Rynah by Rynah officially started operating in mid 2013 (on a balcony in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania) and oh my God what a journey it has been!
When I sent out a message to my friends that I was now a “fundi”, a friend of mine sent me a bunch of vitenges and told me to make what I wanted and she’d pay me end month! And that was my first ever order!
I started with making everything and anything kitenge, I’ve made staff uniform, I’ve made church choir uniform, I’ve made menswear, I’ve made kidswear, I’ve made office wear… Until 2017 when I decided I want to specialise in bridal and evening wear and got my first bride.
I have to admit that I did not anticipate all the ups and downs I’ve encountered and have had to deal with. Eh, nobody prepares you to run a business.
I had to ‘self learn’ EVERYTHING on the job. I still do. Youtube and Google have been my best professors.
Has it been easy? Some days yes, most days no.
Have I lost money? Definitely YES!
Have I revamped my CV sometimes ready to start job searching? YES and YES!
Have I disappointed clients? Definitely yes!
Have I made mistakes along the way? Definitely yes!
Have I quit 1001 times? YES AND YES AND YES!
I remember the first time something went wrong I went running to my best friend with tears that could fill a bucket. I wanted nothing more than to quit. My husband has also endured a fair share of ‘I quit, I can’t do this anymore’ messages. But the next morning, somehow I wake up with renewed strength and here I am, 10 years later (I relocated back home to Kenya in 2019 and started operations in February of 2020).
My husband and best friend have been the best and greatest support system, absolute angels who have done nothing but applaud me when I rise and pick me up when I fall. They have taught me, reprimanded me, encouraged me and pushed me further.
I know the story doesn’t end here and I am looking forward to the future because I know that God is in control.
But thus far at @rynahbyrynah and with @rynahbyrynah, God is Ebenezer.
God is not a man, so he does not lie.
He is not human, so he does not change his mind.
Has he ever spoken and failed to act?
Has he ever promised and not carried it through?
(Numbers 23:19, NLT)
