30-year-old Linet Wakio, an employee of Kisii University, used her savings to open a boutique in Kisii.
The first born in a family of four is now the proud Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Rembeka Collections, which is located at Mwembe Tayari in Kisii County.The mother of one said she started the boutique after she topped up her savings with a loan from a Sacco, and managed to raise a capital of Sh20,000."I started with Sh20,000 only and I have now grown big. I open the boutique at 8am and go through the stock records before leaving for my official job at the university. I return to the shop after work and close at 6pm after ensuring all is well,” said Wakio.Wakio has one employee who works at the boutique which sells ladies clothes, handbags and shoes.
Wakio's boutique located at Mwembe Tayari in Kisii County. [Photo/ Stephen Mwaniki]
"I deal with the ladies as they are more fashionable compared to men. I make an average of Sh60,000 per month but at times the figure can be slightly lower or higher," she said.Wakio says with the extra money she makes from her boutique, she can now afford to pay fees for her Master’s programme as well as educate her two brothers who are in college and her little sister who is in high school.Competition is Wakio’s greatest challenge due to the high number of boutiques in Kisii town. However, she notes that her positive attitude towards customers is what has helped her maintain a large customer base."We have very many boutiques here in Kisii but how we treat our customers is the key to our success," she said.With big dreams to expand her boutique into a bridal shop, Wakio disclosed that passion and discipline are the two major virtues one requires to grow their business."Be a dream chaser and with passion and discipline, your business will do well," said Wakio.
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