Mary Mutola is a fashion and design technical teacher and the founder of Sasha Designs Closet, a thriving fashion business based in Nairobi.
Her entrepreneurial journey began in 2018, right after graduating and facing the challenges of a recent breakup, single motherhood, and a move from the countryside to Nairobi. Life in the city was expensive, and with her teaching certificates still being processed, she needed a quick way to support herself and her child. She took on a job selling chapatis, also known as chapo mwitu, earning Sh. 50 per session, paid three times a day, totaling Sh. 150. After five months of hard work, she saved up Sh. 3,000, which she used to buy a table and an old sewing machine handed down by her parents to start her fashion business. Though she wasn’t perfect at first, she posted her designs on social media, eager to begin her new venture.
It took five months before she got her first order. During this time, she balanced her chapo mwitu hustle alongside her sewing. But as her customer base grew, so did the challenges. Many customers were dissatisfied with her initial work, largely due to her lack of experience. Reflecting on this period, Mary acknowledges that she lost most of her early clients. However, things took a positive turn when a childhood friend, who was planning a wedding, called her to create the wedding outfits. This large order not only boosted her capital but also gave her the confidence and validation she needed to keep going.
As Mary’s business grew, managing finances became a challenge. She found it difficult to separate her business income from her salary. To address this, she started using her M-Pesa Till account, where she tracked sales, production costs, and profits, ensuring better financial management.
Mary is a strong advocate for balancing business and employment. She believes relying on a single salary isn’t enough to achieve your financial goals. For her, having multiple income streams is essential. She explains that some days the fashion business slows down due to seasonal trends, and during these low periods, her job helps bridge the gap. She also emphasizes the importance of choosing a side hustle that aligns with your skills.
Reinvesting profits back into the business has been a key strategy for Mary’s growth. She makes sure to maintain a steady stock of fabrics and materials, allowing her to purchase in bulk when prices are favorable and avoid last-minute trips to the market.
Mary’s journey, which started with earning just Sh. 150 from her chapo mwitu hustle, has taught her the value of every coin. No amount is too small to save or invest in. If she had dismissed her initial earnings as insignificant, she might never have embarked on her fashion business. She stresses that success is possible when you live within your means and make every bit of money count.
This profile of Mary Mutola was originally published in the Saturday Magazine, a publication by Nation Media Group.
