17/09/2025
Our CEOs story shared on BIZ MAGAZINE
Never Give Up: How a Vision of 20 Shillings Grew into FARMLAND HOLDINGS
The journey to success often starts with a single step, a small idea, or in my case, a 20-shilling coin. My name is Martin Mwangai, and I am the CEO of FARMLAND HOLDINGS. Today, we are a thriving enterprise with six subsidiary companies, but our story began just a short time ago, in September 2023, with a vision that few could see but I could not ignore.
I was given 20 shillings by my grandmother, Peris Gitura. To many, this small amount might seem insignificant, but to me, it was the seed of an idea. I used that money to buy data bundles, and I would spend hours alone in our family's tea plantation, my phone in hand, and my mind racing with possibilities. The plantation was my office, and the internet was my research library. I spent my days and nights doing research, meticulously planning every detail of what would become FARMLAND HOLDINGS.
I had a clear picture in my mind of the company I wanted to build. I could visualize the organizational structure, the different departments, and the services we would offer. This was my vision, and it was so vivid that it felt tangible, even though it existed only in my imagination. The road was not easy. Many people didn't believe in my vision. They saw a young person with no capital, just an idea. The doubt was heavy, and it would have been easy to give up and listen to those who said it couldn't be done.
But I knew that a vision without action is just a daydream. I refused to let the lack of immediate resources or the disbelief of others hold me back. I had to act for the vision to come to pass. I started small, implementing the first steps of my plan with the limited resources I had. Each small action, each piece of research, and each conversation I had was a brick laid on the foundation of my company.
The journey from a solitary dreamer in a tea plantation to the CEO of a company with six subsidiaries has been a testament to the power of perseverance. It proves that you don't need a massive investment to start; you just need an unwavering belief in your vision and the courage to act on it.
To all the young people out there with a dream, a business idea, or a passion, my message is simple: never give up. Don't let the size of your current resources or the skepticism of others define your future. Believe in your vision. Do the research, put in the work, and start acting today. Your future self is waiting for the actions you take now. The most incredible journeys often begin with the smallest of steps, just like FARMLAND HOLDINGS started with a 20-shilling coin and an unshakeable dream.
