Her body is well kept and she doesn’t look a bit like she turns 37 in three months’ time. Jane Orinda is an Ayurvedic consultant based in Kileleshwa, Nairobi. Basically, she teaches clients on proper diet based on Ayurveda ideals.
Ayurvedic medicine – also known as Ayurveda – is one of the world’s oldest holistic (whole-body) healing systems. It was developed thousands of years ago in India. It is based on the belief that health and wellness depend on a delicate balance between the mind, body, and spirit. “My work is to help women lose weight and gain their body shape, especially after maternity,” she says.
Jane, by the way, is a professional accountant and worked in Berkshire, United Kingdom from 2004 to 2010 when she came back to Kenya. She says she learnt a lot of life lessons and wanted to make an impact in people’s lives especially women.
“I learnt about Ayurveda and really didn’t know how to instantly use its products,” says the mother of one. Her close friend Perez, then based in New Delhi India, would come with immense help of ayurvedic services and treatments from India, where it is largely practised. “Perez played a huge role and when I shared my idea with her, she willingly helped.”
She spent two more years researching in India and studying the Kenyan market. She realised a lot of Kenyan women were struggling to lose weight. “After I watched shows like Slimpossible and others, I decided to bridge the gap, to allow women lose their weight within a short time and naturally,” Jane says.
In 2010, her friend Perez had a son in 2011 and gained a lot of weight. She too had to find ways of shedding some. This is when the idea of the business was fully conceived and Mori Ayuverdic Centre was born. The duo injected half a million shillings to purchase certified ayurvedic herbs. “My friend Perez had a woeful experience in trying to lose weight. We decided to roll on into the business,” says Jane, 36.
Dieting and exercise
Jane later had her daughter and after applying the herbs for a while, she regained her body shape and normal weight.
Two years down the line, Mori Ayurvedic Centre has expanded and growing further. She not only helps women lose weight but also teaches them dieting and exercise. Jane advocates natural foods for good health. “Everything green and has life is my best friend. I rarely fall sick and if I do, I do not take artificial tablets,” she confesses.
Every day she reads, researches and responds to client inquiries. Her biggest inspiration the clients who write or call back to tell their success stories. She plans to expand Mori Ayuverdic Center out of her residence to reach a wider range of consumers. Mori has a diversified clientele with some even as far as South Africa, United States and across Europe.
Her residence is her work place and she has since then employed four more people. “The most important thing to me is to make a positive impact in a person’s life. You see them struggle and offer an affordable solution,” she adds.
Jane says many people have not bought into the idea,. Some are not convinced that Mori Ayurvedic is a natural herb. “Our market results speak for themselves and our products at Mori are unique,” explains Jane, who has advice for counterfeiters: “Eat it now or when time catches up you will be messed.”
Her business has grown and is paying back. “I am passionate about herbs and would do anything to have natural science take its course, I also offer natural facial therapy,” Jane says.
Her marketing strategy is mostly through social networks The fact that her business doesn’t require her to be out and about makes her more innovative. “I spend most of my time responding to emails and answering queries from clients. My business is unique because I have to wait for a client’s call,” she says.
Always give your best
Her journey has not been smooth but seeing women achieve their goals delights. “We are soon getting into natural skin care, hair care and even pills. We also do natural juices because they keep people healthy,” she adds. “We are bringing the benefits of yoga near you and how well to manage stress. Losing weight is a challenge, the journey is not easy.”
Ayurvedic treatments or Ayurveda are some of the oldest holistic natural healing systems. They were developed thousands of years ago in India to mostly help women overcome genetic or birth defects and natural body care and maintenance. Ayuverdic is, however, steadily finding space into the African market.
Her advice to entrepreneurs? “Always give your best. Mediocrity has no place in business,” she advises. ‘Only Time Will Tell’ by Jeffrey Archer, the renowned English author, inspires her.
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