International Women’s Day 2021: Celebrating Artisans from Different Genres

Being a mum means that we have to juggle a lot of responsibilities. We have to be mums, partners, employees and mumpreneurs all at the same time! To celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2021, we caught up with mumpreneurs who are creating items from scratch and running their own businesses. 

These artisans share their inspiration and how they’ve managed to build and design their businesses.

A. Kanyi Ohawa, All n Sundry  [IG @allandsundrylimited]

1. What is your “why” in business? 

I believe I was put on this earth to express the beauty of God’s creation through my work. That’s my why. The medium may change from time to time, but the purpose remains the same.

2. How do you generate new ideas?

I get my inspiration from the nature around me, conversations with people, and strangely, from Home & Garden magazines!

3. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

I love when a client is touched and moved by my work!

4. How does being a mum influence your entrepreneurial journey?

I think at the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey I had to choose between being a present mum and driving growth in my company. The company grew a lot slower, and I have no regrets.

B. Nyaruita Mwaniki Gateri, Fior Di Latte Gelato [IG @itsmygelato]

1. What is your “why” in business? 

Turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. I enjoy taking local ingredients, like milk from my own cows and infusing local flavours to make insanely delicious gelato. 

2. How do you generate new ideas?

My mum encouraged me to buy cows over 20 years ago. She is my inspiration. I also generate new ideas by interacting with other creatives. We host an Artisanal Market every first Saturday of the month at the Adventure Farm, where I make gelato. Recently I collaborated with two fellow Artisans to make authentically Kenyan flavours – Kai Apple gelato and a Cashew Nut gelato.

3. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

When I see the expressions on the face of my customers. Pure delight. 

4. How does being a mum influence your entrepreneurial journey?

When our firstborn was born 10 years ago, I knew I wanted to have the flexibility to focus on our growing family. My children are my greatest fans and are challenging me to go beyond borders.

C. Kitty Onyango – Fierce Jewel [@fiercejewelclothing]

1. What is your “why” in business?

I am a hands-on mum so being a MumPreneur I am able to design my work around my parenting role and have the best of both worlds while involving my children in my business. 

2. How do you generate new ideas?

I generate new ideas by traveling, visiting and engaging in other forms of art, while socializing with creatives in other fields. 

3.What has been your most satisfying moment in business?

My most satisfying moment in business has been having new customers who have never met me trust my brand.

4. How does being a mum influence your entrepreneurial journey?

Being a mum influences my entrepreneurial journey because I want my children to watch me through the whole journey from creating a product to having a happy customer wear the garment and also to see the ups and downs of business and therefore learn resilience.

Are you a mumpreneur? How has motherhood influenced how you show up in your business? Let us know in the comments below.

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