor.

Motivated by this, he ventured into dog food production, starting by cultivating his maize while navigating the complexities of obtaining a manufacturing licenses.

Sample of the Freshcom Dog food at the production area.

Photo credit: MERCY KIHUGU/MTAA WANGU

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Dr Kamau pooled together his savings hoping the venture would be his retirement plan in the long run once he hangs his veterinary boots.

Highlighting the importance of streamlined licensing processes, Dr. Kamau emphasized government support for the manufacturing sector.

"Although faced with initial hurdles, Freshcom gained traction, initially we distributed to a limited audience of five trial customers, which has eventually expanded to over 100 buyers in Nakuru," he says

Freshcom's product range, packaged from 2kg to 50kg, caters to both individual pet owners and commercial clients where he has managed to not only his agro vet but also major agro vets within the city.

Driven by a passion for canine well-being, Dr. Kamau understands the role marketing plays, acknowledging the significant investment made despite initial setbacks.

Reflecting on a challenging marketing experience, he notes that he once risked using expos as a marketing strategy, where he incurred losses of up to Sh 100,000 when the business was starting.

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Dr. Kamau expressed the need for educating dog owners about proper nutrition, with a belief that dogs are man's best friend, he advocates for training on responsible pet care and nutrition to safeguard both the animals and the properties they protect.

mercykihugu@gmail.com

Biz Lounge: Why veterinary doctor ventured into dog food business

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Mercy Kihugu