T5: With Sharon Wendo

1. Did you learn your trade in school? Is creativity a gift or can it be nurtured?
I did not learn designing in school. I was taught basic beading skills while on internship at a government programme called the Kenya Youth Empowerment Project. Creativity can be both. It can be nurtured, and you can also be born with it. It just depends on the individual’s nature, passion and self-drive. In my case, I nurtured and built on the skills I was taught.

2. Tell us a little about the Creatives DNA programme
I just finished the project and I had an amazing experience. Most creatives focus only on their creative sides while neglecting the business side of things. Through the programme, I got to learn so much about my business, and it was so tailored that I got to implement all that I learnt. We even had one-on-one sessions with mentors and experts and to top it all off, we had an opportunity to win a grant – in the middle of a pandemic! That had a huge impact on my business. I managed to release my first collection and open a website.

3. When you started, how far did you think you could go?
Honestly, I did not think I would get to where I am today. I had such a hard start that I thought I would never make it big. So, seeing my work being covered in the media and people actually loving and wearing my pieces is very encouraging. It is an indication of how much I have accomplished, how far I have come and how much potential I still have.

4. Many say that being in the creative industry is harder than holding an eight-to-five job. Do you agree?
Absolutely. When it comes to building your own business, there is no off switch. You have to do it every day because you’re building your own brand. You have to work 10 times harder. You don’t have the safety of a salary, so you end up working very long hours, especially if you are running a small business where you have to do everything by yourself – accounting, social media management, creative directing and even production! But if you are passionate and believe in your vision, you will put in the work necessary to actualise your plans.

5. What’s your plan for Epica in 2021?
I believe there is so much potential for growth for small businesses, especially if you take advantage of social media. I have so many plans for Epica. I want to employ more people and to get to a point where I can equip others with the skills necessary to start their own businesses. I also want to get partners in other countries so that we grow internationally. My other plan is to own a physical store.