My Life Is Metallic: From Ksh.5,000 to a National Metal Empire

By Irene Nasimiyu - "My life is metallic," Aghlighter, famously known as Mama Gift, declared with a warm smile as I stepped into her home an empire where every metal creation seemed to tell a story.

What began in 2012 with a modest capital of Ksh.5,000 has blossomed into a thriving enterprise named “Simplifying Gifting a Mum”, a name that continues to inspire customers to buy her handcrafted products as heartfelt gifts for their mothers.

 "With Ksh.5,000, I bought linus, and selling them all at once was so motivating," she recalled.

It didn’t take long for Aghlighter to realize the value of innovation. By adding frames to the linus, she began producing traditional stoves, popularly known as jikos. That marked the turning point for her business, leading to a steady increase in demand and stock.

Aghlighter learned early on to anticipate seasonal demand.

"I made sure I had enough jikos for December and January," she explained.

She then diversified her product line, introducing metallic boxes and keenly studying market trends. Her decision to source raw materials directly from Nairobi’s industrial area marked a major step forward in the growth of her business.

By 2018, she had fully embraced product diversification, transforming her venture into a one-stop shop for metalwork. Through regular follow-ups and active engagement with her clients, Aghlighter fostered trust that led to countless referrals.

Aghlighter at her store selecting items needed to make Jiko Uhai a type of jiko that consumes less briquettes/charcoal. An order to be delivered in two days time. Photo Credit/Irene

"Follow-ups with every client led to referrals, and the cycle just continued," she shared.

Her reputation has grown beyond metallic items. Today, many clients seek her for services even outside her field, and she earns commissions by connecting them with reliable artisans.

Building a Workshop and Empowering Others

In 2019, Aghlighter set up a full-time workshop. She began purchasing materials in bulk and strategically outsourced labor to skilled artisans, assigning them tasks based on their strengths. From metallic boxes and chip warmers to sufuria holders, stoves, smoke pipes, flower vessels, feeders, and gutters, she managed it all like a seasoned CEO.

Time management, she says, is critical.

"I ensure I make products in advance to save customers time," she emphasized.

Sourcing premium materials from Nairobi not only boosted her output but also contributed significantly to her savings. 

The Power of Online Marketing and Strategic Networking

Aghlighter’s serious foray into marketing began in 2017.

"With online marketing, you reach the whole world. I can attest to that."

A Google search for “types of jikos” led her to a sample of a three-in-one energy-saving jiko. With no actual product in hand, she posted a photo online with her number.

“I am making these beautiful jikos—here’s how to reach me.”

When a potential customer reached out, Aghlighter initially blocked her, fearing it was a prank. But the customer’s persistence made her reconsider, and that moment changed everything.

Her next post was bold: “I’m looking for people who can make such jikos in Kisii.” Her comment section came alive. She was tagged alongside experts like Gladys Mareria and Jane. She traveled to Kisii, watched them closely, learned fast, and got the job done.

 “That was the beginning of making good money,” she recalled.

Soon after, a Ksh.50,000 order came in from a Nairobi client seeking an institutional stove for a hospital in Kimilili. More posts, more tags, and more connections followed. Today, Aghlighter has made and delivered jikos across nearly all 47 counties in Kenya, and even shipped one to Germany as a gift from a daughter to her mother.

Growth, Partnerships, and a Legacy of Empowerment

Surprisingly, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 became a turning point. Her large-scale purchases of linus caught the attention of production centers, leading to a partnership with GIZ (German Corporation for International Cooperation). GIZ offered her training in distributorship, customer care, and leadership.

One of the artisans at a home store making the chips gutters and decorating the pots vessels for delivery.Photo/Irene

By 2023, Aghlighter had become a certified trainer of trainers. And in 2024, she trained groups from 27 counties in just four months.

"I've truly come to learn the power of networking through participants in this field," she said. "Today, I believe in the power of sharing and caring."

She no longer needs to be physically present for every project. She now coordinates operations remotely, receiving progress photos from her trusted artisans in the field.

"I am so proud of myself," she beamed. "I left my banking job to start this business. I never imagined I’d be creating job opportunities for others."

She has empowered over 700 people across the country and now leads a core team of 10 skilled artisans who can work independently.

“Today, I know my work serves as a blessing to many homes, because most of what I make ends up as gifts to parents.”

Indeed, 75% of her stoves are gifted, true to her brand name: Simplifying Gifting a Mum.

Aghlighter’s journey is a powerful testament to vision, resilience, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship. From humble beginnings with Ksh.5,000, she has built more than a business, she’s sparked a movement that empowers, connects, and inspires.