If you want to understand what it really takes to build a new Kenyan flower brand from the ground up while staying anchored in faith, family, and people, you will want to read Yvonne Tirop’s story. As Head of Commercial at Mona Flowers in Eldoret, she is helping shape a young high-altitude farm into a serious global contender, guiding everything from market development to brand trust at a time when customers expect excellence from the very first shipment. With more than two decades in floriculture, Yvonne brings a rare mix of commercial insight and human warmth to a role where every decision affects not only markets, but also the many hands behind each stem.
In this week's 10 questions feature, she opens up about what makes her work special, the realities of launching a new farm without legacy clients, and the pressures of rising costs, shifting climate, and stricter sustainability demands. She talks honestly about the women who inspire her, the quiet strength she draws from her late husband, how she handles personal and professional storms, and why technology has become a powerful tool for Mona Flowers in its first commercial months. If you are curious about leadership, resilience, and what it takes to build a fresh Kenyan floral brand for the world, her answers will give you both insight and encouragement to keep reading.
Question 1
For those who don’t know you, who are you and what do you do?
"My name is Yvonne Tirop, and I am the Head of Commercial at Mona Flowers, a new high-altitude flower farm located in Eldoret in the highland region of Rift Valley, Kenya. Mona Flowers is a new and ambitious farm, built on premium quality, sustainability, and a vision to introduce a fresh, vibrant Kenyan brand to the global floriculture market. With our unique altitude advantage and a passionate team, we are committed to producing cut flowers with strong stems, large head sizes (T hybrids), and long vase life.
I have served in the floriculture industry for over 20 years, with extensive experience in commercial leadership and international trade. Throughout my career, I have been privileged to work with global markets, develop strong commercial partnerships, and interact with people from diverse cultures. These experiences have enriched both my personal and professional journey and growth.
At Mona Flowers, I provide strategic direction across our commercial function, overseeing commercial planning, market development, brand positioning, and customer partnerships to drive the company’s growth and competitiveness in global markets. My focus is to ensure our premium flowers successfully reach clients across the world while positioning Mona Flowers as a trusted, competitive, and future-focused partner in the industry. I am proud to be part of this exciting chapter, shaping a brand from the ground up and showcasing the beauty of flowers from Mona on the global stage."
Question 2
What is so special about your job?
"Flowers evoke emotion; they celebrate love, comfort us in difficult moments, and uplift spaces with beauty. Being part of a product that brings joy and is integral to life’s most meaningful occasions is truly special.
At Mona Flowers, every day feels new and inspiring: watching new crops develop and bloom, shaping a brand from its foundation, and connecting the beauty grown in our farm to consumers around the world. What I find especially rewarding is the positive impact on livelihoods. Behind every single stem are dedicated hands, our growers, value adders, and the other partners & players in the industry, all working together to deliver excellence.
This industry is more than business; it is a global chain of passion and purpose. Through flowers, we have the privilege of bringing the world together in moments that truly matter."
Question 3
Are there any specific challenges or obstacles you’ve faced in your job, and how did you overcome them?
"Launching a brand-new farm commercially is no small feat. We began with no legacy customers and no historical performance to reference, yet the market demands quality and consistency from day one. One of the biggest early concerns at Mona was building trust with clients for a completely new brand.
We focused on transparency and consistency as our foundation, rigorous sampling. We listened carefully to feedback and responded quickly to customer needs. Engaging buyers through trade forums and virtual meetings, and ensuring strong post-harvest quality in every shipment. Over time, this steady and reliable approach helped us earn confidence in both our product and our brand. Today, markets that initially approached us with caution are embracing Mona Flowers with enthusiasm, a rewarding validation of our commitment, our teamwork, and the quality we stand for."
Question 4
What are the threats in the industry, and if so, do you have any solutions for them?
"The flower industry is constantly navigating different challenges, rising production costs, climate change effects, high freight costs, and stricter sustainability requirements. At times, compliance can feel overwhelming, but it is essential for the future of our sector.
