A revelation by young entrepreneur Steph Wanjie that she started a business in the middle of the pandemic and scaled it into a shop in Nairobi’s Central Business District has received mixed reactionsMost of those who read her story argued that it is impossible to start a business from scratch and grow it that fast in the middle of a global pandemic
PAY ATTENTION: Help us change more lives, join TUKO.co.ke’s Patreon programme
Twenty-three-year-old Steph Wanjie exclusively told TUKO.co.ke that she successfully built a baby shop business from a mere conversation in a young mothers WhatsApp group.
Steph Wanjie told TUKO.co.ke that she was able to start a successful baby shop at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos: Steph Wanjie.
Source: Facebook
She reiterated that she ventured into the murky world of business in February 2021 and boasts a shop in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
Wanjie, who sat for her Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams in 2017 and scored a B (Plain) was unable to further her studies after becoming a young mother.
Girl Power: Lady Starts Fat Cake Business with Wheelbarrow, Hires 2 People
PAY ATTENTION: Don’t miss trending Kenyan news. Follow TUKO.co.ke on Twitter!
Chance Interaction
According to Wanjie, a chance interaction with a lady in a WhatsApp group with young mothers opened her eyes to the world of business.
“I had this idea for a long time and I decided to try it. Initially, I took photos of the merchandise at the wholesale shop, opened Steph Baby Shop Instagram account and started posting,” she revealed.
She added that four days into opening the business, she approached a social media influencer to advertise her merchandise, giving her the first 13 clients.
It is from this promising start that she has scaled upwards and boasts a store in the CBD.
The young entrepreneur encouraged young people to exploit opportunities that come their way and have something of their own.
Doubting Thomases
Her sentiments were, however, received with doubt online as Kenyans maintained that there are bits and pieces of her success story she is not giving up.
Chimamanda Adichie Lights Up Internet with Essay against Hypocritical Friends: “It’s Obscene”
Favoured Phanice Nyakara:
“Give us complete information, where did she get the capital from?”
Chris Wamalwa:
“This tale is captivating but half baked. Starting and owning a business in CBD is not a walk in the park. Give us a full dossier on how she acquired capital.”
A cross-section believed her sentiments, adding that with zeal and hard work an individual can succeed regardless of their age.
According to them, every business may have challenges but one’s resolve serves as the difference between success and failure.
They opined that individuals should stop focusing on age and pick the inspiration aspect of the story for their own growth.
Josev Tuguh:
“How do you people do this too fast, I have tried for years and am breaking even very slowly.”
Shee Sherih:
“With God everything is possible. All you need just focus and work hard it pays. I don’t say there is nothing like that but starting a business is very easy and at the same time very difficult.”
Do you have a groundbreaking story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690. Contact TUKO.co.ke instantly.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Stay Ahead, Stay Informed: justbabyshop.com Exclusive
Recent Posts
- Meet Nila Baby Shop Owner Who Rose From Hawker to Running Multiple Retail Stores
- Babyshop honoured as Malaysia’s ‘Brand Store of the Year’ at Retail Asia Awards
- Nila Baby Shop CEO remembers humble beginnings as a hawker to owning 5 shops
- Babyshop the destination of choice for parents across the Middle East
- One Stop Baby Shop Unveils New Abuja Location, Launches Tommee Tippee Brand