Grace Wambere is a wife, mother, and the visionary CEO of Mitumba Chap Chap, a business she founded with determination and a passion for entrepreneurship. Her journey into the world of mitumba (second-hand clothing) is an inspiring tale of courage, persistence, and self-belief.
Grace’s story begins with a desire for a better life and the pursuit of higher education. Driven by ambition, she left Kenya for Germany in search of greener pastures. To ease her transition, she first enrolled in a German language course. She later pursued a degree in Information Technology at the prestigious Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt. She also explored hotel management and participated in an internship at a media company, where she honed her skills in branding. Grace spent eight years in Germany before returning to Kenya in 2011.
In 2013, Grace embarked on her entrepreneurial journey by founding Mitumba Chap Chap after consulting with several people about affordable clothing. Many of them recommended Gikomba Market, a renowned second-hand clothing hub in Nairobi. Initially, Grace was apprehensive about venturing into the market, fearing the stories of muggings that often accompanied the area’s reputation.
However, with time, she gathered the courage to visit Gikomba armed with just two thousand shillings. What she discovered left her astonished—Gikomba offered affordable clothes at unbelievable prices. Grace began by selecting maternity wear, which she showcased at fashion shows tailored to pregnant women. The response was overwhelming, with many attendees eager to purchase the items. She began selling the clothes at maternity fairs, building a loyal customer base.
In 2013, Grace became a mother, which temporarily slowed down her business ventures. She took time off until her son was four months old before diving back into the mitumba business full time. The desire for self-employment and financial independence fueled her ambition, despite opposition from many, including her father. Grace recalls, “My dad was against the idea of me selling mitumba. He believed I couldn’t go to Germany, earn a degree in IT, and then come back to start selling second-hand clothes.” But like her mother, Grace was resolute in her desire to create her own path.
Her early exposure to the clothing business stemmed from her mother’s tailoring background. Growing up, Grace spent her holidays assisting her mother, who ran a stall at Kamukunji Market in Nyeri. Grace became familiar with the tools of the trade—measuring tapes, threads, and the sewing machine. On weekends, when her mother took her merchandise to the market, Grace would stay behind to sell the clothes. Her mother’s excitement upon returning to find that Grace had sold the items motivated her further. This early exposure sparked her entrepreneurial spirit, and during high school, she even sold boob tops and biker shorts to her classmates.
Grace’s journey from a young girl helping her mother at the market to the CEO of a thriving mitumba business reflects her resilience and unwavering dedication. Her story is a testament to the power of self-belief and the pursuit of one’s dreams, no matter the obstacles.
