“Fall in love with what you are doing” says Linah of Tetra Beauty and Cosmetics.

What are your full names, your age (if you don’t mind), the name of your business and your role in it?

Linah Mukami Muthoni. 34 years of age. Owner and Founder of Tetra Beauty And Cosmetics .

What’s Your Story? How did you start, what is your motivation, what problem are you solving etc.

Interesting you ask that (giggles).

I had been a banker for 7 or so years with one of leading banks here in Kenya. One day I try to wake up and I am completely swamped by fatigue, what most would call a burn out. I had just come out of a maternity leave having been blessed with two bundles of joy – the twins you see here.

That morning as I was reflecting on myself and where I was as an individual and new mother, I realized that indeed my career had platooned and growth for me was a foreign word. I had two choices, to get out of bed and drag myself to the office which I no longer was looking forward to or make the conscious decision to take a break from formal employment and raise my babies – I chose the latter!

As a young girl growing up on the slopes of the Aberdares, I always admired women who would wake up very early in the morning to ensure that their families were well tended to, my Mum included. Although home keepers in a rural setting, they all were keen on their looks with their beautiful natural hair all wound up, twisted or turned into different classy styles ready for the day.

Fast forward to 2018, I was in a hole having ran out of all my small savings. With two mouths to feed for, I had to look for ways to generate an income and sustain my household immediately.

I practically started Tetra Beauty and Cosmetics with zero capital at hand. A friend of mine had just opened up a beauty shop in Ruaka area of Kiambu County.  After sharing my plight with her (a difficult task), she agreed to hold my hand through my challenges by introducing me to the business of wigs and weaves. She was exceptionally kind to me ensuring that I well versed with the “how to’s” of everything in that business.

She went further and introduced me to a few of her own suppliers who would allow me to take pictures of their product offerings which I would then post on social media.

On getting an order from a client, I would request the supplier who we now had a relationship with to furnish me with the request. I would deliver to my clients and on payment, pay my supplier.

What motivates you to do what you do everyday?

My motivation everyday is to make the lives of the people around me better. My business gives me this opportunity since I ensure people look better through our product offerings, boosting their confidence as they go into their 8 to 5 jobs or businesses.

Who has been your biggest motivation to do what you do?

My babies have been my number one motivation. The fact also that I can help transform people’s lives through beauty products or just by training them everyday on how to use social media to their benefit also gives me purpose to do what I do.

What unseen opportunities do you see that may result in making your business a huge success?

I feel that I have not taken fully advantage of the immense power that is social media. There is still more to do in that space to maximise full potential of Tetra Beauty And Cosmetics as a business. I recently came across an article in a magazine somewhere that says over 4 billion people in the world now have access to the internet, I would love to tap into this huge market from the comfort of +254. 

What is your parting shot for those wishing to join the entrepreneurship train?

Fall in love with what you are doing.

How can clients reach your business?

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/Linahs-Beauty-2142007546126065/

Instagram : http://www.instagram.com/houseofbeauty419