This archive report was first published on 27 October 2021.
October 27, 2021, marked the 20th anniversary of Mary Macharia's entrepreneurial journey in Nakuru town. With two thriving businesses under her belt, she has learned valuable lessons about the challenges of entrepreneurship.
For Mary, being an entrepreneur is a far cry from being employed. While she can offer her employees paid leave or off days, she rarely indulges in such luxuries, except on weekends when she closes her businesses for a day.
Her printing and publishing business, which was once a pioneer in Nakuru, faced stiff competition from cyber cafes. To stay relevant, she had to constantly update her equipment and adapt to changing technological innovations.
As she navigated these challenges, Mary realized the importance of diversifying her business. She took a gamble and invested in a hotel, which has proven to be a wise decision.
However, entrepreneurship is not without its pitfalls. Mary has faced skepticism from family and friends, who often doubt her business ideas. She has also had to plough back into her business to sustain operations during lean times.
One of the most significant challenges Mary has faced is the need to multitask. As a one-woman show, she has had to wear many hats, from manufacturer to manager to distributor. However, as her business grew, she realized the importance of hiring trustworthy employees.
Despite the challenges, Mary remains optimistic about the future of entrepreneurship in Nakuru. With the right mindset and support, she believes that anyone can overcome the obstacles and achieve success.
