Kase Abusharkh and Amy Berry are the dynamic duo behind the successful business empire, Kase & Amy Co. What started as a passion project has now turned into a thriving business that has taken the world by storm.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at how Kase and Amy turned their passion into a successful business empire and the lessons we can learn from their journey.
Born Into Poverty
Kase Abusharkh and Amy Berry were both born into poverty in Kenya. Kase’s family struggled to get by on her father’s meager income working as a farmer. Amy’s single mother raised Amy and her siblings with very little. Despite their challenging early beginnings, both Kase and Amy were determined to work hard and make the most of any opportunities that came their way.
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Raised In Kenya
Kase and Amy grew up in rural villages in Kenya. They witnessed firsthand the environmental degradation and lack of access to resources that many communities in developing nations face. From a young age, both were interested in finding ways to empower people and strengthen the sustainability of local economies. After completing primary school in Kenya, they were each awarded scholarships to continue their education abroad thanks to their strong academic performance.
Educated in the U.S.
Kase and Amy both immigrated to the United States to attend university on full scholarships. Kase studied Business Administration at Western Washington University, while Amy earned a degree in Environmental Science from the University of Oregon.
It was during their studies that they began exploring ideas about how to address social and environmental issues through innovative business models. They dreamed of one day returning to Kenya to make a positive difference through eco-friendly products and services.
How They Discovered Their Passion for Eco-Innovation
Both Kase and Amy had witnessed environmental and resource issues firsthand growing up in Kenya. While studying abroad, they were inspired by the potential for innovation to address sustainability challenges in meaningful ways.
Kase became passionate about social entrepreneurship after interning at a startup creating renewable energy solutions. She was fascinated by their work tackling real problems through business.Amy discovered her calling during a class project where she proposed ways to manage waste and promote recycling in low-income communities. Researching the lack of access to basic needs like clean cooking fueled her drive.
Bringing their interests together, they realized eco-friendly product development could provide livelihoods while uplifting the very populations vulnerable to issues like pollution and resource scarcity. This planted the seeds for what would become EcoZen Innovations.
The Challenges They Faced in Pursuing Their Dream
After graduation, Kase and Amy worked hard to save money for their venture. However, launching a startup is challenging under any circumstances. As women of color from developing countries, they faced even greater obstacles to securing funding from skeptical investors. Some doubted their vision could become reality given their humble backgrounds. But their commitment to helping communities in Kenya drove them to persist in the face of adversity.
The Products and Services They Offer
Kase and Amy co-founded EcoZen Innovations, a social enterprise based in Nairobi, Kenya. Through their company, they produce affordable cookstoves that reduce smoke exposure and carbon emissions. Called “Chuma,” the cookstoves burn 70% less fuel than traditional open fires. This saves families money on fuel costs and emissions. EcoZen has sold over 25,000 Chuma stoves to date.
In addition to cookstoves, EcoZen designs other useful products from recycled materials. Their goods include water carriers, charcoal briquettes, and bags made from plastic waste. By diverting plastics from the ocean and landfill, EcoZen’s products prevent pollution while providing dignified work. Weavers, metalworkers, and other artisans in Kenya are employed to manufacture the various EcoZen items.
EcoZen also runs the “Chuma Schools” program. Women entrepreneurs are trained in business skills, product assembly, and environmental stewardship. They then sell Chuma stoves in their communities to generate income. Over 1,000 “Chuma Mamas” have graduated from the program so far, gaining financial independence.
The Awards and Recognition They Have Received
Kase and Amy’s dedication and successes have earned EcoZen numerous honors. In 2016, they received the Cartier Women’s Initiative Award, a prestigious prize for female social entrepreneurs. They have also been recognized by the Obama Foundation as white house champions of change for their green business model.
EcoZen’s work reducing household air pollution through clean cookstoves was featured in National Geographic. The company won the Global Innovation through Science and Technology category at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in 2017 as well. Kase herself made Forbes magazine’s “30 Under 30” list for her leadership of EcoZen.
Clearly, Kase and Amy’s vision and determination have not gone unnoticed on the global stage. Their awards reflect how EcoZen exemplifies sustainable solutions born from grassroots innovation.
