As Kenya’s entrepreneurial landscape continues to evolve, women business owners are stepping into the spotlight, offering practical tips for success drawn from their own journeys.
With women-led enterprises driving innovation and economic growth across the country, these insights, shared at a recent Nairobi forum and through local interviews, aim to inspire and guide aspiring female entrepreneurs.
One key piece of advice comes from Grace Mwangi, founder of a Nairobi-based organic skincare brand. “Start small but think big,” she urged during the Women in Business Forum held last weekend.
Mwangi, who began her venture with just Ksh 10,000 in 2020, emphasised the importance of testing ideas on a modest scale before scaling up.
Her business now employs 15 people and exports to Uganda and Tanzania.
Fatuma Ali, a Mombasa-based restaurateur, highlighted the power of community. “Build a network of mentors and peers—it’s your safety net,” she said in an interview with a local business daily.
Ali, who runs a chain of coastal eateries, credits her success to advice from seasoned entrepreneurs and collaboration with other women in the food industry. She advises tapping into women’s groups like the Kenya Association of Women in Business for support.
Financial discipline emerged as a recurring theme. Lucy Cherop, a Kisumu-based agribusiness owner, stressed the need to “separate personal and business finances from day one.”
Cherop, who grows and processes maize for local markets, shared that keeping clear records helped her secure a Ksh 500,000 loan in 2024 to expand her operations. “Banks trust you when your books are clean,” she noted.
For those navigating male-dominated sectors, Esther Njoroge, a tech startup founder in Eldoret, offered a bold tip: “Don’t wait for a seat at the table—bring your own chair.”
Njoroge, whose app connects farmers to buyers, encouraged women to assert their expertise and ignore stereotypes. Her platform, launched in 2023, now serves over 2,000 users, proving resilience pays off.
Marketing on a budget was another focus. Mary Wambui, a Nairobi jewellery designer, recommended leveraging social media.
“Instagram and WhatsApp are free tools—use them to tell your story,” she said. Wambui’s handmade pieces gained traction online, growing her customer base from 20 to over 300 in two years without paid ads.
The government’s push for women’s economic empowerment, including the Hustler Fund and Women Enterprise Fund, also drew praise. Jane Kiptoo, a Nakuru textile trader, advised peers to “apply for these programs early—they’re a lifeline.”
Kiptoo used a Ksh 50,000 loan to buy her first sewing machine, kickstarting a business that now supplies school uniforms county-wide.
Business coach Sarah Kimani, who moderated the Nairobi forum, underscored the growing influence of Kenyan women entrepreneurs.
“These tips aren’t just advice—they’re proven strategies from women breaking barriers daily,” she said.
With women owning nearly 40% of small businesses in Kenya, according to recent Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data, their voices are shaping the future.
