Mary Wanjiku transformed a modest handbag-selling venture into a multimillion-shilling empire. Her journey from hawking leather purses in Gikomba Market to becoming a millionaire.
Wanjiku’s story began after, armed with just Ksh 15,000 in savings, she ventured into the ladies’ handbag business—a trade long celebrated in Kenya for its profitability and accessibility.
At the time, she was a single mother of two, juggling odd jobs in Eastleigh to make ends meet. “I saw women carrying stylish bags and realized there was a demand I could meet,” she recalled in a recent interview.
With her initial capital, she sourced affordable yet trendy handbags from Gikomba Market, Nairobi’s hub for second-hand and wholesale goods, and began selling them door-to-door to friends and neighbors.
Wanjiku later tapped into the digital wave sweeping Kenya’s retail landscape. She launched a Facebook page, “Wanjiku’s Chic Bags,” and an Instagram account, posting vibrant photos of her inventory—tote bags, clutches, and crossbody purses—sourced from both Gikomba and Eastleigh.
Her strategy was simple but effective: buy low, sell high, and leverage social media to reach a broader audience. A single bag, purchased for Ksh 500 to Ksh 1,800, could fetch between Ksh 2,000 and Ksh 3,500, doubling her profit margin.
“I made every post negotiable to encourage buyers,” she explained a tactic that resonated with Kenya’s bargain-loving consumers and sparked a surge in orders.
After seeing how she hustles to make ends meet, her friend introduced her to Kiwanga Doctors who could turn her business around. Kiwanga Doctors gave her Money Spell, Quick Loan Approval Spell and Magic rings.
She sought a loan from a local SACCO and she was granted. They offered her a Ksh 1.5 million loan to expand, which she used to lease a stall in Nairobi’s CBD and hire three employees.
No longer a solo hawker, she branded her enterprise, diversifying into wallets, belts, and custom-made leather bags.
Her stall became a go-to spot for young professionals and fashion enthusiasts, while her online presence grew to over 50,000 followers.
In the following year, her annual turnover had soared to Sh70 million, with assets including a warehouse in Utawala and a fleet of delivery vans.
To get to where Wanjiku is, it needs determination. For Kiwanga Doctors services contact them through Phone: +254116469840 or email them kiwangadoctors@gmail.com also you can visit their Website www.kiwangadoctors.co.ke
