Career Page
By Victor Kamau
The Fashion Designer
Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA) where he studied for Bachelor’s degree in Commerce. He had already established a name for himself in some circles and was getting custom clothing orders from different individuals. It was in the third year of his studies that he decided to pursue his passion on a professional level and start his own clothing line, Nevyhoodz Creations. In 2011, he opened a shop in Ongata Rongai where he had someone under permanent employ. He would get orders, design and produce the clothes then drop them at the shop for collection. He then started a facebook page on his line of clothing and aggressively marketed it. “Facebook has been amazing and using it as a marketing tool changed the whole scope of my business,” an excited Nevy says. “I used to tell people to check out my page and to only like it if they are impressed, social media gives you a platform bigger than any boundaries and can reach millions” Today the page has an impressive 22,800 likes and counting.
“I see someone dressed really well and I think; if they changed this particular thing they would look so much better” says Nevy Jackson Mani. Nevy, 25 is a budding fashion designer and entrepreneur. He developed a love for art while at Race Course Primary School in Nairobi. Art fascinated him from a young age but unfortunately the subject was dropped from the primary school syllabus, but this did not stop him from designing and selling custom wrist bands for his classmates in primary school. He later went on to Eastleigh High School where he did all three sciences, a cluster that would not accomodate art. His passion for drawing never wavered; he would do it a hobby. Little did he know then that he was cultivating an avenue for a viable enterprise in his future. After high school he began designing branded T-shirts for matatu crews plying route number 9, and 58. He would approach the crew of these vehicles with a proposal to dress them in a way that would leave a lasting impression. Nevy later joined
If you were stranded on a desert island and you could take only three items, what would you take and why?
22, 800
The number of likes on Nevyhoodz Creations page on facebook
A resource he says has made his business grow remarkably. This eventually drove him to open a shop in the central business district of Nairobi to be in close proximity to his clients. The journey has not been an easy one though as Nevy is quick to point out., his parents didn’t know he was running a business while still in school, so he had to find a way to foot all his bills and keep the young business running. There were also a lot of discouraging voices but he chose to ignore anything that was negative. His resilience and sharp business acumen is now paying off. “It has been an amazing experience building a brand, I feel good when someone copies my style because I know in a way I have influenced them” “Young people should not fear venturing into business, it is not easy but the ultimate reward is worth every second of toil. Social media is a platform that can reach markets far & wide, if well utilized one can reap amazing benefits,” says Nevy. “God has been good to me, my prayers have been answered a lot of times and I see his hand every day” he concludes.
A panga for cutting and building shelter, a matchbox for making fire to keep me warm and to cook food, I will also carry a compass or GPS because I don’t intend to be stranded there for long , I will find my way home. Sam Mwaura, 22 years
I would take a Rosary, water and dates. A rosary because I need to pray in times of hardship, it’s one of those powerful prayers that gets me through anything as long as I recite it heartedly. Water because of the dry environment can make me dehydrated and the dates would take the place of food and fruits. Eunice Quero, 23 years
A water bottle for storing water, a matchbox or a lighter for lighting firewood to keep warm and scare away wild animals, and a machete for hunting and for self defense. Aisha Mwamboje, 24 years
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THE SEED - VOL 25, No. 7, JULY 2013
THE SEED - VOL 25, No. 7, JULY 2013
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