Vincent’s Story
Before being awarded a business grant in 2022, Vincent, a coffee farmer and Kula Fellow, had experience making shoes but was unable to turn that skill into a profitable business due to lack of startup capital. Paired with his own savings, Vincent invested his award well, purchasing needed materials and equipment, and eventually growing the value of his business to 2.9x the value of his investment.
Since then, Vincent has started sharing his knowledge and passion in the community by teaching others how to make shoes, employing two of his neighbors so far. With the money he’s earned, he’s been able to renovate his home – replacing dirt floors with concrete and covering mud walls with plaster – and pay school fees for his three sons.