The Impact They Have Made
EcoZen’s products and programs have significantly improved lives in Kenya. Through their clean cookstoves, over 150,000 tonnes of carbon emissions have been prevented from reaching the atmosphere. This is the equivalent of removing over 30,000 cars from the road annually.
The health impacts have also been immense. Research shows the Chuma stove reduces harmful indoor air pollution by over 80%, protecting users from respiratory illnesses. This is especially important for women, who disproportionately suffer from conditions like pneumonia due to time spent cooking. With less smoke inhalation, families enjoy a higher quality of life.
Economically, EcoZen boosts local communities. The “Chuma Mamas” employment program has empowered over 1,000 entrepreneurs to support themselves through selling stoves. Artisans gain stable incomes too from manufacturing EcoZen goods. This community-focused approach lifts living standards for thousands of Kenyans.
By diverting waste from landfills and oceans, EcoZen’s products also help the broader environment. Their recycling initiatives organized with local partners extend the useful lifespan of materials. This sustainable model shows developing solutions need not harm the planet in the long run.
The Future Plans and Goals
Kase and Amy have ambitious visions for expanding EcoZen’s mission in the years ahead. Their goal is to establish the company as a leading social enterprise in Africa.
By 2025, they aim to sell 500,000 clean cookstoves across multiple countries, averting 1 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. EcoZen also plans to launch new recycled product lines like water bottles and add additional training centers for their “Chuma Mamas” program.
Longer term, Kase and Amy dream of EcoZen becoming a globally recognized brand that transforms views about sustainability solutions from the developing world. They want their success to inspire countless other visionary social entrepreneurs, especially women and youth.
Through leveraging investors and strategic partnerships, EcoZen will continue developing its distribution network across rural Africa. With targeted expansion, their goal within the next decade is for over 5 million families to benefit from reduced smoke and lower fuel costs thanks to the clean cookstoves.
Kase and Amy also aspire to introduce pay-for-service home energy products powered by renewables like solar. This would take their impact even further by providing off-grid energy access for basic needs like lighting and device charging.
The Advice They Have for Aspiring Eco-Innovators
Based on their journey so far, Kase and Amy have wise counsel for future social entrepreneurs seeking to drive change through green business.
They stress the importance of truly understanding community needs from direct observation and conversations. Don’t assume an outsider’s perspective is enough – immerse yourself in reality.
Perseverance is also key when challenges emerge. As Kase notes, “It takes hard work and patience to build a successful business, especially a social enterprise solving big problems.” Rejection is part of the process, so maintain optimism.
Their advice is to start small, test products locally, and refine based on user feedback before scaling up. Growth requires getting details and execution right initially.
Importantly, Kase advises partnering with local artisans, workers and organizations to jointly create dignified solutions and jobs. Outsider ideas aren’t always best – collaborate with insider expertise.
Generating sales and revenue are also priorities to become self-sufficient. “Focus on building a sustainable business model from the start,” says Amy. Grants and donations alone aren’t feasible in the long-run.
The Skills and Qualities They Have Developed
Running a successful enterprise like EcoZen has helped Kase and Amy cultivate many valuable skills and aptitudes over the years.
Both agree outstanding communication and relationship-building abilities have been paramount. From community outreach to investor pitches, their work requires deftly engaging diverse stakeholders.
Hard-earned business acumen including financial management, product development, and scaling distribution have also grown tremendously. Turning an idea into a six-figure operation demands diverse business expertise.
Leadership is undoubtedly a strong suit, whether unifying staff, women entrepreneurs or partners around the shared mission. Organizing cross-sector collaborations takes a strong direction.
Perseverance, resilience and work ethic are virtues that constant problem-solving and obstacles have reinforced. Sustained effort is needed to continuously progress.
Meanwhile, creativity and openness to new ideas let them reinvent approaches like product lines in response to changing needs and markets.
Self-awareness and reflection help them better understand stressors and balance work/life priorities too as the organization expands. Healthy practices are key to longevity.
The Partners and Supporters They Have Collaborated With
To scale their work, Kase and Amy have strategically partnered with various organizations and funders that share their mission.
