Abstract

Learning outcomes

This case explores the challenges faced by the Catholic sisters’ bakery following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on the decline in sales and customer demand. Students will analyze the impact of external disruptions on the financial sustainability of social ventures, particularly when key customer bases, such as schoolchildren, are lost. They will evaluate strategies for adapting business models in response to crises, including pivoting product offerings and targeting new market segments. The case will also encourage students to explore financial risk management and propose solutions to ensure long-term viability and social impact during disruptive events.

Case Synopsis

This case which highlights the plight of Catholic sisters following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic struck. The case begins with the sisters wondering what needs to be done given the declined supplies of their bakery products following Covid-19 onset. Since Covid-19 containment measures were instituted, the bakery was not receiving the usual orders it ordinarily would receive for fear of getting in touch with others hence getting infected. Most of the usual customers had turned to traditional foods for breakfast such as sweet potatoes, cassava and Nshima. To make it more interesting, schoolchildren, who were the eventual main consumers of bread and pastries were no longer going to school. This drastically affected the orders HVB would receive and its performance declined, especially in the 2021 subsequent year.

Complexity/ Academic level

This case may be taught to undergraduate and executive education participants in social entrepreneurship. The information provided is suitable for in-class discussions on sustainability in the social entrepreneurship space.

Supplementary Materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Keywords

Social venture, financial sustainability, social enterprise.

Citation

Ndunge, A., Njiraini, N., & Mathuva D. (2024). Hot Valley Bakery: Balancing Growth and Sustainability. In Strathmore Africa Case Center. Strathmore Africa Case Centre. https://doi.org/10.70268/sacc-10-24-33

Publisher: Strathmore Africa Case Centre

Copyright © 2024, Strathmore Africa Case Centre

Category : Case

Author : David Mathuva,Angela Ndunge,Nancy Njiraini

Publisher : Strathmore University

Document ID : SACC-10-24-33