Biz lounge: How I turned a trend into a thriving business

When Nakuru entrepreneurs Taher Ezzi and Qusai Poonawala first came across boba tea videos on TikTok and Instagram, he was simply curious. This curiosity has since evolved into Sip n Pop Boba, a vibrant local business that has quickly gained popularity among residents seeking to sample this trendy drink.

Having conducted extensive research and travelled far and wide to source authentic ingredients and noticing that few outlets in Kenya were offering genuine boba drinks, they decided to bring the experience closer to Nakuru. 

And they later added Walji Hasanain Mohammed to the team as the manager.

“We realised that only one vendor in Nairobi was selling authentic boba products,” he says, explaining how this market gap inspired them to set up shop locally.

Opening Sip n Pop Boba came with its fair share of challenges. From finding a suitable location and reliable staff to attracting customers, it was a rocky road. 

Walji says that the business started with capital of Sh1.5million and he has learned to take each challenge one step at a time, maintaining resilience and adaptability throughout the journey.

The reception from Nakuru residents has been encouraging. Many customers were already familiar with boba through social media and were eager to try it for themselves. The business now offers a wide range of milk- and fruit-based drinks, with more than 20 flavours of milk bobas, syrups and popping bobas. Walji is also preparing to introduce a new menu.

One of Sip n Pop Boba’s most popular creations is the lotus flavour, made with Biscoff biscuits and spread. Walji describes it as a crowd favourite that evokes nostalgic childhood memories and reminds customers of familiar comfort foods.

Despite being less than a year old, Sip n Pop Boba’s influence has already spread beyond Nakuru. Walji now supplies ingredients to other boba shops in Mombasa and Eldoret, suggesting a growing network which could soon develop into a franchise.

Prices for Sip n Pop Boba products range from Sh350 to Sh550. 

However, running the business has certainly been a learning experience. Training baristas to prepare and serve these unique drinks requires time and patience, as the process involves skills similar to those required for barista work, such as mixing, sealing and shaking. 

The team currently includes two trained baristas who help to meet the daily demand, both in the shop and at off-site events.

Walji believes that business success depends on commitment, faith and adaptability. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to conduct thorough research before starting any venture, and to avoid blindly copying trends.

“It’s not just about talent. You need skill, emotional intelligence and the right attitude to deal with clients,” he says. 

He also emphasises the power of positivity and word-of-mouth marketing. According to him, social media visibility is useful, but it's not the be-all and end-all; real growth comes from satisfied customers who share their positive experiences.

As Sip n Pop Boba continues to grow, Walji remains focused on expanding his product range and strengthening his customer base. His vision is to turn Sip n Pop Boba into a recognisable franchise that represents Nakuru’s growing taste for global food and drink trends, one cup at a time.