This archive report was first published on 25 June 2020.
Loise Kamanu, a resident of Matasia, Kajiado County, has come a long way since her days of selling land. Born just three kilometers from Ngong, she pursued her education at Greenyard Primary School and later joined Serare Secondary School, both in Kajiado County.
After completing her secondary education, Kamanu joined the University of Nairobi, where she studied Counselling Psychology and obtained a certificate in Sign Language.
However, her entrepreneurial journey began in 2015 when she was employed by a leading land brokerage firm. Despite the challenges she faced, she decided to leave the job and focus on her online business.
With an initial investment of KES 20,000 from her family and savings, Kamanu launched Modest Collections in 2016, an e-commerce platform that sells various products, including bags and accessories, through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
As her business grew, Kamanu realized the need for reliable logistics services to deliver products to her customers. She faced numerous challenges, including delayed and damaged products, which led her to establish Modest Collections as a logistics company.
Today, Modest Collections offers a range of services, including product delivery and warehousing, to e-commerce businesses in Nairobi. The company has received two awards from Bizna Kenya in 2019 for its outstanding services.
Despite the challenges she faces, including high taxes and the COVID-19 pandemic, Kamanu remains optimistic about the future of her business. She advises entrepreneurs to stay focused and adapt to the changing market trends.
"Biashara si ya watu wanaokufa moyo," Kamanu emphasizes. "Uvumilivu huhitajika. Kumbuka kuwa Roma haikujengwa kwa siku moja."
