Across Kenya, women led microbusinesses often face barriers to growth – from limited access to finance to low digital literacy. Bridging this gap is essential for building sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic development.

From hairdresser to salon owner
Florence Omollo, a single mother from the informal settlement, Kibera, in Nairobi, began her working life as an assistant in a local hair salon. Soon, clients were seeking her out directly and so she decided to start her own business – now known as Be Smart Salon.
She started small, offering just blow dries and hair braiding but, with limited knowledge of how to run a business or access to the credit she needed to expand, it did not flourish. Customers even had to bring their own hair braids.

Learning to think digitally

In April 2025, Florence joined Hand in Hand where she gained essential skills in business growth planning, management, branding, and customer engagement. She learned how to record income and expenses, including to allow for her salary so that she did not ‘tap income that was going somewhere else.’

Crucially, Florence also embraced digital marketing, signing up on WhatsApp Business and TikTok. Initially, Florence had thought that digital marketing was only for big, professional salons and she really didn’t think that people from ‘high end’ areas would visit a hair salon in Kibera. But, with the help of her Hand in Hand business trainer, she learned how to create professional posts and the results were immediate – new customers began visiting her salon and she has even started offering home visits to meet the rising demand.

Expanding her services
With her increased turnover and confidence, Florence has expanded her services to include nail care, employing another woman to meet customer demand. She now ensures the salon stocks all necessary products, so clients no longer need to bring their own supplies.

By summer 2025 Florence’s monthly revenue had already grown from $675 to $788 and she’s decided to save the first $2 she earns each day. After completing her training, she even felt confident enough to take a commercial loan, investing the funds directly into her business to support further growth.

A new level of independence
Florence’s business success has transformed her family life. She supports her daughter and granddaughter, pays her daughter’s college fees and can now afford outings for the three of them “to the park and to have something to eat.” She is also able to visit her parents her parents in Kisumu more than once a year – an eight hour trip she can now afford to make regularly.
“Now I can pay for things for my granddaughter that I could not for my daughter,” Florence says. “I never thought people from outside Kibera would come to my salon, but they do.”

"I have become a symbol of resilience and creativity in my community" Gaudensia, Fashion Entrepreneur, Tanzania