Hairdressers play a huge role in our community. Most women have managed to earn a decent living from this activity. Maureen Wairimu is one of them. The mother of one who lives in Mrima at Likoni is a self-invested entrepreneur owning a salon in ‘Mtaa wa Makaa’.
“Ever since I was a young girl, I had a passion for styling people’s hair. After finishing my high school education in 2006, I managed to secure a job at my mother’s friend salon where I worked for around a year before leaving,” she said.
With the savings she had earned together with a loan from her mother, Maureen moved on to start her own salon in 2008 after the post-election violence.
The business was small at first since she could not afford to buy all the equipment required. Over a period of time, the number of clients increased once she managed to buy all the tools needed.
The increase in profits enabled her to employ two helpers thus increasing the variety of services offered.
“Daily income varies according to seasons. In holiday periods like Christmas or Eid I can make up to Sh3,000 per day after paying the girls their commission. On other days where we mostly do blow-dries and just ordinary braided lines, the least I can get is Sh1,500,” narrated the passionate hairdresser.
The money she makes has enabled the single mother to manage to cater for her son who is now in nursery, pay her rent and support her siblings.
“I love what I do. I am still planning to expand my business since I have not achieved my targeted goal,” she concluded.