Wacera Kieha is a coffee lover and adventurer, who enjoys bringing people together. During her evenings and weekends, you’ll often catch her exploring different cafes and farms, indulging in and expanding her understanding of coffee. That love for coffee and community is what sparked Over a Drink.

1.Describe the business – What do you do and where are you based?

    Over a Drink is a Kenyan coffee brand celebrating life and love, one cup at a time. We curate premium coffee, accessories, and experiences, focusing on exceptional quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability.

    We partner with small-scale Kenyan farmers who share our values of ethical and sustainable production and sourcing practices, ensuring a positive impact on the environment and the local coffee industry. For our accessories, we source globally or collaborate with Kenyan artisans using natural materials. Our signature events, called “experiences,” bring people together to share their love for coffee and learn from each other.

    2. How did the business get started?

    Over a Drink grew from my love of content creation, where I used my blog and YouTube channel to share stories and host events. The pandemic paused this project, but in July 2023, I revived it with a mission to build a vibrant community through coffee and impactful experiences.

    The first year was about testing ideas and hosting events. The lessons and feedback allowed me to refine my vision and decided to source brewing equipment directly from China, alongside launching our own packaged coffee instead of reselling other brands. The goal is to be your one-stop shop for coffee, from the coffee, and accessories to memorable connections.

    3. Is there a set of skills you need to run a business like this? Which ones do you have?

    Coffee knowledge is essential, and while I don’t have a professional coffee background, I’m constantly learning and embracing the continuous journey of exploration. It’s a win-win for both personal and business growth.

    Bookkeeping is not fun but is an important skill in making financing decisions like budgeting, cash flow, statutory deductions, and expenditures. My accounting background gives me a strong foundation for managing business finances.

    Content creation is a crucial skill for any modern business. Navigating the ever-changing social media landscape is challenging, but it’s a key way to connect with our community and grow our brand. I look forward to bringing back my content-creation spirit.

    4. What would you like to see more of, especially in Kenya, when it comes to the kind of business you run?

    Kenya has a rich coffee heritage built upon the hard work of small-scale farmers, particularly women. I believe in fair compensation for their efforts and advocate for regulations that support them and businesses like ours. Additionally, I hope for a conducive business environment that encourages and empowers entrepreneurs.

    5. Where did you find the inspiration for this business?

    The inspiration for Over a Drink is simple: my love for coffee and building communities. Coffee brings people together, and “Over a Drink” captures that essence of connection.

    6. What have been some of the challenges you’ve faced? Lessons learned?

    Coffee is heavily regulated in Kenya, making entry difficult for small businesses with limited resources. We view this as an opportunity to improve the coffee culture and industry through ethical and sustainable practices, from sourcing to packaging. I have learnt that being part of communities opens doors for new opportunities, learning and partnerships.

    7. What has been your proudest moment/achievement so far?

    Our first shipment of brewing equipment and merchandise from China was a major milestone, even with the initial worries about potential loss.Launching our first coffee, “Over a Drink Coffee: Kirinyaga (Kenya) Anaerobic Medium Roast Ground/Beans,” was a joyful and proud moment and exciting for the future.

    Building and launching our website myself, was a significant achievement, providing a user-friendly platform for our community to shop, connect, and share their coffee passion.

    8. Where would you like to see the business go over the next 3 years?

    I always wanted to be a café owner and that dream has evolved from a café to a coffee lab. A space for coffee enthusiasts to connect, collaborate, test new brews, and engage in coffee-related research. In three years, I envision this coffee lab thriving, working with coffee farmers across Kenya, and expanding our coffee sales internationally.

    9. What advice would you give women looking to take the leap into running their own business?

    Start! It’s a challenging yet fulfilling journey. Be open to learning, network, ask questions, support others, and most importantly, have fun!

    Bonus Question

    10. What are some of your favourite businesses/brands in the digital marketing space that are women-owned/led in Africa?

    Pointzero Coffee, Ulimi Green, Kissaprica, Muthaiga Tea Company, Erlu Tea, Canopy, This is Essentials, Bandari Beauty, Keenara Ventures, Kenya Originals, Vivo, Nairobi Coffee Lab, Revolutionary Coffee, Greenthing, Somanami and Kahawa 1893.

    You can contact Over a Drink through the channels below.

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