Syracuse University Whitman School of Management Logo Syracuse University Whitman School of Management Logo
    • About
    • Apply Now
    • Awards and Rankings
    • Directions for Getting to Whitman
    • Events
    • Leadership
    • Life in Syracuse
    • Newsroom
    • Visiting Syracuse, NY
    • Whitman Publications
    • Undergraduate
    • Class Profile
    • Dual Programs
    • Goodman IMPRESS Program
    • Undergraduate Admissions
    • Undergraduate Advising Resources
    • Undergraduate Majors
    • Undergraduate Placement
    • Whitman Graduation
    • Whitman Student Clubs
    • Why Whitman
    • Graduate
    • Certificates for Graduate Study
    • Full-time Masters Program
    • Full-time MBA Program
    • Full-time M.S. Admissions
    • Grad Lead Form
    • Graduate Employment Outcomes
    • Graduate Program Advising
    • Master's Degree Financing Options
    • Master's Degree Partnerships
    • Online Masters Programs
    • Ph.D. Programs
    • Faculty and Research
    • Academic Areas
    • Centers and Institutes
    • Faculty & Staff Directory
    • Faculty Resources

Information for

  • Alumni Engagement and Advancement
  • Career Center
  • Current Student Resources
  • Defense Programs
  • Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
  • Executive Education
  • Experiential Programs
  • Global Programs
  • Industry Partners
  • Programs for Veterans
  • Recruiting at Whitman
  • Student Technology Center
Syracuse University Whitman School of Management Logo
When autocomplete results are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select.
Apply Visit Contact
  • Homepage
  • About
  • Whitman Publications
  • Whitman Across the Globe
  • Study Abroad Programs 
  • Kenya Immersion Blog
  • Global Influences in Kenyan Companies

  • Whitman Immersion Programs
  • Whitman Across the Globe
  • Florence Blog
  • Madrid Blog
  • London Blog

Global Influences in Kenyan Companies


By Max Nicholson 


Today has been both a productive and busy day! We spent the morning exploring the production locations of two businesses, Bush Princess and Sandstorm, as well as checking out some interesting coffee spots. In both of these companies, the owners have come to Kenya from another country to start their businesses; they shared their understanding of global business and how their backgrounds influence their strategies.


We had the opportunity to reconnect with Lotti, the owner of Bush Princess, after shopping at her store at the beginning of the trip. We toured her factory, saw how products are made, and learned about her future marketing plans.


To recharge for the rest of the day, we went to Matbronze Cafe, which sells numerous bronze figures of elephants, zebras, and other local animals. We never expected this cafe to have so many eclectic products, but we ended up spending almost thirty minutes browsing the artwork, including the life-size bronze lion!


The team then headed out to Opportunity Factory, a collaboration space for businesses powered by Sandstorm. Sandstorm is a high-end bag producer in Kenya that uses quality Kenyan leather to create its products. Mark, the CEO, began his career in advertising, had Sandstorm as a client, and eventually bought the company. Sandstorm is set apart from many other businesses because of its philosophy on the treatment of employees. For example, Mark noticed that one of his employees frequently struggled with eye strain, which prompted him to offer his workers eye tests and glasses to ensure they were as comfortable as possible. He wants to ensure this company thrives in Kenya before considering international retail expansion. Our time at Sandstorm reminded the team that empathy is the key to creating a strong business culture.


The last stop of the day was at Muthaiga Tea Company, which was the company we completed our final projects on for SOM 354. We were given a three-course tea pairing where we got to sample delicious dishes and pair them with a tea which shared a similar flavor profile. With every course, we learned about the tea and how it was grown. The owner of MTC, Tee, was welcoming to all of us and enthusiastic to share her vision of how tea should be an experience, not just a beverage. The team was moved by the entire MTC team’s hospitality and knowledge of the tea, as well as their appreciation for each individual blend. 

 

Syracuse University Whitman School of Management Logo
  • 721 University Avenue,
    Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244
  • (315) 443-3751
  • Give Back to Whitman
  • Academic Areas
  • Newsroom
  • Directory
  • MyWhitman
  • facebook icon
  • twitter/X icon
  • instagram
  • linkedin logo
Syracuse University Block LogoSyracuse University Home
© 2025 Martin J. Whitman School of Management Privacy Policy Accessibility