LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
OpenBusiness Africa, a business transforming African enterprises through technology
Dr. Dorcas Muthoni is an entrepreneur, computer scientist, and founder of OpenBusiness Africa and OPENWORLD. She started her software business at the age of 24 and today it employs 50 people. She is greatly passionate about the transformation of African enterprises through technology. Dorcas is also the founder of the regional organization AfChix, a mentorship and capacity building initiative for women in computing across Africa. Globally, she has been involved and honored in technology leadership by the Internet Society (ISOC) as an Internet Hall Of Fame Global Connector, World Economic Forum (WEF) as a Young Global Leader (YGL), AnitaB Institute as a Change Agent Award Winner and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Spain as an Honoris Causa.
Lioness Weekender spoke to Dorcas to learn more about her personal business leadership journey and her ambitions for the future.
Tell us more about your latest business venture
OpenBusiness Africa Limited is running an omnichannel retail trade platform that enables Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to digitize their record-keeping and operations using a mobile-first approach.
What inspired you to start your company?
Since 2019, I have dedicated the bulk of my time to running a startup that is a spinoff from my company OPENWORLD. It is called OpenBusiness. This involves high impact work in small business digitization. I was inspired to push hard on this work because it is critical to provide the technology services needed to our local small business community especially in Africa. We need to transform our businesses in ways that will successfully keep them relevant in the new technologically disrupted economic and commerce era. I feel personally duty called to help our micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) transform through technology.
What makes your business, service or product special?
Many MSMEs struggle with proper recording keeping across sales, inventory, expenses, and cash management. Africa is a mobile-first continent. The most common form of smart technology in the hand of business owners is a smartphone. We enable business owners to leverage what they have to digitize their businesses across these business functions - sales, inventory, expenses, cash management, and business reports. We have packaged every appropriate hardware, support services, and software for businesses to use with their staff. We deliver control and freedom to business owners through real-time visibility of their business via the phone.
Tell us a little about your team
We have a diverse team. We are predominantly rich with technology experts and customer centric individuals. What is really special about us all is our love for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) success. We deeply care about these enterprises and how technology can enable their businesses to thrive affordably. We are also creating an ecosystem of business services around our platform and there our team includes partners who help serve our customers in close proximity.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My journey started in 2004. I definitely enjoy deep dives into complex problems. When I started OPENWORLD, larger enterprises wanted technology but many could not afford the high budgets necessary. I stepped in with consulting services that provided software licensing options and hands-on technical skills. I always believe there is a solution to every problem and certainly never afraid to be the first one to start. I don't come from an entrepreneurial background at all. I just enjoy thinking through problems and working on solutions.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
While we are based in Kenya, our platform downloads show that 60% of the market is outside Kenya. We spend a lot of time listening to the feedback coming from customers all over the world. We want to be a global player in the area of small business digitization.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Some business owners literally shed tears when they discover how much money invested is lost due to poor controls. Helping such business owners overcome such pain by achieving controls through effective record keeping and controls through our platform is worth more than any money payable. Saving small businesses from full collapse is really paying it forward for me. It is highly satisfying and despite the difficulties, I just can't stop doing it.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Just start! Whatever it is you want to work on next, everything begins when you start.
To find out more about OpenWorld and OpenBusiness Africa, contact Dorcas Muthoni via email: dmuthoni@openworld.co.ke
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