Things I Struggle With as the Owner of Lamu Decor

Real-life lessons from building a furniture business

Running a furniture business in Kenya looks beautiful from the outside — curated spaces, handcrafted furniture, styled interiors, and happy clients. At Lamu Decor, we design, source, and sell furniture while helping clients create intentional spaces for homes, offices, Airbnbs, and hospitality projects. But behind the scenes, building Lamu Decor has come with real challenges that have shaped how we operate, grow, and make decisions.

This post is an honest look at the things I actively struggle with as the owner of a furniture business — not complaints, but lessons. These are real furniture business challenges that have shaped how Lamu Decor operates, prices, plans inventory, and grows sustainably.

1. Balancing Creativity With Cash Flow (Furniture Business Reality)

Why cash flow matters in a creative furniture business

Beautiful furniture takes time, craftsmanship, and capital — but bills don’t wait.

As a creative business, ideas flow easily: new designs, materials, finishes, and concepts. Cash flow, however, demands discipline. Every creative decision has a financial consequence. I’ve learned that creativity must be sustained by profit, not the other way around.

What this taught me: Profit is what keeps creativity alive.

2. Educating Clients on Value vs Price

Handcrafted furniture vs mass-produced imports

Handcrafted, locally made pieces are often compared to mass-produced imports.

One of the ongoing struggles is helping clients understand the difference between price and value. Our furniture is made with intention, skill, and time — often by local artisans. That value isn’t always obvious when compared to factory-made alternatives.

What this taught me: Education is part of the product.

3. Inventory Planning in a Furniture Business

The risk of overstocking vs understocking furniture

Stock too little → missed sales.Stock too much → tied-up capital & storage stress.

Inventory planning is a constant balancing act. Demand can be unpredictable, trends shift, and space is finite. Every stock decision affects cash flow, storage, and operational flexibility.

What this taught me: Inventory is strategy, not guesswork.

4. Quality Control at Scale

Maintaining furniture quality as demand grows

As demand grows, maintaining consistent quality across artisans and workshops is a daily challenge.

Growth introduces complexity. More hands, more processes, more room for inconsistency. Maintaining the Lamu Decor standard requires systems, communication, and constant oversight.

What this taught me: Growth must be supported by strong systems.

5. Delivery and Logistics Challenges in Furniture

Why furniture delivery affects the entire business

Furniture isn’t light, small, or forgiving — one delay affects everything.

From transport damage to scheduling challenges, logistics is one of the least glamorous but most critical parts of the business. A single delay can impact client trust, timelines, and cash flow.

What this taught me: Operations matter as much as aesthetics.

6. Content Creation While Running a Furniture Business

Marketing, storytelling, and visibility challenges

Being the designer, buyer, marketer, and social media manager… it’s a lot.

In today’s digital world, visibility is non-negotiable. Creating consistent content while managing day-to-day operations can be exhausting. Yet storytelling is essential to building brand trust and connection.

What this taught me: Visibility is work — but it’s worth it.

7. Saying No to Non-Aligned Requests

Protecting brand identity and long-term growth

Not every sale is the right sale, but learning that takes time.

Early on, it’s tempting to say yes to everything. Over time, I’ve learned that clarity protects the brand. Saying no preserves quality, identity, and long-term growth.

What this taught me: Alignment is more important than volume.

8. Resting Without Guilt as a Business Owner

Why rest is essential for sustainable growth

When you love your business, switching off feels like neglect — even when it’s necessary.

Rest is not laziness, but learning to truly disconnect remains a challenge. Burnout helps no one — not the business, the team, or the vision.

What this taught me: Rest is a business strategy.

Final Thoughts

Why these struggles matter when building Lamu Decor

Building Lamu Decor has been a journey of constant learning, adjustment, and growth. Each challenge has influenced how we design our collections, work with artisans, and serve our clients.

If you’re exploring our pieces, you can browse our Furniture Collection on our website or learn more about how we style spaces using Lamu Decor products.

Still, I’d choose this path every time.Growth isn’t glamorous, but it’s worth it.Building Lamu Decor has taught me more than any course ever could.

Follow along as I continue to share lessons from running Lamu Decor — both the beautiful and the challenging.

This Is a Pillar Post

This article is part of an ongoing content series where I share real lessons from building Lamu Decor. Future posts will explore each topic in more depth, including:

• Cash flow management for furniture businesses

• Pricing handcrafted furniture sustainably

• Inventory systems for decor and furniture brands

• Styling furniture for Airbnbs, offices, and hospitality spaces

📍 Visit us at Rosslyn Square Luxury Mall (Redhill Rd) or Luqman Mall, Lavington (Gitanga Rd) 

📞 +254 740 561 418

website: www.lamudecor.com