Sunday, December 09, 2007
Transforming lives through business
John Matheri
Alpha Embroidery
CHESS
Nairobi, Kenya
“Now I’m a man of integrity. Before, I was not.” As an entrepreneur of integrity, John Matheri is transforming his role as an employer into a transformer of lives. With the intent to both protect and empower young women, John and his wife Margaret Gichohu employ females—many from underprivileged communities of Nairobi—as seamstresses and salespeople of Alpha Embroidery, their growing business of interior design.
John and Margaret began Alpha Embroidery on the side in 1990 with a loan of $40, just enough to purchase a treadle-operated sewing machine. In 2001, they were able to dedicate themselves fulltime to their growing business, after years of John’s mason work that did not meet the needs of their family. It was the initial loan and the membership of a Kenyan business affiliate called CHESS (Christian Entrepreneurs Savings and Credit Society) that made the growth of their business possible. That same year, they were able to employ five new women and increase their production by 30%.
They also joined a 20-person cell group of CHESS, a group that became the inspirational model for the institutionalization of cell groups throughout the world through the Million Mentors Initiative of 2003-2007. In that cell group, as well as a mentoring relationship with North American businessman, John Vanderploeg, John Matheri and Margaret found ongoing support as they shared mutual business concerns and increased their marketing contacts.
Today, through Margaret’s expertise in tapestry and John’s entrepreneurial spirit, they produce a variety of high-quality products—cushions, curtains, and bedspreads—in a highly competitive field filled with imports from large Indian and Chinese businesses. Alpha Embroidery has successfully found the niche in the city center market through unique interior design and the fulfillment of special orders for various homes and restaurants. And, as Alpha Embroidery has grown, so has the opportunity to socially transform the lives of their employees.
John and Margaret now have 15 employees, most of whom are young women who dropped out of primary education. Some of the employees are also former prostitutes who are now gainfully employed, able to support their children through their work. In order to provide these opportunities for ongoing employment, John takes the risk and extra expenses of hiring inexperienced workers; Margaret then guides the women through intensive training toward a maturity of the skills needed to continue in the field of tapestry.
Not only did their business grow, but over the years, John and Margaret’s understanding of a locally-owned business has also grown. Through their mentoring relationships, their outlook on the role as employers has been transformed. According to John, he learned from his cell group peers “that you can be a compassionate businessperson” and “succeed while still giving”. As compassionate businesspeople with much integrity, John and Margaret encourage their employees to be proud of who they are and what they do. Through their commitment to provide ongoing employment for those who need it most, John and Margaret are transformers of lives.