“Education is the key to success” is what we were all made to believe as we grew up. In order to have a good life, one has to have a good education first.
This, however, has not been the case for one Samuel Karanja alias Sam D’e Salonist. Samuel dropped in form one after failing the examination only garnering a grade E in his third term exam.
“I joined to form one in the third term due to financial constraints. Having not studied for two terms, I failed and lost hope in education” said Karanja.
A devastated Karanja would then struggle to earn a living on his own now that he had already turned down the opportunity granted to him by his parents to get a secondary school education.
Born and brought up in Githunguri, Lari constituency, Samuel believes that one should pursue their passion regardless of all odds.
The 23 years old is now a renowned hair professional managing his two salons in Zimmerman and 19 employees.
“There is a time I used to earn sh100 per day and I could not even afford to pay rent which was only sh300,” Recalls Samuel.
It was after so many struggles to make ends meet that his father called him home again and offered him a second chance to go back to school.
His father, however, wanted him to study Mechanics but he had already made up his mind that all he wanted was to take a course in hairdressing something his father was not ready to come to terms with.
“I had heard people say that hairdressers were in high demand in Nairobi and I thought it was the best thing to do even if I was not passionate about it. I later watched Liz Wanyoike of NIBS College on TV urging men to take hairdressing courses which convinced me that I was on the right track,” added Samuel.
When his father finally accepted to pay for his hairdressing course, an enthusiastic Sam joined a college in Kagwi although he took time to learn since it was not something he was into. Samuel would later move to Nairobi after completing his course in search of a job opportunity.
For two and a half years, his hairdressing services were purely mobile as he did not have enough money to start his own salon. He then opened a Face book page which has helped him grow and advertise his skills. Last year, Sam was able to open a salon in Zimmerman which has given birth to yet another salon in the same area.
For him, opening a salon would not only help him earn more but also create job opportunities for other people in the industry. From his two businesses, Sam is able to earn over Ksh 40, 000 every month after paying all his employees, bills and all other expenses.
Sam who is an ardent believer accounts his success first to God and quality customer service. He also urges the youths not to depend entirely on white collar jobs but make use of their God-given talents to make a living.