Grace Mwende is a Nairobi-based entrepreneur who began her journey after completing her degree at the University of Nairobi.
However, her path to success wasn’t straightforward.
She initially enrolled at the university with dreams of studying architecture, but her lower-than-expected marks led her to geology instead.
Uncertain about her future in this unfamiliar field, Mwende found herself questioning the relevance of her studies during her first and second years.
“In my first and second year we did general geology and I kept wondering what I am going to do with this course. And then I was made the Nairobi University Geology Student Association magazine editor which gave me the opportunity to interact with lecturers in various geology specialties like hydrology,” she recalled.
While working on an edition of the magazine, she asked a gemstone specialist if she could photograph some precious stones for publication.
The way the gems sparkled under the light captured her imagination and sparked her interest in gemstones.
Encouraged by her lecturer, Mwende decided to specialize in gemstones during her final two years of study.
This decision required her to go the extra mile, conducting research and networking extensively to understand the local gemstone market.
Her dedication soon caught the attention of Majala Mlagui, a partner in the University of Nairobi’s Department of Physical Sciences and an industry veteran.
Mlagui became her mentor, guiding her deeper into the gemstone sector and sharing her experience.
One eye-opening moment came during her visit to the Arusha international gem fair in April 2016.
“The things I saw at the fair amazed me. It was a whole big building full of gemstones on display — diamonds, tsavorites and sapphires. Even stones I didn’t know existed were there.”
This experience marked a turning point in her career and set her on a path into the gemstone industry.
Her venture, Vavani, focuses on crafting jewelry including rings, necklaces, and pendants.
She started the business with limited capital and faced numerous obstacles along the way.
“I didn’t start my business with a million shillings. I was running it from my pocket. I was still learning and made a number of mistakes that did not help the business,” she said.
Despite months of struggle, her determination kept her going.
A breakthrough came when she joined The Association of Women in Energy and Extractives in Kenya (AWEIK).
An invitation to a local gem fair through the association proved to be a game-changer.
Although she initially had nothing to display at her booth, the event marked a turning point for her business.
She connected with a gem cutter and businessman Kennedy Kamwathi, who played a key role in transforming her business.
With his guidance, she built a strong network, found reliable suppliers, and improved gemstone cutting processes.
Her business began to grow, leading her to open a shop on Ngong Road in 2017.
However, the shop closed after six months due to its location and her limited experience.
Despite this setback, she continued to push forward.
She later changed her strategy by outsourcing services and focusing on selling jewelry through social media, especially Instagram.
Sponsored ads helped her grow her audience and attract customers, including well-known clients.
This shift marked a major turning point, and her business started to thrive.
Today, Vavani is a flourishing jewelry brand known for quality and craftsmanship.
Mwende continues to educate people on investing in precious metals and gemstones.
“People are not spending on jewelry because they don’t understand the market. Gold, for instance, is a form of currency. You can resell it later and make a profit because it keeps appreciating, especially with inflation. It is a store of wealth,” she said.