Key tips for financial sustainability

Monitor costs carefully – Invest in energy-efficient processes and optimise transport logistics.
Diversify revenue streams – Having multiple income sources reduces financial risk.
Engage with the community – Local participation in collection and recycling can boost long-term sustainability.
Track financial and impact performance – Regular reporting builds credibility and attracts future funding.

A clear financial plan helps keep your business stable, profitable, and growing.

 How the Flipflopi did it...

We identified three key sales channels:

Direct sales – Selling from our production facility in Lamu.
Distributors – Partnering with furniture retailers to increase market reach and order volumes.
Hotels & guesthouses – Targeting bulk orders in Lamu with our eco-friendly furniture designs.

Streamlining production and reducing costs

1. Simplifying moulds

We experimented with different plastic compositions and designs, but too many moulds increased complexity and costs.
Solution: We now use just five moulds to create all furniture parts (chair frames, desk legs, armrests, etc.).

2. Consumer research and digital sales

We partnered with Masters students to study Kenyan furniture-buying habits.
The research showed most customers search online, so we launched an e-commerce website.

Optimising deliveries

1. Domestic deliveries

Most customers were in Nairobi and Mombasa, over 650 km away.
Solution: Two delivery options:
- Local bus services (cheaper for customers).
- Courier services (faster, premium option).
Customers pay for delivery, ensuring profitability regardless of location.

2. International deliveries

We flat-pack furniture for self-assembly, cutting transport costs by 50%.
Sea freight is a cheaper but slower option.

Standardising colours to reduce complexity

We limited our colour range to yellow, blue, black, green, and white, as they are the most common plastic colours we collect.
Custom colours are available at an extra charge, compensating for the additional sorting and processing time.

By refining our pricing, production, and logistics, we optimised our operations and ensured our products were both profitable and sustainable.