How One Woman is Redefining Skincare with Nature’s Power

From Personal Struggle to Beauty Empire:

When Emma created Busu, it wasn’t just about skincare—it was about solving a problem she had battled since childhood.

Growing up with eczema, she spent years being misdiagnosed and relying on steroid treatments that offered little relief. Frustrated, she turned to her grandparents, who introduced her to the power of botanical remedies. The result? Longer-lasting relief, fewer side effects, and a deep appreciation for nature’s healing abilities.

Years later, history repeated itself—her newborn son developed the same condition. When COVID-19 cut off access to pharmacy treatments, she found herself back where she started, relying on her family’s knowledge. But this time, she took it further. She spent months consulting diverse communities across Kenya, learning about their ancestral beauty secrets. In her own kitchen, she started formulating products—blending tradition, science, and nature.

That’s how Busu was born. A name that means “a kiss from Mother Nature” in Swahili, and a brand that’s changing how people care for their skin.

From Corporate Life to CEO: A Financial Journey Fueled by Determination

Before launching Busu, Emma had built a 17-year corporate career in marketing. She took a leap of faith, investing her savings into her first prototypes and product testing.

📍 2021: She launched market testing, using her own funds and support from family and friends.
📍 2022: As demand surged, she secured grants—including winning the Visa competition, which became a key turning point.
📍 2023-Present: With overseas expansion in sight, she leveraged SCB’s funding and strategic support to fuel Busu’s next stage of growth.

From Kitchen Blends to a Beauty Powerhouse

Turning a homemade remedy into a full-fledged beauty brand wasn’t easy—especially in the capital-intensive world of manufacturing.

Emma knew she needed more than just a great product—she needed funding, mentorship, and business strategy to scale. That’s when Standard Chartered entered the picture. Through SCB’s financing programs and accelerator initiatives, she gained access to:

·Growth capital to scale her manufacturing operations

·Mentorship & networking through SCB-led events

·Wealth planning & reinvestment strategies to expand beyond East Africa

A truly game-changing opportunity that fueled her company’s growth.

Today, Busu is thriving across East Africa with plans to expand into new African markets—and ultimately, onto the global stage.

Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry

Building a beauty manufacturing company as a female founder came with unique challenges:

🚧 Lack of access to industry knowledge – She had to seek out business coaching and accelerator programs to gain strategic insights.

🚧 High operational costs – Manufacturing is capital-heavy, and securing consistent funding was an ongoing challenge.

🚧 Earning respect in a male-dominated space – As a woman in manufacturing, gaining credibility was tough. She had to perfect her product and brand positioning to stand out and make investors take notice.

But she refused to let barriers define her journey.

From a personal struggle to a multi-market beauty brand, Emma proves that resilience, innovation, and the right financial support can turn a challenge into a global success story.

This is just the beginning.

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