Kenyan Woman Makes Millions from Restaurant, Coffee in Germany

 

Kenyans are recognised for their bold ventures abroad in pursuing better opportunities for themselves and their families. Muthoni Schneidewind runs several businesses in Germany. TABLE OF CONTENTS Muthoni Schneidewind's early life When did Muthoni start Chania Coffee? Muthoni's first export, other businesses Which other Kenyans are running businesses abroad? + View more Muthoni Schneidewind's early life Muthoni Schneidewind, based in Germany, is one of the Kenyans who transitioned from a humble role as a coffee picker to overseeing multiple enterprises in Kenya and abroad.. Muthoni recounted her journey, recalling how she assisted her father in picking coffee during weekends, a task that financed her primary through secondary school education. "Moving to Europe, I realised that Kenyan coffee was costly. Everyone knows that Kenyan coffee producers are poor. I wanted to change this narrative," she told NTV. Before relocating to Germany in 2009, Muthoni engaged in farming, restaurant ownership and philanthropy. "It's coffee that took me to school. I am part of the generation that knows what it means to be a coffee farmer's child," she explained to Chams Media. She honed her skills as a marketing consultant in several Kenyan firms. "I worked for Vitacraft, a German company that produces pet food, and later got another role with Coca-Cola,” she disclosed. When did Muthoni start Chania Coffee? Following her tenure at Coca-Cola, Muthoni embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by establishing Chania Coffee in 2013, prompted by the steep prices of Kenyan-branded coffee in Europe. She initiated her venture modestly, conducting thorough research into importation channels to collaborate directly with Kenyan coffee farmers in exporting their products beyond national borders. Subsequently, Muthoni meticulously navigated the bureaucratic procedures in both Germany and Kenya, facilitating the direct importation of coffee from farmers to Germany, thereby bypassing intermediaries (middlemen). "I found that there was a law passed in Kenya in 2007, allowing the direct trade of Kenyan coffee to the world,” she said. Muthoni's first export, other businesses In February 2014, she achieved a significant milestone by successfully shipping her inaugural coffee container from Kenya, with an initial batch airlifted weighing 30 kilograms. “It was very expensive, we did not make any money, but at least we proved to our farmers and consumers that it was possible,” she narrated. READ ALSO Judy Wanjiru: Kenyan Woman Makes up To KSh 200k Monthly from Taxi Business Her entrepreneurial portfolio encompasses the Chania Coffee House in Germany, Kenya-Dorf-Volunteers (KEDOVO CBO) and KEDOVO Germany. 

by  Japhet Ruto