This archive report was first published on 28 June 2020.
At any age, entrepreneurship can be a viable option, and Lynn Wambui, CEO of Santana Africa, is a testament to this. Her grandmother's resourcefulness and entrepreneurial spirit played a significant role in shaping her own business acumen.
Wambui's grandmother raised her in Nakuru after her mother passed away when she was young. She owned a fleet of matatus, which provided for Wambui's needs.
"I grew up in Nakuru, raised by my grandmother. She was a single grandma, she raised me by herself mainly because my mother gave birth to me at a very young age and also passed on when I was very young," Wambui recalled in a June 28, 2020, interview.
Wambui's grandmother started her business in Nairobi, dealing in second-hand clothing, before relocating to Nakuru to expand her matatu business. She would monitor the trips and note down the details on a daily basis, from Monday to Saturday.
Wambui credits her grandmother for instilling in her the importance of being hands-on and taking care of business. She also exposed her to other women who had worked hard to make their own income.
Wambui's own career path was not of her choice. Her family made the decision for her after she fulfilled their demand to score all As in high school. She was initially forced to pursue project management, but later ditched it to found Santana Africa, where she creates custom home furniture and accessories.
Watch Lynn Wambui's inspiring story below:
"All my life I had been around women who work, get money by themselves," Lynn Wambui, CEO Santana Africa. #TuzidiNaHustle https://t.co/yevNA2dWrx pic.twitter.com/yevNA2dWrx — NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) June 28, 2020
