A kaleidoscope of vibrant furnishings greets visitors at Emily Wangui’s showroom on Quarry Road, Nairobi. The hum of saws and the steady rhythm of hammers style the backdrop of this creative space, where handcrafted pieces arrive to lifestyles, is a relief at the ogle of the breathtaking finished works.
Wangui, whose name on social media is Wakeji Kamore, is a intelligent entrepreneur whose infectious vitality fills the room as she oversees every detail of her flourishing enterprise, aptly named “Furnishings Zoo.”
From dreamer to entrepreneur
Emily Wangui, 38, is known for her dynamic approach to entrepreneurship. She describes herself as a “blend of aggressive and bubbly,” a personality that has fueled her success in the competitive world of furniture making. But her journey didn’t begin with woodworking—it was sparked by an unexpected discovery online.
“One night, while searching for furniture inspiration on YouTube, I came across the story of Jumoke Dada, a Nigerian entrepreneur who built her furniture brand from scratch,” Emily recalls. “Seeing her succeed in a male-dominated industry lit a fire in me. It was a reminder that my dreams could be just as real as hers.”
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Turning inspiration into action
Armed with newfound motivation, Emily embarked on her possess entrepreneurial accelerate. Nonetheless, the road to starting “Furnishings Zoo” was far from easy.
From securing funding to sourcing materials, she faced a large quantity of challenges. But with the toughen of pals and family, who helped finance her dream, she managed to take the primary critical steps.
“I had been saving for a time out to Dubai,” she admits with a smile. “But when it came down to deciding on between a vacation or constructing a enterprise that may well last a lifetime, the decision was straightforward. My enterprise won.”
A team effort
In exactly 18 months, Emily Wangui has transformed the company into a thriving project, the usage of a team of 20 talented individuals.
Each month, they handle 10-15 custom-made orders ranging from comfy accent chairs to large commercial projects. The key to her success lies in the seamless collaboration of her team, who share her passion for craftsmanship and excellence.
One such team member, Morris Ouma, speaks extremely of his trip working at the company. “Working with Wakeji has allowed me to hone my abilities as a wood joiner and present for my family in ways I by no means imagined,” he says. “It’s incredibly gratifying to watch our work enhance anyone’s living or working space.”
Challenges and triumphs along the way
For Emily, two moments stand out as defining milestones in her accelerate. The first was when a stranger relied on her, with out ever visiting the showroom, to carry their custom-made furnishings.
“That was such a self assurance increase,” she says, recalling the trip. The second came when her team successfully achieved their first large-scale restaurant mission, turning in beyond the client’s expectations.
“We’re no longer lawful creating furnishings; we’re shaping the heart of anyone’s dwelling or enterprise. And we maintain it with satisfaction,” Emily Wangui adds.
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The way forward for Furnishings Zoo
As Nairobi’s housing market continues to grow rapidly, Emily is poised to expand her enterprise additional. With over 60% of her clients being expatriates and 34% local residents searching for custom-made, excessive-quality pieces, Emily sees never-ending alternatives ahead.
“Being a woman in this trade presents me a peculiar edge,” she explains. “Many girls folks are fascinated by dwelling decor decisions, and I understand their wants in a way that resonates.”
For Emily Wanguie, the prolonged bolt is brilliant. With a dedicated team and a clear vision, she’s inflamed to continue making her mark in the furnishings world. “I’ve learned that if you can dream it, you can gain it.”
