We had the good fortune of connecting with Kwamboka Kariuki and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kwamboka, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I visited Kenya and saw a friend’s business almost going out of business. She’s so talented and had always made all of my outfits. To help her, I started taking orders from friends and family. Being a CPA, I started to think of ways turning this into a business could be mutually beneficial. And that was the start of Kwamboka the business. Seeing her business start to blossom again due to the partnership, we started partnering with a few more vendors from Kenya. Being born and raised there, and knowing the struggles everyday people go through; the partnerships are intended to help the vendors in Kenya, but also bring exposure to Kenyan goods to the US audience- meshing my 2 homes.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started out in the accounting field and do work as a director of finance for an international development firm. My business has given me an opportunity to get in touch with my creative side as my career doesn’t offer much room for design and creativity. It’s not always easy because I tend to design from my point of view and I have been overcoming this by getting help from my fashion forward friends. I go to them for advise on trends, colors and designs as well. I’ve learned to be solid on the purpose of the business (which is to help vendors in my home country by creating an additional selling point of their goods) but to be fluid in the execution. Things are always changing so i’ve learned to be a little less rigid on how to do things.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, we probably would catch up at home with drinks and food (we’re getting old). But if were trying to get out, I’d do brunch at the Old Ebitt Grill followed by a walking tour of the national mall. There are plenty of museum exhibits in DC as well, so we would definitely check one out. I also love nature and there is no shortage of hiking trails in the DMV area. One of my faves for hiking is Scott’s Run Nature Preserve.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My community both in Kenya and the US has been instrumental to getting the business where it’s at. I want to shout out the vendors that have partnered with us for all their beautiful creations. I also want to thank our customers who always come back or pass the word about our business. Special shout out to Wacera Kamawe of Kastone beauty for referring us for this interview.

Website: www.Kwamboka.Com

Instagram: Kwamboka_KE

Facebook: facebook.com/Kwamboka_KE

Other: Tiktok: Kwamboka_KE

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.