Dineshbhai Patel and his spouse Savitaben Patel are the epitome of those who start from nothing and work their way up to become wealthy.
The pair first established a successful business in Leicester, UK, after risking all of their savings in Thika Town, Kiambu County.
Born in Thika sometime around 1941, Patel invested all of his money in starting Cofresh Snack Foods, a Leicester-based company that makes savory Indian snacks.
In Nairobi, the pair co-founded Cofresh in 1965. Their main business at the time was selling potato crisps to stores and neighborhood movie theaters.
As their business grew, they began to receive orders in the hundreds, which prompted them to start supplying potato crisps to other satellite towns around Nairobi.
The couple chose to relocate to the UK once they had saved enough money. Patel and Savitaben invested in a fish and chips store to get them started.
Their business helped them save more money, which they used to establish a snack manufacturing hub in their small home.
Patel and Savitaben concentrated on producing classic handmade spicy peanuts and green peas while growing their clientele.
The customary handmade spicy peanuts in tiny pouches gained popularity among both consumers and merchants.
Green peas and peanuts assisted Patel and Savitaben in registering Cofresh, which went on to become a major supplier of real spices throughout the world.
The business built a clientele in more than 60 nations.
The growth of Cofresh, which employs over 250 people in Leicester, helped the community. Patel gave private equity permission to buy the business in 2020.
The company’s leadership changed with the arrival of new managers.
Patel passed away in April 2023 at the age of 81.
