Carpentry Business: From graduating in the great halls of Strathmore University to hammering out beautiful furniture, Andrew Owondo has taken quite an exciting career path. His interior design and furniture business, Barizi Interiors, is thriving thanks to his creative and inspired approach to carpentry.
Owondo holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Information Technology from Strathmore University. He says his education has equipped him with the knowledge to manage his carpentry business while creating innovative furniture designs.
He combines his IT and business skills to continually develop his business and stay at the forefront of the digital world. For instance, he says he created his business website and runs a blog which he updates weekly. This has allowed him to interact with more customers.
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When asked why he chose entrepreneurship over the corporate world, Andrew says he wanted to become his boss and touch people’s lives by making furniture designs that would be treasured for years.
As he puts it, Barizi Interiors is about “bringing a smile to everyone” through his creative furniture designs. He says the business has enabled him to reach more people, create job opportunities, and make a living.
Going Online
From his IT background, Andrew realized he could reach a wider audience if he made Barizi Interiors an online store. He says the internet has helped him connect with clients from over Kenya. It has also allowed him to learn more about his craft and get new ideas.
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He created an Instagram page – Barizi Interiors – where he could showcase his work, promote it and receive orders online. Through his page and website, clients can order furniture without leaving the comfort of their homes, and this convenience has kept him ahead of his competitors.
He cites other benefits of going online, such as:
- Expanding his customer base to get more orders.
- Offering his products and services to a broader market.
- Staying up to date with the latest trends in furniture design.
- Connecting with other furniture makers to share ideas and collaborate
The carpenter fondly recounts the monumental task of helping one client redesign and build furniture for his new home. Describing it as ‘going from nothing to something,’ Andrew says he finds fulfillment in creating an entire look for someone’s home from scratch.
Mission
Barizi Interiors combines comfort, quality, and style so that their clients can enjoy a fashionable, helpful interior design.
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Their mission is to bring their customers happiness while giving back to the community. Andrew says they always strive to provide meaningful employment opportunities when hiring staff and contractors.
Their goal is simple; to make people happier through beautiful homes and designs and provide jobs wherever possible
Advice
Andrew encourages young entrepreneurs to start their businesses and advises them to take risks. He urges business owners to be patient and enjoy the journey.
He also advises entrepreneurs always to be open to learning and never stop growing. According to him, success will follow if you’re passionate about what you do and are willing to work hard.
Takeaway
Andrew’s story is one of ambition and entrepreneurship. He has used his knowledge and skills to build Barizi Interiors from the ground up. With an innovative approach, he has used technology to expand his customer base and reach his goals.
Andrew’s story inspires us all—anything can be achieved with enough dedication.
