Acha*, a refugee living in Nairobi, Kenya, has built a successful fashion enterprise by leveraging social media platforms to sell clothes both locally and internationally.
Acha
In 2016, Acha and her sisters were forced to flee their home due to political violence in their country. After arriving in Nairobi, Kenya as refugees, Acha and her family struggled to survive. In 2021, RefugePoint staff identified Acha as someone who could benefit from our program, and Acha began working in partnership with RefugePoint to reach a point of self-reliance. As a URPP client, Acha completed the Business Development Skills (BDS) training and received a grant to start her own business. Through her business selling clothes and shoes in several Nairobi neighborhoods, Acha has reached a point of stability in her life.
“Ever since I was a little girl, I have loved fashion a lot. There is a TV show that I used to love to watch about someone who was in love with fashion. In the show, the character’s parents supported her to be able to venture into that business, so that is how my passion grew. When the opportunity came to start a business, it was a no-brainer. I did not have to think twice about the type of business I would start. I went straight into fashion.”
Acha delivers clothing orders throughout the city of Nairobi, either in person or through trusted motorbike riders and couriers. Over time, Acha has learned to leverage the power of social media to market her products. She advertises on Facebook Marketplace and WhatsApp, and receives referrals to potential customers daily. Recently, she started selling her products internationally on several online platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp marketing.
“For those who are in business, I would advise them to consider taking the business online because it is really convenient and I am able to control everything from my phone. It is less hectic because I don’t necessarily need to physically move around,” Acha shared with us.
In 2024, Acha began working as a mentor at RefugePoint’s BDS training sessions—the very sessions that she once attended—to help other refugees start their own businesses. Acha’s business and mentoring activities demonstrate her innovative and entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to growing her business through creative marketing strategies.