Nakuru Businessman Narrates Converting Cosmetics Shop Into College

• Kenyan businessman John Kimemia Gitau is the proprietor of the Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies in Nakuru county
• He aspired to establish a primary school to provide hundreds of children with the chance to receive an education
• Instead, he started a cybercafe, ventured into running a cosmetics shop, and eventually established a hairdressing school

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

John Kimemia Gitau used to walk barefoot for seven kilometres to primary school every day when he was young.

He recalled the struggles faced by his village friends, who were unable to attend school and was touched by their plight.

Witnessing the challenges his friends encountered due to their inability to read or write left a lasting impact.

During his time in upper primary school, he secured manual jobs on farms. Occasionally, he was entrusted with supervisory roles solely because of his ability to read and write.

"Growing up in a village, I observed firsthand the transformative power of education. The contrast between the lives of the educated, primarily teachers, and those of the peasant farmers around me was striking. This disparity fueled my desire to empower others through learning, and to be a part of that transformative journey," Gitau said in an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke.

That is where he found his love for education and made a personal commitment to one day bring about positive change in society and the world through the transformative power of education.

What did John Gitau do before going to college?

After completing his secondary education, Gitau recounted securing a job as a data entry clerk.

He later joined college while still working as a data entry clerk. At his workstation, he was tasked with training others on using computers.

"This unexpected task taught me more about the power of education. During my time in college, while juggling work and studies, I got promoted three times in just three years," he reminisced.

What were John Gitau's first businesses?

After college, he aspired to establish a primary school, providing hundreds of children the chance to receive an education.

Instead, he started a cybercafe, ventured into running a cosmetics shop, and eventually established a hairdressing school in Kericho town.

"Facing challenges in my early retail ventures in Nairobi, I found myself drawn back to the beauty industry in Kericho. This move was not just a business decision; it aligned with a longstanding personal aspiration to venture into education. For as long as I can remember, I've harboured a passion for teaching and learning," he narrated.

However, the 2007/2008 post-election violence complicated matters, forcing him to close his college in Kericho.

How Gitau started the Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies

Gitau relocated to Nakuru for a fresh start.

"When I restarted in Nakuru, I faced two major challenges: adapting to an unfamiliar environment and the need for more investment capital for a larger town setting. Fortunately, Equity Bank provided crucial financial support, allowing me to cover cash flow and operational expenses," he recalled.

He conducted extensive feasibility studies on various sectors, including salons, secondary schools, cyber cafes, and existing TVET colleges in Nakuru.

His research revealed a significant gap in cosmetology training as few colleges offered hair and beauty courses, and those that did were priced for the affluent.

"Recognising this unmet need for more accessible education in this field, I saw an opportunity to step in and fill this void. We began with just two courses, hairdressing and beauty therapy, and expanded our offerings gradually in response to the growing demand. This approach allowed us to cater to a broader demographic, making quality education in hair and beauty more accessible to a wider range of students," Gitau noted.

That was how the Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies came to be. Gitau explained that their approach to training in the cosmetics and beauty industry was centred on preparing students for the job market.

Networking was key in navigating the regulatory and accreditation processes.

"The business expertise I gained from running a cosmetics shop, despite its challenges, has been invaluable in shaping the educational programmes at our college," he said.

"The balance between running the business side of a college and maintaining educational quality lies in continuously adapting to industry changes and focusing on providing excellent instructions," he added.

Who founded MKU?

In other news, Simon Gicharu is the Kiambu billionaire behind Mt Kenya University.

Gicharu was a secondary school teacher who later taught at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology and Thika Technical Training Institute.

Gicharu's story is one of grass to grace, having risen from a milk vendor to one of the country's renowned billionaires.