Naomi Wairimu Ogutu moved to New York a decade ago in search of greener pastures, a decision that has over the years proved to be life-changing.
The mother of three had only one dream -to change her life- and was not prepared for the marital and occupational challenges she encountered, which eventually shaped her into who she is today.
Naomi landed in New York in 2012, where she started working at a retail store despite holding a master’s degree in project management.
While juggling work, motherhood, and immigration struggles, she also had to confront marital struggles with her husband, a former politician.
She recalled how her husband whom they had built a family together and relocated together to the USA, started exhibiting awful behaviors that led to unending fights in their relationship.
Naomi accused her husband of infidelity before eventually moving in with another woman just outside the serenity of their compound.
“They used to eat pizza meant for my kids on the stairs outside our home. They wanted to provoke me, make me react violently, so they could use it against me in court,” she recalled.
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Aware of how strict the American justice system can be, she chose restraint over rage and decided to focus on her kids and personal growth.
“In Kenya, you can break a TV out of anger. In the U.S., even breaking a cup can land you in jail,” She said. “I kept praying, I knelt through entire masses. I asked God to give me strength. I didn’t come to America to be defeated. I came here to change my life,” She added.
She put in extra hard work, and it was not long before things started to move in her favor.
She took up another job, driving Uber in New York, an opportunity that opened her mind to new opportunities, including connecting her with business owners, investors, and people who had created wealth out of ideas.
As the saying goes, a good dancer knows when to quit the stage. Naomi quit her Uber job and landed a contractual job at Con Edison, one of the largest energy providers in New York, as a systems administrator, a big break that gave her financial stability and confidence.
However, this was not enough for the bold woman who envisioned building something of her own rather than relying on employment.
She later founded Naomi Cars NYC, a high-end tour and executive car rental company, capitalising on her knowledge of New York City gained through a masterclass at Master Cabi Academy and her interactions with clients at JFK International Airport.
Her business now serves high-profile clients, including hosting Kenyan groups for US tours. Naomi is now preparing to launch a luxury boat service on New York City’s famous Hudson River, becoming the first African immigrant woman to do so.
“This is not just about business. It’s about history,” she said. “I want my fellow Kenyans to come and witness it,” she said.
