Kids Stuff, Kenya
Peter painting animals for the Kids Stuff product portfolio.Started in 2000 by Jenny Carr-Hartley, Kids Stuff offers a wonderful selection of children's accessories. Made from MDF and hand painted, products range from clocks and mobiles to photo frames, book ends and other related items.
The company began activities in Naivasha where Jenny was able to recruit Peter, a local artist, whose talents in painting and design provide Jenny with the support she needed to start the company.
She quickly created a demand for her product range and employed a further five people, all from the Naivasha area, and increased the range to include childrens bedroom furniture.
In 2005, Kids Stuff moved to Nairobi. The entire workforce and their families were relocated and provided with housing allowances and regular salaries so that the growing demand in Nairobi could be met. With these salaries, the employees children are able to attend local primary and secondary schools.
More recently the company has moved to the industrial area of Nairobi to cope with an increase in demand for their products.
The company operates an ongoing training programme for its staff creating opportunities to enhance skills and experience.
Kids Stuff workshop, NairobiKids Stuff has developed an excellent reputation for high quality products in Kenya and surrounding countries. The UK is their first export market and will provide a platform for products in Europe.
Jenny has provided a unique opportunity for employees to work as a team in producing goods that are finished to the highest quality. It is clearly the work of her team that has helped establish Kids Stuff in the Kenyan market while also providing employees with job security and a brighter future for them and their families in Kenya.