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One on one with the CEO of Changez Salon and Spa


 Washington Shamela Bityenyi at a studio in Nairobi

KENYA - Changez salon and spa  has been designed to cater for beauty services for both male and female. If you have messy hair, damaged skin or feel like having your feet and hands pampered, the exquisite salon which is located in Athi river, Daystar University will take care of you.

The classy and affordable beauty parlor is managed by 26-year- old Washington Shamela Bityenyi a graduate  from Kenyatta University (KU).

It is unusual to meet a young man who is in the salon business which is dominated by women. I asked him how he started his business. He said that his mother used to manage a salon when he was young, so he became interested in hair and beauty.

He grew up in a household where he did not lack basic needs.When life got tough his mother decided to look for a job by opening a grocery store and  that's when the business spirit was instilled into the family.

"I used to come home in the evening , I did not even get time to change my uniform, I went straight to help her with the store. Business was good and she supplied most of the household needs, I enjoyed selling tomatoes,chopping vegetables for customers, pealing potatoes and selling boiled githeri and beans'', he added.

As he grew older, Bityenyi joined a youth group as a garbage collector in his neighborhood and earned Ksh. 500 per week.He later worked for Thuo Engineering where his task was putting up water tanks for Ksh. 300 per day.

His love for beauty was obvious when he decided to enroll at Gorgeous Beauty College in Nairobi after high school in 2009.

After attending the beauty college he enrolled at KU in May 2011 at the school of agriculture for a Bachelors in Agriculture.

“I  enrolled for a bachelor of Science in agriculture , four years is a long time in campus so I had to look for something to keep me busy''. he said.

At first Washington’s drive and passion directed him to start his business at KU. But when a friend showed him where Daystar University was located , he saw a business opportunity.

Some of the challenges that Washington has faced includes accessing Daystar University from Nairobi , this led to  looking for a hostel that is closer to his business. He added that students do not wake up early, so he has to start his business at noon and close up late at night.

His beauty parlor also offers Mpesa services, equity services and he is also planning to bring in pre-paid electricity and Coop Kwa Jirani. According to him, business is booming and he is expecting more profit in the future.

Anything is possible if you have passion and you put your all into your business idea. According to Washington, “Fortune Favors the bold, high risks brings high returns”

He is also a peace activist who is advocating for the youth to live in harmony.

"I see people as friends, business partners and colleagues ,I never view anyone as from a certain tribe, lets preach peace, Kenya is ours",he said.

For booking and inquiries
0716449359



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