I believe the strongest solution lies in collaboration and transparency across the entire value chain. When breeders, growers, logistics providers, exporters, distributors, and even consumers work with aligned expectations, sustainability becomes a shared achievement, not a burden on one player. Technology and data-driven production will also continue to play a major role, helping farms reduce waste, improve efficiency, and remain competitive in a fast-changing global marketplace."
Question 5
How has technology like e-commerce platforms or digital marketing affected your industry? Which strategies have you employed to stay competitive?
"Technology has greatly transformed how the flower industry operates and how to connect with the market. The rise of e-commerce platforms and online marketing has increased visibility and opened new sales channels to customers around the world.
As a new farm in our first months of commercial production, digital platforms are helping us gain visibility much faster than traditional sales channels would have allowed. For a young farm like Mona, technology is not just an advantage; it is a powerful accelerator that allows us to compete and build trust in the global marketplace much sooner."
Question 6
Who (in or outside the floral industry) is an inspiring example to you? And Why?
"I am inspired by the many women leaders in floriculture who continue to rise above challenges, break boundaries, and open doors for others in the industry. Equally, I draw inspiration from the women working in our farms every day, their resilience, skill, and care help create a beautiful product that reaches the world. They show that everyone, no matter how small their role may seem, can create an impact that is felt worldwide through the beauty of flowers.
On a personal note, my greatest inspiration is my late husband. He lived with dignity, humility, and deep integrity. His example reminds me daily to live with purpose, stay true to my values, and give my whole heart to the work I do, knowing that every effort can leave a positive and lasting mark."
Question 7
How do you handle stress or difficult moments in your life?
"I lean on faith, family, and the sisterhood of close friends who lift me and remind me that I am never alone. I also rely on structure, breaking challenges into smaller, manageable steps and focusing on what I can control in the moment.
I have learned that challenges don’t define us; how we respond to them does. I try to stay grounded, take each day as it comes, and draw strength from the love and support around me."
Question 8
What has been the best (floral or non-floral) news for you lately, or of the last year?
"The most exciting news has been seeing Mona Flowers successfully enter the global market. Receiving strong, positive feedback from our first customers, watching our roses showcased internationally, and experiencing the genuine excitement around the Mona brand have been incredibly rewarding. It has given our team great confidence and confirmed that we are building something truly special.
On a personal note, I am also grateful for the resilience and growth I have seen in my children. Their courage and strength through life’s changes have been a blessing and a constant reminder of what truly matters. Both professionally and personally, it has been a year filled with milestones that I deeply appreciate."
Question 9
Which is your favorite flower and why?
"Difficult one, because every flower, every variety has something special to offer, from colour, scent, and shape to the emotion it brings out. What I truly appreciate is how flowers can take on different roles; they can make a bold statement in a bouquet, create elegance in an event setting, or simply brighten a room at home."
Question 10
What keeps you grounded and fulfilled in your life?
"What keeps me grounded is my children, my faith, and the strong circle of family and friends around me. They remind me of what truly matters and give me the strength to show up fully in all that I do. The moments that fulfill me most are the simple ones: laughter at home, meaningful conversations, and quiet moments of reflection and gratitude.
Those experiences remind me that my greatest purpose is to live a life rooted in love, connection, and grace; to appreciate every minute God has given me in this world, appreciate life as it is, and remain present to the beauty in every day."
Yvonne’s story is a reminder that leadership goes far beyond strategy. It is shaped by resilience, rooted values, and the strength to build something meaningful from the ground up. Her journey at Mona Flowers reflects both the promise of a rising Kenyan brand and the power of a woman leading with clarity, purpose, and heart.
If you found Yvonne's story inspiring and would love to see more voices like hers featured, we invite you to share your recommendations. Send us names of individuals or thought leaders you believe should be part of our upcoming '10 Questions' features. Write to edwin@thursd.com; your input helps us spotlight the stories shaping the floral world today.
Pictures by Yvonne Tirop.
