I never really was one of those kids who knew exactly what she wanted to do.
A lot of people say, so, did you always want to be a fashion person?
Did you dream of being a designer?
And I'm like, no, never, I found a notebook from when I was around 12.
And I would, like, draw dresses and make clothing for
paper dolls, but all I really wanted to do was a job that would make a difference.
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My name is Wandia Gichuru, and I am the CEO and
co-founder of Vivo which is a ladies fashion brand based in Nairobi, Kenya.
What's special about us is that we design specifically for the modern African woman.
So taking into account our different body shapes and sizes,
our different skin tones, our different lifestyles, and style preferences.
When I started the business, I struggled because I didn't understand how it
could really translate to making a difference to anyone else.
In part of Africa, they're ready to wear clothing
space has been dominated by imports of product that was never designed for us.
>> A African woman, most of the time we'll get our clothes from second hand or
imports from Asia.
And normally, because they are not made for the African woman,
sometimes they can be unflattering.
>> If it fits the top half of your body, it might not fit the bottom half.
So, most people haven't
known what it feels like to wear something that was made with you and mine.
>> And it was the first time that I could see that building a significant business
in a country like ours, changing the narrative around what local product could
mean, and what difference I could make to multiple lives in many different ways.
I saw that for the first time, and I remember having goosebumps and
thinking, my God, I don't have to try and find another way to make a difference.
I can make a difference right here.
And I think it's more than just clothing and style.
It's about what makes you feel more confident, appreciated, or accepted.
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Right now we employ about 80 people, 70% of which are women.
I like to think that it is a good place to work.
We try hard,
no one works more than a five-day week, which in Kenya is not typical.
>> From my previous company, it was very difficult to
have work-life balance because I worked during the weekends.
And sometimes even during the holidays and long hours, but
with Vivo they prioritize their employees' work life balance.
>> We provide meals every day for everyone who works for us
>> Last year,
everyone was on health insurance.
Not yet their dependents, so maybe next year, if our company grows enough,
that would be the next stage.
>> When I get sick, I'm rushed to one of the hospitals around,
I get treated, come back.
I compare that with the place I was that wasn't there.
So, if you are sick you have to spend your cash for the treatments.
>> We are visited by fashion students, like, three or four times a year.
We invested in computer-aided pattern making software last year and
we had a bunch of students visit us last month.
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And they said, you know it's so good to see this because they've been teaching
us about it for three months, but only the theory.
Like no one has the software, so they just read about it and they watch YouTube
videos, but they're like we've finally have seen what it actually looks like.
>> Here we do new things, new designs everyday and that is a plus, to me.
If I compare when I came, and two years, now, I can say I've learned much.
>> I want to believe that Vivo products will be available
anywhere in the world that you wish to have them.
Sourced on the continent, made on the continent, but
with a global audience in mind.
And then, I want to spend a lot of my time trying to see how to support and
motivate and encourage and inspire the younger generation of women in business.
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What drives me for sure and hopefully the business as a whole is the opportunity
we have to inspire women, and change the way we see ourselves.
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