Afrigather A kaleidoscope of vibrant furnishings greets guests at Emily Wangui’s showroom on Quarry Street, Nairobi. The hum of saws and the regular rhythm of hammers type the backdrop of this inventive house, the place handcrafted items come to life, is a reduction on the sight of the breathtaking completed works.
Wangui, whose title on social media is Wakeji Kamore, is a spirited entrepreneur whose infectious vitality fills the room as she oversees each element of her flourishing enterprise, aptly named “Furnishings Zoo.”
From dreamer to entrepreneur
Emily Wangui, 38, is thought for her dynamic strategy to entrepreneurship. She describes herself as a “mix of aggressive and bubbly,” a character that has fueled her success within the aggressive world of furnishings making. However her journey didn’t start with woodworking—it was sparked by an sudden discovery on-line.
“One night time, whereas looking for furnishings inspiration on YouTube, I got here throughout the story of Jumoke Dada, a Nigerian entrepreneur who constructed her furnishings model from scratch,” Emily recollects. “Seeing her reach a male-dominated business lit a fireplace in me. It was a reminder that my desires may very well be simply as actual as hers.”
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Turning inspiration into motion
Armed with newfound motivation, Emily launched into her personal entrepreneurial journey. Nevertheless, the street to beginning “Furnishings Zoo” was removed from simple.
From securing funding to sourcing supplies, she confronted quite a few challenges. However with the assist of family and friends, who helped finance her dream, she managed to take the primary important steps.
“I had been saving for a visit to Dubai,” she admits with a smile. “However when it got here down to picking between a trip or constructing a enterprise that might final a lifetime, the choice was easy. My enterprise received.”
A group effort
In simply 18 months, Emily Wangui has remodeled the corporate right into a thriving enterprise, using a group of 20 proficient people.
Every month, they deal with 10-15 customized orders starting from cozy accent chairs to giant business initiatives. The important thing to her success lies within the seamless collaboration of her group, who share her ardour for craftsmanship and excellence.
One such group member, Morris Ouma, speaks extremely of his expertise working on the firm. “Working with Wakeji has allowed me to hone my expertise as a wooden joiner and supply for my household in methods I by no means imagined,” he says. “It’s extremely fulfilling to see our work improve somebody’s dwelling or working house.”
Challenges and triumphs alongside the best way
For Emily, two moments stand out as defining milestones in her journey. The primary was when a stranger trusted her, with out ever visiting the showroom, to ship their customized furnishings.
“That was such a confidence enhance,” she says, recalling the expertise. The second got here when her group efficiently accomplished their first large-scale restaurant undertaking, delivering past the shopper’s expectations.
“We’re not simply creating furnishings; we’re shaping the center of somebody’s residence or enterprise. And we do it with satisfaction,” Emily Wangui provides.
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The way forward for Furnishings Zoo
As Nairobi’s housing market continues to develop quickly, Emily is poised to increase her enterprise additional. With over 60% of her shoppers being expatriates and 34% native residents looking for customized, high-quality items, Emily sees infinite alternatives forward.
“Being a girl on this business offers me a singular edge,” she explains. “Many ladies are concerned in residence decor selections, and I perceive their wants in a approach that resonates.”
For Emily Wanguie, the long run is shiny. With a devoted group and a transparent imaginative and prescient, she’s excited to proceed making her mark within the furnishings world. “I’ve realized that in case you can dream it, you possibly can construct it.”
