With so many products on the market with the same goal of offering women the comfort they need to face the most important period of their life cycle, Qi Pads has joined the market to offer a comfortable and healthy period. Kelly Taremwa, the CEO, speaks with Beatrice Akite Wanyama about the initiative
Tell us about yourself
I am Kelly Taremwa. I am the Manager of Qi pads. Qi pads is a brainchild of Ugandan entrepreneurs. It is so far distributed mainly in Uganda and Tanzania. Although also registered in Kenya.
Why this product
Qi pads is a product that came into the market to mainly close the gap of lack of good cotton brands. For so many years, some women suffered burns and itches and we blindly thought that it was part of the process. The options were few. Sometimes, it is very expensive for the ordinary woman. That’s when the proprietors that saw a good brand in Tanzania wondered how to solve that. Immediately, we got to work and designed everything from scratch. From booking the name to imagining the idea of a free and confident woman, we came up with what you currently see.
What is your niche and why
Our main niche is to be there for that woman who prioritizes comfort over anything. Yet getting a good value product at an affordable price that won’t break the bank; on average, the pads go for Ugx 4,500. The corporate woman is our biggest customer and also the student who looks out for quality products.
However, we do a lot of charity. We have been able to give aid to Luzira prisoners, Kiteezi landslide survivors and many Rotary initiatives and last term, we gave pads to over 30 school sickbays in Kampala and Mbarara.
What has your journey in business been like
The journey began in 2017. It has been a rocky one mainly because women in Uganda in our analysis need a lot of convincing to change from one product to another. They want to stick with what they know, irrespective of their experiences. It is so rare but true.
Our biggest relief is when one uses it once. They just never forget it. Using it is like eating a good meal. You can’t figure out exactly what made you like it but it leaves a lingering feeling. This is the same thing because the pad is thin yet very absorbent. Most people have told us they actually forget they are wearing anything, which is a good thing. The reviews are good. 2020 to 2022, like for many businesses because of lockdown was the toughest. We are thankful that KCCA premises where our stores and the shops in Wandegeya Market, South Wing greatly subsidized the rent.Together with the government charging minimal taxes for pads. Without those two, we would have closed shop long ago. We are so grateful to KCCA and URA.
We are still in recovery mode. 2023 to 2024 has been promising. Enterprise Uganda chose us among the businesses to go through a training for Entrepreneurs early this month and we must admit that it was also a mind-opening program. Besides, we are planning to partner with women leadership of Kikuubo traders to not only provide products to the women there but to also share with them bits of the knowledge we got from the training by Enterprise Uganda. The future is great from where we are!
Aren’t you afraid of the mushrooming counterfeit products on the market that you could be culprit too?
Of course, that is a scare. I think it will happen as the brand gets bigger. However, being at a price that is a bit premium, it may not be likely in the short run.
What is your advice to young entrepreneurs
Young entrepreneurs need to understand that the statement “Rome wasn’t built in a day” comes to life in business. They also need to move to entrepreneurship after getting some exposure in the corporate world in case of available opportunities. This is good because not only does it give them exposure and important contacts but it also teaches them some bit of character development that is unique in a way. Young entrepreneurs also need to have networks of other entrepreneurs. It is a very lonely journey and they need to look around for equal-minded people. The government also has many good programs that they can tap into. Otherwise, with great grit and patience, entrepreneurship is very rewarding. Nothing compares to watching a venture grow from inception. It is like bringing up a child.
By Beatrice Akite Wanyama
