This archive report was first published on 11 July 2019.
July 11, 2019
What a Creative Could Do with Sh1.5m ¶
Lulu Kitololo, a 36-year-old Kenyan entrepreneur, has turned her passion for African-inspired designs into a thriving lifestyle brand. With a pledge of Sh1.5 million from Joanne Mwangi on KCB Lions' Den in 2018, Lulu has been able to expand her business and create a range of products featuring her vibrant illustrations.
After identifying the trend of African-inspired designs in 2014, Lulu started experimenting with art prints and greeting cards while living in the UK. She later brought her business home to Kenya in 2016, where she has since exhibited at several major craft fairs, secured stockists in Nairobi and Lamu, and fulfilled bulk corporate orders.
As a communication designer by training, Lulu left her job to start her own business, where she could have more freedom over the projects she worked on and the people she worked with. She has since evolved her branding business to incorporate her illustrations and has created a range of products, including stationery, gifts, and accessories.
Under Lulu Kitololo Studios, the entrepreneur offers a range of services, including illustrations, branding, and mural design for office spaces. She also runs an online branding course, a biannual festival called Afri-Love Fest, and a support group for women in business in partnership with business coach Danielle Anderson.
With her business growing, Lulu has had to navigate the challenges of financing and hiring the right team. She has learned the importance of hiring people with the right mindset and on the same page as her, rather than just technical skills. The highest-value project she has worked on so far was an African Union campaign worth Sh6 million in 2013.
For Lulu, inspiration comes from nature and the rich cultural heritage of Africa. She believes that creativity is essential for shaping a better future and wants to inspire people to live more creative lives. Her vision for the studio is to become an internationally recognised Kenyan brand that promotes creativity and appreciation for art and design.
