Navigate the waves of e-commerce brilliance with Kitengela. In this interview, gain valuable insights into the journey that has propelled Kitengela to the forefront of the online business world, uncovering the strategies that set them apart in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape.
1. Can you introduce yourself and Kitengela?
My name is Anselm Croze. Kitengela Hot Glass recycle and transform scrap glass into objects that address a need or purpose, fulfil a function or desire, while providing training and skills.
2. How was Kitengela born? How did you start?
I started it in 1992, with a passion to blow glass. The big idea was to add glass as a medium to the craft landscape in Kenya, as there is a strong grassroots recycling ethos in the country, and much skill in the hands of Kenyans.
3. What makes Kitengela different? Can you explain your products with details?
The synergy between our several studios – we have glassblowing as our core, but we also have a metal workshop, a dalle de verre (glass in concrete) workshop, bead making, a lighting department, and a mural and sculpture department.
Our products are iconic, artistic, creative, functional recycled Kenyan glass that makes people happy. We have thousands of different items – our shopify website is dual purpose – both a portfolio and a shop.
4. What reactions do you get from your clients? Do they love your products?
They love the uniqueness, the fact that it’s environmentally friendly, handmade, (relatively) affordable, quality products. They love to watch glass being made – its a mesmerising and hypnotic process. We have a staunch local following and a growing global audience whose current trends include eco consciousness, requirement of provenance & fair-trade principles. On FB and IG we have 70,000 followers.
We have clients from all over the world who state that their Kitengela glasses are amongst their most precious possessions. There seems to be a feel good factor built in to our products – this proved itself during COVID – i thought that we would certainly be (justifiably) sidelined for more frontline commodities, but was pleasantly surprised by the fact that there was still demand for what we do.
5. What are the advantages of Kitengela?
Environmental – waste glass gets reused instead of becoming landfill.
Environmental – waste newspapers and boxes used for packing.
Environmental – used oil gets incinerated cleanly.
Economic – employment of 50 people directly.
Economic – outsourcing metal, bags, oil supply – creates employment and revenue for 50 people indirectly.
Social – posterchild for renewable innovation.
Social – posterchild for entrepreneurship.
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