Rachael Waithera Njoroge: How She Rose from Earning KSh 300 a Day to Building Rakeeri Wigs

Rachael Waithera Njoroge, widely known as Rakeeri Wigs, is a Kenyan entrepreneur who has built a name for herself in the beauty industry through her wig business. Her journey began with a modest income from a hardware shop job in Nairobi before she ventured into selling wigs, eventually turning her idea into a growing business.

Rachael was born and raised in Gakoe village, Gatundu North, Kiambu County. She attended Gakoe Primary School, where she scored 280 marks in the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), before proceeding to Gakoe Mixed High School. She completed her secondary education with a mean grade of C+ in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE).

After leaving school, Rachael moved to Nairobi in search of employment and opportunities to improve her life. She found work at a hardware shop, where she earned approximately KSh 300 a day. Although the income was modest, the job marked the beginning of her working life in the city.

In 2007, she met the man who would later become her husband. He operated a business dealing in phones and laptops in the same commercial building where she worked. Their relationship developed over time, and they eventually started a family.

Before establishing herself in business, Rachael also pursued acting. She attended auditions and developed her skills at the Kenya National Theatre, where she sought opportunities to build a career in the entertainment industry. Her efforts eventually opened doors to local productions and an opportunity at Inooro TV, a Kikuyu-language station owned by Royal Media Services.

However, acting did not always provide the financial stability she needed. Rachael has recounted an experience in which she was owed approximately KSh 56,000 for work she had done. The experience highlighted the financial uncertainties she encountered while trying to establish herself in the entertainment industry.

Away from her professional pursuits, Rachael also went through a difficult period when her firstborn daughter developed health complications. According to her account, the family spent more than two years seeking medical assistance before doctors identified the child’s condition when she was three years old.

In 2012, when her daughter was approximately three and a half years old, she underwent major surgery. The child continued receiving specialised medical care and therapy over the following years. Rachael has since said that her daughter is now healthy.

As she navigated these personal and professional challenges, Rachael began experimenting with different hairstyles by combining hair weaves to create distinctive looks. The styles attracted attention from people who wanted to know where they could purchase similar creations.

The growing interest encouraged her to consider turning her creativity into a business. Rather than limiting herself to making hairstyles for personal use, she began exploring the commercial potential of wigs.

Rachael initially bought ready-made wigs for approximately KSh 10,000 each and resold them for around KSh 12,000. She operated from home, using the small venture to test the market and attract customers.

The business did not take off immediately. At times, she would wait for up to two weeks before selling a single wig. Despite the slow pace of sales, she continued working to establish a customer base, relying on patience and the belief that the venture could grow into a sustainable source of income.

After running the business from home for about three months, Rachael began receiving encouragement from customers to open a physical shop. The suggestion presented an opportunity to make her products more accessible to buyers and establish a stronger presence in the beauty market.

A wholesaler later offered her a small space from which she could operate. She also received a ring light, which helped her record videos to showcase her wigs and promote them online.

Social media became an important part of her marketing strategy. One of her promotional videos reportedly attracted approximately 3.5 million views, exposing her products to a much larger audience than she could have reached through her initial customer base alone.

The attention helped increase interest in Rakeeri Wigs and brought greater visibility to the business. Customers who discovered the brand through online content could now engage with her products, demonstrating how digital platforms can help small businesses reach potential buyers beyond their immediate surroundings.

As demand grew, Rachael expanded her operations beyond the small space where she had started. The business established a presence along River Road in Nairobi before moving to larger premises along Moi Avenue in the Central Business District. The relocation provided more room to serve customers as the brand continued to develop.

Rakeeri Wigs has since become the business through which Rachael is widely recognised in Kenya’s beauty industry. Her work focuses on wigs and hair solutions for customers seeking different styles, while her entrepreneurial journey has drawn attention to the possibilities available to people who begin businesses with limited resources.

Her experience also illustrates the role that social media can play in promoting a business. A venture that initially depended on home-based sales gained wider visibility after a promotional video reached millions of viewers. While online attention does not automatically guarantee lasting success, it can create opportunities for businesses to attract customers and expand their reach.

Rachael’s path from earning KSh 300 a day at a hardware shop to running a wig business involved several changes in direction. She explored acting, managed family responsibilities and eventually identified a commercial opportunity in an area that had initially begun as a personal interest.

As a wife and mother, she continues to balance family life with her business ambitions. Her story offers a practical example of how creativity, persistence and a willingness to adapt can help an individual build a business, even when the early stages are marked by slow sales and limited resources.

Source (https://www.facebook.com/share/1CZ5RcAKFP/)

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