Stacey Auma’s journey began in the vibrant streets of Nairobi, where she made a living selling secondhand clothes. However, this path was fraught with challenges, as she often faced arrests by county officials targeting street vendors. Undeterred by these obstacles, Stacey continued to press forward, distributing her CV in search of alternative employment, though her efforts proved fruitless.
Disappointed by the lack of response from the job market, Stacey sought new ways to achieve financial stability. Initially, she washed clothes for residents in the Greenspan area of Nairobi, but the strain of back pain forced her to abandon the venture.
It was her mother’s encouragement that prompted Stacey to venture into food vending. Despite her optimism, financial setbacks led her to close the business after just four months. But Stacey’s resilient spirit refused to be broken. With a modest Sh. 1,000 in hand, she ventured into Gikomba market, where she purchased 30 sweater tops at Sh. 30 each, reselling them for Sh. 100, netting a profit of Sh. 70 per piece. She soon expanded her range to include jumpers, a move that led to her arrest on the very first day of selling. Nevertheless, the next day, she returned and sold out her entire stock of jumpers, a victory that greatly lifted her morale.
Stacey’s success in selling jumpers inspired her to collaborate with other women, pooling their resources to purchase a container of bales. Upon receiving the bales, they divided the stock among themselves and began selling. This marked a turning point in Stacey’s life, leading her to open her own shop in Gikomba, where she sold secondhand clothes, handbags, shoes, and household items. To expand her reach, she leveraged social media to market her products effectively.
Despite facing challenges such as low-quality bales that resulted in losses and dealing with demanding customers, Stacey’s relentless work ethic and determination propelled her business forward. She attributes her success to the unwavering support from her mother and the collective effort of the women who helped fund the container of bales.
Beyond her entrepreneurial pursuits, Stacey also serves as a football coach, imparting her passion and skills to the Black Warrior soccer team in Ruiru, Nairobi. Her love for football was nurtured at the Kibera Girls Soccer Academy, where she spent four years honing her abilities. She later played for various teams before transitioning into coaching, sharing her expertise with the next generation of players.
