Margaret Nyamumbo is a Kenyan entrepreneur and founder of Kahawa 1893, a specialty coffee company based in New York City.
Born into a coffee-farming family in Kisii, Kenya, she moved to the U.S. in 2007 for her studies, earning an MBA from Harvard.
Nyamumbo established Kahawa 1893 in 2017 to empower women farmers and promote ethical sourcing.
The company generated $3 million in revenue in 2023 and became the first Black woman-owned coffee brand in Trader Joe’s stores.
Education
Nyamumbo’s educational journey began in Kenya, where she excelled academically, scoring high marks in her primary and secondary education.
Initially set to study medicine at the University of Nairobi, she shifted paths to pursue economics at Smith College in the U.S. after receiving encouragement from visiting American professors.
She later earned an MBA from Harvard Business School, which equipped her for her career in investment banking and ultimately led to her founding Kahawa 1893.
Growing up in Kenya
Nyamumbo grew up in the western highlands of Kenya, in a coffee-farming family.
She developed a passion for coffee early on, often helping her mother pick ripe coffee berries.
Despite cultural norms that prioritized education for boys, her family ensured that all their daughters received equal educational opportunities.
Nyamumbo excelled in school, scoring highly on national exams, which led her to initially pursue medicine at the University of Nairobi before shifting to study economics at Smith College in the US.
Professional and entrepreneurial career
Nyamumbo’s career began after she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Smith College and later an MBA from Harvard Business School.
After completing her studies, she worked as an analyst at the World Bank, where she gained valuable insights into economic development and international finance.
Following her tenure at the World Bank, she joined Citigroup as an investment banker, where she developed expertise in financial markets and corporate finance, working on various complex financial transactions with different clients.
Nyamumbo’s passion for coffee was deeply rooted in her childhood experiences growing up on a coffee farm in Kenya.
She witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by smallholder farmers, particularly women, who often lacked access to resources and fair market opportunities.
This inspired her to create a business that would empower these farmers.
In 2017, she founded Kahawa 1893 with a mission to source high-quality Kenyan coffee directly from women farmers.
The name “Kahawa” means “coffee” in Swahili, and “1893” refers to the year when coffee was first introduced to Kenya.
Kahawa 1893 focuses on ethical sourcing and direct trade practices; by working directly with women farmers, Nyamumbo ensures they receive fair compensation for their products while also providing them with training and resources to improve their farming practices.
Her achievements have garnered significant recognition.
In 2022, she appeared on the popular television show Shark Tank, where she pitched her business to potential investors.
Her compelling story and innovative business model resonated with the sharks, leading to a successful investment of $350,000 from Mark Cuban and Barbara Corcoran.
Under Nyamumbo’s leadership, Kahawa 1893 has experienced remarkable growth, generating approximately $3 million in revenue in 2023.
The company also became the first Black woman-owned coffee brand available in Trader Joe’s stores, significantly increasing its visibility and reach.
Sustainable practices
In addition to being a successful entrepreneur, Nyamumbo is an advocate for sustainable practices within the coffee industry.
She actively promotes initiatives that support women farmers and emphasizes the importance of ethical sourcing in creating a more equitable global economy.
Through Kahawa 1893, she continues to make a lasting impact on both the coffee industry and the lives of farmers in Kenya, serving as an inspiring example of how passion combined with purpose can lead to meaningful change.
