Joy Nkatha, baking her way to glory after a tragic loss

In 2015, Joy Nkatha faced every parent’s worst nightmare: the loss of her firstborn daughter, Tamara Tehila, who lived for just three months—July, August, and September.

Shattered but resilient, Nkatha found a way to immortalise her child’s memory.

Today, those three months are etched into the name of her thriving 789 Group of Companies, a multi-million-shilling empire encompassing a bakery, motel, event planning service, and gift shop.

In the quiet town of Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County, 789 Group of Companies is a household name, borne from heartbreak and joblessness to a name that now today evoke images of cakes, motels, and gift shops—but behind that success lies a story born out of personal loss, persistence, and purpose.

“Because in 2015, we were blessed with a daughter whose name was Tamara Tehila Tereka. She was born in July (7), lived through August (8), and passed on in September (9). To honor her short but meaningful life, we named the brand 789—a reminder of the child who, though gone too soon,” Nkatha said.

For the founder and CEO of 789 Group, life as an entrepreneur was not a planned destination. It was a detour—a response to pain, rejection, and an urgent need to survive.

Raised in Taraka Nithi, Nkatha says that her childhood was shaped by discipline and a strong work ethic.

Her father was a school principal, her late mother, a home science and English teacher.

The family also ran a shop and a small eatery—early lessons in entrepreneurship that she absorbed unconsciously.

“Watching my parents juggle careers and business taught me the value of self-reliance and service,” she reflects.

Although Nkatha dreamt of studying hotel management, she followed her father's advice and pursued a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) and CPA qualifications for the sake of stability.

“I’m glad I did,” she admits. “Those business and finance skills have been fundamental to how I run my company today.”

From Rejection Letters to Recipe Books

After leaving a corporate job with a bottling company in 2014, She found herself in a prolonged season of unemployment.

Despite relentless applications, white-collar opportunities never came.

The emotional toll was immense—discouragement, shame, and the gnawing feeling of being stuck.

Then came the turning point.

After working at Pepsi’s Ruaraka plant (2011–2014), Karimi relocated to Chuka and spent three years unemployed, drowning in rejection letters.

“I reached a point where I had to choose between hopelessness and action. I started baking cakes from home,” she says. “It wasn’t glamorous, but it gave me purpose.”

Armed with nothing more than flour, eggs, a domestic oven, and passion rooted in her home science background, Nkatha launched what would later become the foundation of the 789 Group of Companies. The startup cost? Barely Sh1,000.

For years, she baked from her kitchen, serving individual clients and supplying cakes for birthdays, school functions, and weddings.

What started as a desperate hustle soon gained traction. As demand grew, so did her confidence. By 2021—after nearly a decade of trying to find her professional path—she knew it was time to scale.

Her husband, whom she describes as her "biggest cheerleader," encouraged her to open a shop in Chuka’s CBD.

Her husband, Paul Thirika (now CEO of 789 Group of Companies), recognised her potential.

He supported her vision by helping her open a proper bakery at Kirege, moving from home-based operations to a commercial space.

Spotting market gaps, they launched 789 Motel, complete with a restaurant, gift hub, and event services.

“The Gift Hub was born from my passion for celebrating others. We noticed a gap in the market—and we moved fast to fill it,” she explains. “Valentine's Day. That is in February each year. That's when we record our highest sales for the money bouquets and flower bouquets, preparing around 20 in month.”

In 2019, Joy secured a job as an Administrative Assistant at Chuka University. While this provided financial stability, her entrepreneurial fire never died. She continued baking, and demand for her products grew.

Though she wears many hats—including her role as Head of Protocol and Events at Chuka University— She remains deeply involved in daily operations at 789. From staff recruitment to recipe testing, she leads with both vision and humility.

“We have high standards. Cleanliness, presentation, customer service—these are non-negotiables,” she says. “Even our employees know—excellence isn’t an option, it’s the culture.”

She also nurtures her team’s growth, often holding one-on-one sessions to listen to their feedback and challenges. Her leadership style blends professionalism with empathy.

“I’m strict on standards, but I’m also very human,” she says.

Now pursuing a PhD, Nkatha views education as a vital asset in navigating Kenya’s evolving business landscape.

“Learning is a lifelong journey. I want to stay ahead and also mentor others to grow.”

With many families struggling to keep the legacy of their businesses alive once the proprietors are not able to run daily operations, Nkatha says she has had to start nurturing her kids early.

Her two children, a boy and a girl, are already listed as directors in the 789 Group. She says that she ensures they are involved in the business—from baking to event coordination.

“I want 789 to be more than a company—it’s a legacy. I’m raising them to understand the values of integrity, hard work, and innovation.”

Facing Competition and the Future

While the bakery and hospitality sectors are saturated with competition, She is not worried.

“The market is big enough for everyone. As long as you stay consistent and deliver quality, customers will find you.”

Though currently focused in Chuka, plans are underway to expand to Embu and Meru—and eventually, Nairobi. Already, the company offers countrywide deliveries.

The biggest risk she’s taken so far? Investing heavily in the events arm of the business—importing high-end tents, chairs, and décor materials.

“It was nerve-wracking, but it paid off. Sometimes, big leaps are necessary.”

For young Kenyans—especially women—who feel stuck or discouraged, Nkatha offers heartfelt advice:

“I’ve been where you are. Feeling invisible, hopeless, uncertain. But your background doesn’t define your future. Start with what you have. Believe in your gift. Stay consistent. And don’t be afraid to take up space. You are capable of incredible things.”

From the quiet of her kitchen to a business empire now shaping the hospitality and events space in Chuka, Joy Nkatha’s journey is proof that sometimes, the most painful beginnings lead to the most beautiful outcomes.