10 Questions to Roy Gachoki, Managing Director Imani Flowers

Roy Gachoki is the Managing Director of the summer flowers grower, Imani Flowers. Through his answers to the 10 questions this week, you will learn about his floral journey which began upon completing his university degree.

Having been in the summer flowers business for over a decade, Roy details his journey, challenges, and milestones. Managing Imani Flowers, with an acreage of 30 hectares and more, consistently growing and producing quality summers has positioned the farm well in the market. This is an achievement Roy attributes to the company's incredible team and investment in technologies that enhance optimal and sustainable growth.

Read the journey and story of Imani Flowers in detail here.

Question 1

For those who don’t know you, who are you, and what do you do?

"Hello, I’m Roy Ndubai Gachoki, a flower grower, the Managing Director of Imani Flowers, and one of the many humans experiencing this glorious universe! I do not have a family of my own, but I’m a member of a beautiful, loud, loving, and colorful family of five. My mother, who left us in September 2021 (after a brave and long battle with cancer) began Imani Flowers Ltd, and I joined her in the early days almost immediately after graduating from university."

My job entails overseeing the smooth running of our business innovating/charting/creating the way forward for it."

Question 2

What is so special about your job?

"It is also special because we’re in the business of growing and distributing beauty which adds a spark of joy and color to many people's lives. My role impacts many people, directly and indirectly, it improves lives and provides opportunities. It’s funny because I hate titles, I hate the M.D. title, not the responsibility, but the title itself and the impression it gives people. Another funny thing is that, people who work with us but have never met me almost always assume that I’m a lot older than I am."

Question 3

Are there any specific challenges or obstacles you’ve faced at work, and how did you overcome them?

"Yes, plenty of challenges. But primarily all of the little (and not so little) challenges add up to the largest challenge in the end. The main challenge for us is remaining consistent, this is not easy in an ever-changing, unpredictable environment, our clients demand consistency in both quality and quantity, but so many factors can bring about changes.

We try to remain consistent by controlling all the variables that we can, from the varieties we grow, research and development, timing of plantings, our soil health, and accurate fertigation. All these are based on real-time soil readings, monitoring the climate (and mitigating against poor climate as best we can), ensuring we have access to adequate water, appropriate infrastructure, assets, and stakeholders, and staying up to date with government regulations. "

Question 4

What are the threats in the industry, and if so, do you have any solutions for them?

"Plenty; ever-changing government regulations, which affect every industry really, increasing the cost of doing business. We are paying higher levies to all sorts of regulatory bodies, from KEBS to HCDA, and now a levy remitted to KenTrade, the Unique Consignment Reference fees, despite the payment we make to HCDA, this is bad for business.

Climate change, this year has been quite unpredictable, with above-average rainfall in our location, it has affected our forecasting, our work-flow, and our ability to predict the types of pests and diseases we need to prepare for in specific seasons. For this reason, we have adopted technologies to enable us to protect our investment and ensure productivity + accurate forecasting. Geopolitical instability (wars in the Middle East, the Ukraine war) are also among the recent threats we have had to deal with."

Question 5

How has technology like e-commerce platforms or digital marketing affected your industry, which strategies have you employed to stay competitive?

"E-commerce/digital marketing has allowed us access to markets all across the globe. We are also members of the Royal FloraHolland co-operative, and their platform has been impactful. These platforms allow us to market all our products and sell to a diverse clientele.

To be competitive, we try as much as possible to be as accurate as we can and control all the things that we can control. We try to incorporate all the tech available to us to achieve those objectives, and increase efficiency. Monitoring inventory, soil health, water usage, climate, etc. But I think most importantly has been creating an enabling environment for our people, creating a sense of ownership."

Question 6

Who (in or outside the floral industry) is an inspiring example to you? And Why?

"Well, my beloved mother, Bilha Gichuru, is my greatest inspiration, she was an intelligent, compassionate, vibrant, kind, disciplined, and organized woman, full of vision on whose shoulders I and my family stand. She taught me all that I know in business and is the pioneer and founder of Imani Flowers, I continue to follow her example in this business as I incorporate the things that I have learned thus far."

Question 7

How do you handle stress or difficult moments in your life?

"Imani means faith, I rely on my faith in our creator to guide me. A large part of life is suffering, and pain, but a large part of life is also happiness, creation, and beauty. Acknowledging that life is an ebb and flow of these things, gives me peace, as a wise man said “Is it not true that the lute that soothes your spirit is the very wood that was hollowed with knives?"

Question 8

What has been the best (floral or non-floral) news for you lately, or of the last year?

"The best news so far is that we have conducted some trials of Gypsophilla Xlence and they have gone great, we have gone commercial with this product. We are also expanding our assortments, and it seems to be going swimmingly for the most part."

Question 9

Which is your favorite flower/plant and why is it good for you?

"My favorite flower is Kangaroo Paw Early Spring, it has a velvety, deep red look and grows splendidly in our environment. It’s a great filler, and a unique one indeed!"

Question 10

What are you doing this weekend?

"Rock climbing ☺️ "

All pictures courtesy of Roy Gachoki.