The air bites, a raw, pungent assault that catches in the throat. It’s the smell of eucalyptus, a fierce, almost suffocating wave as the leaves are hot-pressed into oil. To witness the process is to marvel at the endurance of the factory workers, their lungs seemingly immune to the intensity. And yet, from this overwhelming aroma, a delicate, healing oil emerges, a testament to nature's transformative power.
Deep in the Kenyan highlands, where the Mount Kenya Forest casts its long shadows, Horizon Business Ventures has taken root. The enterprise is a masterpiece of organic self-care products, truly crafted with expertise and precision. The extracting of the essences of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemongrass to create essential oils and handcrafted soaps defines immense natures potential and the human craftmanship in fostering environmental conservation, and social well-being.

Packaged organic soap manufactured by Horizon Business Ventures. Photo: Bryson Saruni
Their operation resonates with community spirit, employing local hands to gather raw materials from the forest, transforming them into valuable products. This symbiotic relationship between business and community is their strength.
Horizon’s participation in the Impact SME Business Development Services (BDS) program was a transformative crescendo, a catalyst for growth and a masterclass in sustainable entrepreneurship.
The most profound lesson? The art of the pitch. Before enlisting for the ISME’s BDS project, the language of investors was foreign, and the potential for funding and partnerships untapped. Now, they are in active conversations with potential donors, their vision resonating with those seeking to invest in sustainable impact.
“We had never crafted a compelling narrative,” they shared, “but the ISME program taught us to articulate our value, opening doors to crucial funding. It’s been a game-changer.”
“We had never crafted a compelling narrative, but the ISME program taught us to articulate our value, opening doors to crucial funding. It’s been a game-changer.”

Staff at Horizon Business Ventures display some of the company's products as they pose for a photo at their firm in Nyeri. Photo: Bryson Saruni
ISME program also equipped them with the tools for financial mastery, navigating the complexities of budgeting and forecasting, laying the groundwork for long-term stability.
“Our books have never been this clear,” they affirmed. “We’ve integrated our online sales, ensuring every transaction is captured, every expense accounted for.”
The team at Horizon believes the initial, overwhelming scent of eucalyptus, once embraced, reveals its healing essence, clearing congestion and calming the mind. The final product, bottled under the evocative brand name Msitu Organics—a tribute to the surrounding forest—carries only the pure, therapeutic essence.
But Horizon’s success transcends mere economics. It’s woven into the fabric of the community, empowering lives and nurturing resilience. The whispering leaves of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lemongrass now carry a deeper message: a fragrant promise of sustainable prosperity, a testament to the transformative power of knowledge, collaboration, and a profound respect for the earth. The ISME Development program did more than support a business; it helped conduct a symphony of sustainable success, a harmonious blend of growth and environmental stewardship, leaving a lasting, fragrant legacy on the Kenyan highlands.

A packaged organic shampoo. Photo: Bryson Saruni
The Impact Small and Medium Enterprise (iSME) Development project in Kenya is funded by Oxfam Novib (Netherlands) It is implemented by Oxfam Kenya, Open Capital Advisors, and other local partners aims to provide Business Development Services (BDS) to small businesses in Kenya, to help them grow, access finance, and increase their (social) impact. The project targets impact-driven SMEs; those that drive social or environmental impact (e.g., jobs, income, or products for low-income groups, with a focus on women and youth through their core business. The impact SME development project takes a holistic approach through three interventions; (1) providing business support to impact SMEs with a target of reaching 75-100 impact SMEs in the next 5 years, through direct training and mentorship support, (2) Providing access to finance for impact SMEs by giving tailored investment readiness support and helping them raise capital, and (3) Fostering an enabling environment for women-led impact SMEs through network strengthening and policy advocacy. Each year, 10-20 SMEs are selected to benefit from a series of group trainings (on business and impact topics) and other activities.
We look forward to the next round of business support that transform livelihoods and create sustainable impact in Kenya.