Cleopatra Wanjiku Machira, a 23 year old entrepreneur and Public Health student Mt. Kenya University is the CEO of PABAA_ Patrah’s African Beaded Accessories & Ankara.

Brief description of the business

PABAA_patrahs collection stands for Patrah’s African Beaded Accessories & Ankara. It was started back in 2014.PABAA is involved in making of Ankara bags, beaded accessories, Ankara shoes, crocheted bags, handmade shaggy floor mats, Maasai sandals, pom pom flowers, customized clothes, clutch bags and laptop bags, snoodies and hoodies. The aim of this business is to promote our African culture through the use of African fabrics and ethnic beads targeting both local and international markets.

Early steps taken in developing the business

 First, I trained and believed in myself. My biggest achievement so far is getting a shop to display my work. Initially it was difficult selling and displaying from my own house.
Owning a shop has enabled me to work efficiently and effectively leading to growth of the business.
A strategic location of a business aids in easy accessibility hence customers can be able to see your work and make orders.

Marketing strategy

 Online marketing and customer referrals have been our main method of publicizing the business.
We post our products online so that our potential customers can be able to see them. We also introduce new products and get orders online.
Our business offers best customer service and quality products, thus we are able to get numerous customer referrals.

Challenges in running the business

Getting people who truly appreciate and embrace art has been a problem. Most people believe that African items are expensive and can only be purchased by tourists.
Each time, this is what I always tell my clients: “WHEN YOU BUY SOMETHING FROM AN ARTIST, YOU’RE BUYING MORE THAN AN OBJECT. YOU’RE BUYING HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF ERRORS AND EXPERIMENTATION.
YOU’RE BUYING YEARS OF FRUSTRATION AND MOMENTS OF PURE JOY.
YOU’RE NOT BUYING JUST ONE THING, YOU’RE BUYING A PIECE OF A HEART……A PIECE OF A SOUL…..A SMALL OF SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE.”

We are still dealing with that problem, but luckily there are people who appreciate our work and buy from us. We hence always work hard to satisfy our customers’ demands.

Uniqueness of the business

Our products are of a unique style and new look. The business offers prompt delivery services and quality products. We take orders for both training and products, hence meeting needs and demands of both genders.
We sell products for people of all age and gender.

ART is one of the purest and highest elements of human happiness. It trains the mind through the eye and eye through the mind.
Nothing gives me joy and satisfaction than seeing a final product after days of errors and mistakes.
It is fun playing around with fabrics of multiple colors (kitenge) and beads, making mistakes, redoing and finally getting it done.

How I unwind

I try as much as possible to have some day-offs and go out with my friends, travel. Sometimes I relax in the house reading motivational books and pieces away from business and the day to day hustles.

Advice for your entrepreneurs

Starting a business is not easy. One must be willing to make sacrifices and take risks. Instead of sitting back and waiting to get enough capital. But you can;

Start with what you have,
Start where you are,
Start with that discouragement,
Start with handshaking,
Start and make those mistakes,
Just don’t do anything but START.

Positive energy brings about positivism.
If you feed your mind with inspiration, you definitely get to achieve your desired goals.

Our Contacts:

              Tel: 0715672750    Facebook       Instagram
Or visit our shop at Kahawa West, City Council Market Stall number S49.