Westgate survivors back in business, inspire others to triumph over misfortune

Eight months after the Westgate shopping mall terrorist attack, some of the businesses that had operated inside the mall have relocated, while many others have closed permanently, leaving hundreds without jobs.

"Obviously we were traumatised by the terror attack and devastated by our job losses," said Emily Makena, 30, one of the eight employees. "We initially panicked because we did not know where to start. Whether to look for new jobs, which are rare to come by, or [whether to consider] starting our own business when we did not have adequate capital."Among those who found themselves suddenly unemployed were eight friends who worked together at Lintons Beauty World, which was situated on the ground floor of the mall.

Although they were unsure about the future, she said they decided to take destiny into their own hands, concluding that "self-pitying would not help".

Together the co-workers -- Joe Thuo, Joan Kimani, Judith Mwangi, Mary Mburu, Pauline Karugi, Naima Wanjiku, Esther Wangui and Emily Makena -- bounced back, opening as co-owners a new salon called Premier Beauty Lounge located in Nairobi's Westlands business district.

Back in April 2013, the group had already begun looking towards the future and formed a company called Premium Ventures Kenya Limited to which each member contributed 10,000 shillings ($115) monthly with the goal of eventually buying a plot of land and building rental-earning flats.

It is this money that unexpectedly became their fall-back plan. "By the end of November 2013, our collective savings stood at 400,000 shillings [$4,600], but too little to initiate a modern beauty lounge in an uptown area," she said. "This did not however dampen our resolve".

The co-workers soon developed a business proposal and secured a 3-million shilling ($34,600) loan from Rafiki Microfinance Bank.

Triumph over misfortune

Immediately after receiving the money, they secured a business space in the heart of Westlands and ordered equipment and decorations from Dubai.

"While we waited for the equipment to arrive in Kenya, we vigorously marketed the new lounge through pamphlets which we distributed in the city. We were also active on social media, through word of mouth and called clients on their mobile phones to inform them of our upcoming lounge," Makena said.

On March 20th, the salon had its grand opening, attended by Nairobi County Governor Evan Kidero, who said he was impressed by the can-do attitude of the former Westgate mall employees.

"On hearing the story of these young men and women, I am humbled and honoured to be their guest today to celebrate their triumph over misfortune. Their story serves as an inspiration to fellow youth who endeavour to achieve success," Kidero said during the opening ceremony.

Makena, who is also the group's accountant, said that the business has since flourished, making up to 100,000 shillings ($1,200) on busy days and holidays.

"We are happy with the way things have turned out," she said. "We are comfortably able to handle our overhead, repay the bank loan, our salaries and save some cash for future business expansion."

Makena also said they are not afraid of going back to Westgate once the mall re-opens.

"We shall have a Premier Beauty Lounge branch there if we are lucky to get some space," she said. "It will be our bold way of saying no to terrorists' intimidation."

Prior to the attack, Westgate mall generated more than 100 billion shillings ($1.2 billion) in annual turnover and accounted for over 2,000 jobs.

Reconstruction of the mall began on March 3rd with projections saying the re-opening will not happen for at least two years.

Former clients support new business venture

Mercy Matano, 43, a real estate administrator awaiting a facial treatment at the spa, said the group has shown that "when you are ready to pick up the pieces and move on with your life, it is possible and important to have a game plan".

"I trust in their entrepreneurial skills which in essence have enabled them to start and prepare for this new job opportunity," she told Sabahi.

"They are an inspirational group because when most people lose their jobs or business through misfortune, it is devastating and most do not have the strength to move on," she said. "I am impressed they had a plan and a strategy to implement it."

Another former client, Scola Muthamia, 39, said she learnt of the opening of Premier Beauty Lounge through a short text message sent by staffer Esther Wangui, who was her nail technician before the attack.

"Although the ghost of terror can haunt some people for a long time, Wangui and her colleagues have shown the world that through positive thinking, it is possible to rise again from the ashes," she said.

Muthamia said she booked a Swedish body massage, pedicure and manicure Premier Beauty Lounge. "It is my symbolic gesture of showing that the dark chapter is closed and it is possible to turn heartbreak into hope," she said.

Life goes on

Nairobi City County chief adviser John Osogo, who attended the spa's official opening, said he was impressed by the group's forward-thinking style.

"Terror attacks can usher in an era of fear and uncertainty but employees and companies that have a contingency plan survive during the downturn," he told Sabahi.

Osoro urged other people who lost their jobs in the Westgate attack not to give up and engineer their own sources of income. "Desperation and giving up is giving terror room to triumph, but a human being has the power of endurance and resilience against adversity," he said.

"What happened is extremely sad, but life goes on," Osoro added. "Not despairing is a fitting reply to the terrorists [to show them] that they can momentarily disrupt life -- but not forever."



back in business

(Sabahi)