Started in 2023 by Minky Kambua, Kalm bw, which is a female-owned business, offers a wide range of products designed to create a relaxing atmosphere. Kambua explains her journey into candle-making began with a pivotal moment when she attended a workshop that inspired her to take the leap into entrepreneurship. “I made the decision to retire in April last year, and that workshop changed everything. It inspired me to start this business,” she recalls. Then after retiring in June 2022, she sought a less stressful pursuit and fell in love with candle-making. “I wanted something less stressful, and when I saw candles at the workshop, I knew this was what I wanted to do,” Kambua reflects.
She tells BusinessMonitor that the passion quickly transformed into Kalm bw, a business that brings tranquillity and eco-friendly products into homes and hospitality spaces. Since then, Kalm bw has become a symbol of peace, both for her customers and herself, as she crafts products that transform spaces into havens of calm. Kalm bw offers a wide range of products designed to create a relaxing atmosphere including soy-scented candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, room sprays, and linen sprays. The company caters to both individual customers looking to scent their homes and the hospitality industry, particularly hotels, lodges, and guesthouses. “Our diffusers are ideal for those who want the fragrance without worrying about an open flame, making them perfect for hotels and lodges,” she explains.
“We use soy wax because it’s a clean alternative to paraffin wax, which can be harmful to the environment. Soy wax is pollution-free and harmless,” Kambua adds. Wax melts are an alternative to traditional candles, providing the same fragrance without the need to light a wick. Customers simply use a wax melter or fragrance oil burner to enjoy the aroma. For those who prefer a flame-free option, the company’s reed diffusers and room sprays provide a safe and convenient way to add fragrance to any space, she explains. Additionally, Kalm bw produces citronella soy candles, an eco-friendly solution that not only creates a pleasant aroma but also repels mosquitoes, making it perfect for outdoor use. The company has also expanded its line to include fragrance oils and mosquito spray, catering to a variety of customer needs. Growing product line driven by her passion for crafting, Kambua has recently ventured into soap-making and is learning how to create different types of soaps. “I’ve started experimenting with soap-making, and it’s exciting to see how our product range can grow even further,” she says.
The expansion reflects Kalm bw’s vision to continuously innovate and provide more eco-friendly products for its customers. Kalm bw is a true family business, with Kambua working from home alongside her children. The venture is entirely self-funded, and the business owner acknowledges the challenges of securing financial support. “One of the biggest challenges is funding. There’s very little information about where to get grants in Botswana, and I don’t believe in starting a business with debt,” she reveals. Despite these challenges, Kambua is optimistic about the future and sees great potential for growth in the home fragrance industry. “There isn’t much competition in Botswana. I only know a few others who make candles, but they don’t do it full-time like I do,” she says. Her ambition doesn’t stop there, she is already planning for the future. She reveals: “By next year, I hope to start exporting our products to other countries and have our own store. There’s so much room to expand the product line, and I’m excited to see where Kalm bw will go.” With her eyes set on growth, Kambua envisions Kalm bw expanding its footprint in Botswana and beyond, continuing to provide homes and businesses with eco-friendly, soothing products that enhance their environments.
