In 1975 upon her arrival in Kenya from Tanzania, Lady SusanWood set up a fledgling 
business making beads in a small shed in her back garden. She started with two single women as assistants. Before long she discovered that there were more women in need of jobs and so Kazuri Beads began its long and successful journey as a help centre for needy women, especially single mothers who have no other source of income.
Lady Susan Wood
In 1988 the small shed became a brand new factory. What started as a small enterprise has now expanded hugely and employs over 120 women and men. The factory is now located on what used to be part of the Karen Blixen estate, of' Out of Africa' fame, at the foot of the Ngon'g Hills, about 30 minutes from the bustling Nairobi city centre.
Here the women apply their skills to produce the ceramic beads and jewellery. It is skilled and delicate work, but the women prove to be well suited with their nimble fingers. The factory also acts as a social gathering and the hum of voices continues throughout the day.
In the early 1990's the Gulf War gave Kazuri its first real setback as its principal market, the tourist to Kenya, vanished overnight. The decision was then made to diversify into pottery and thus create a product that could be sold in the home market. After much trial and error and with the help of a ceramic expert from England a pottery business was borne, reminiscent of the pottery industry of England 100 years.
Today Kazuri, the Swahili word for 'small and beautiful', produces a wide range of hand-made and hand-produced ceramic jewellery and pottery, which are designed to reflect Kenyan art and culture as well as being designed to appeal to the worldwide fashion market. Kazuri's beautifully finished products are made to an international standard and they continue to attract interests both inside and outside Kenya.These standards are maintained through the training of our workers in all aspects of production both in pottery and jewellery. Kazuri now has in place a highly trained and highly motivated management team and workforce.
In 2001 Mark and Regina Newman bought the company and their goal is to further increase the size of the company, primarily by exploring and developing the company's export markets. As part of this initiative, in 2004 Kazuri became a member of the International Fair Trade Association.
However, the guiding philosophy remains - to provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged members of Kenyan society.
