A YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR VENTURES INTO A UNIQUE BUSINESS IN SIAYA

There is an old African adage that says, "Change is inevitable". This saying is synonymous to Betty Okwany, 28, who has gone against the grain and started a rare business in Siaya Town which has gained recognition and appreciation by her customers.

Ms. Okwany has introduced a 'Maasai market', a rare market for art lovers commonly known to residents living in major Kenyan towns, in Siaya.

It all started in 2009 when Ms Okwany travelled to Mauritius Island to undertake her undergraduate studies in Business Administration and Management at Charles Telfair Institute.

It was during her stay in the island that her love and passion for art blossomed as a result of meeting people from diverse cultures. Upon her return to Kenya in September 2012, Betty decided to share her experience with her family, friends and neighbors by collecting pieces of artifacts.

I caught up with her as she was helping her shop assistant in arranging the art ware in her stall ready to start another busy day.

"In 2009 I went to study in Mauritius and it was during my stay there that my love for art which I took for granted changed," said Ms. Okwany.

"I never liked art, but after the three year stay in Mauritius I came back and started collecting different pieces of art. A friend asked me to start a shop in Kisumu where I could display and sell my collection, but my heart was in Siaya because it is closer to my home and place of work," added Ms Okwany.

The artistic entrepreneur runs a stall stationed opposite Karapul Filling Station in Siaya Town. Her stock includes; 'Maasai sandals for all sexes and ages, bracelets, vikois, calabashes, wall hangings, decorated flower pots and vases.

Others include wooden walking sticks, beaded products, Ankara clutch bags and leather belts and bags.

Ms Okwany started her business with a startup capital of KShs. 15,000 which was part of her savings after doing odd jobs while studying in Mauritius. She first started as a hawker in 2013 where her main customer base was the university and college students who knew and appreciated the value of art.

"I physically hawked my products to students of Siaya Institute of Technology, Maseno and Bondo Universities," added Ms Okwany.

The young entrepreneur is currently working as a researcher with Impact Research and has seen her business grow tenfold from the initial starting capital with a hope of opening up more branches in other parts of the country.

Ms Okwany added that she had managed to erect a small stall after her clientele base expanded and they were constantly looking for her as they wanted a permanent place where they could find her, unlike when she was hawking.

She at the same time boasts of creating employment to young people who look after the stall when she is at work and help in painting and decorating the artifacts according to the tastes of her customers.

Betty, as her customers fondly know her, admits that she makes good money as profit from her business. The products in her collection range from prices as low as KSh. 50 for a beaded key holder to KSh. 2,000 for flower vases.

"I can't deny that my business is doing fine. I have seen my small business grow from selling kangas and earrings to an average 'Maasai' shop like the ones I see in other towns. The good profit I make will hopefully help me expand my business to higher levels," she said.

On her new customer base since she set up a permanent base, she had this to say, "My products attract all customers, including Europeans and Asians who are either on tour or business trips, who just pop in to purchase and go on with their trip. I also have products for both sexes irrespective of their age and class."

The artifacts are made from locally available materials such as old newspapers, old clothes, old leather, wood, bottle tops and clay. This she says helps in conserving the environment.

She adds that the business requires a lot of sacrifice as she uses her free time to help her employees in weaving, beading and painting.

Ms Okwany also travels to towns like Nairobi, Kisumu, Kakamega and Kitale to purchase artifacts that are not found locally. She stocks the products in her store and decorates them according to her customers' requirements and taste.

Betty challenged the youth and women to venture into entrepreneurship as a way of transforming their economical welfare instead of relying on handouts from politicians and friends.

She further advised the youth to exploit their talents like dancing, singing, weaving, carving and painting as a way of ensuring that they are delivered from economic bondage that is tightening its grip due to the increasing lack of white-collar job opportunities.

"It is high time the youth created or employed themselves and stopped depending on the limited office jobs as is the case. They can only achieve this by being creative and exploiting their talents," said Ms Okwany.