At the community level in Kenya, they work closely with women’s collectives and local artisan groups central to manufacturing and sales. This grassroots collaboration gives EcoZen cultural grounding.
The United Nations Development Programme supports expanding the “Chuma Mamas” program, recognizing its job creation for achieving the SDGs.
Social investment funds like Cherie Blair Foundation for Women provide capital and mentoring. Importantly, partners understand challenges women entrepreneurs face.
The Kenyan government collaborates on initiatives like adopting EcoZen’s clean cookstoves for public facilities like schools and healthcare clinics.
Corporate partners like Safaricom, Kenya’s largest mobile network operator, help advance distribution and payments logistics through their digital infrastructure across the country.
Impact investors like Acumen and Village Capital offer not just funding but advice on scaling, strategy and governance refined over many ventures.
The Lessons and Insights They Have Learned
Throughout EcoZen’s journey so far, Kase and Amy have gained deep lessons and observations that inform their work.
They note the importance of balancing social good with business discipline. “A nonprofit model isn’t sustainable long-term without generating income,” says Amy. Impact requires self-sufficiency.
Listening to community perspectives humbled preconceptions and strengthened solutions. Kase realized “local people are the experts – our role is facilitating their priorities.”
Persevering despite hardships reinforced their calling. Amy learned that “when you truly care about a cause, challenges seem small compared to the difference you can make.”
Leading by example as women in a male-dominated region inspired others. Kase is proud that their success “shows what local women can achieve with opportunity.”
They recognize social enterprises require a parallel focus on people and profits. “Double bottom line” thinking maximizes benefit for all stakeholders.
The importance of celebrating small wins emerged too. Milestones like a stove installation or artisan graduating boost team motivation.
Management transition lessons also emerged – like the need for formalizing processes as the organization scales beyond the founders.
The Values and Principles They Follow
Kase and Amy are guided by strong values that have sustained EcoZen’s growth:
Community focus – Uplifting communities through viable livelihoods and environmental stewardship is their north star.
Inclusiveness – They prioritize women’s economic empowerment and access for all to their products/services regardless of background.
Sustainability – Both social and environmental dimensions are key to the long-term viability of their solutions.
Innovation – Creativity, iteration and adapting to needs drives them to improve existing offerings and envision new possibilities.
Partnership – Strategic relationships amplify their mission by combining complementary strengths for greater impact.
Empathy – Understanding perspectives from lived experiences of those they serve informs sensitive programming.
Transparency – Open communication and accountability to stakeholders is important for building trust over time.
Resilience – Persevering through challenges is necessary to achieve their bold yet meaningful visions for change.
These principles anchor Kase and Amy’s work as social entrepreneurs determined to make a lasting difference through EcoZen and inspire others with missions of their own.
The Benefits and Advantages They Enjoy
While the path has not been easy, Kase and Amy’s leadership has also enabled some key benefits:
Professional growth – They have gained extensive business and management experience running a thriving enterprise.
Financial security – As the company succeeds, it provides living wages, salaries and sustained income streams for founders.
Work-life balance – As mothers themselves, they cultivate family-friendly workplace policies for all employees.
Network & recognition – Through awards, their profile amplified EcoZen’s potential for partnerships, investments.
Social impact – Seeing real progress toward their mission of helping communities brings deep personal fulfillment.
Employee loyalty – Staff share the vision and take pride in contributing to the overall good of society and environment.
Scalability – Strong foundations and proof of concept established sets the stage for continued geographic expansion.
Ownership – Their stake in the business positions them well as agents of its long-term direction and legacy.
Wellness – Demanding work is balanced by physical/mental health support like time off or stress management.
Frequently Asked Question
What catalyzed their partnership?
Their shared vision and determination to break barriers fueld their partnership.
How do they complement each other?
Kase brings structure and strategy while Amy contributes creativity and innovation.
What innovations stem from them?
Their collaboration led to new solutions, products, and approaches in their fields.
Why is their collaboration groundbreaking?
It redefines success by transcending boundaries like gender in male-dominated industries.
What hurdles have they overcome?
They overcame challenges like biases and norms through their resilience and commitment
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