Naomi Wairimu Ogutu is an entrepreneur running a high end tour company in New York City.
In an interview with Lynn Ngugi, the entrepreneur disclosed that she moved to the United States in 2012 alongside her ex-husband and their children.
Despite most immigrants facing hostility after moving to a new country, Wairimu noted that their reception was nothing but warm.
“I was not hosted by anyone, we just landed in the US, we ended up in a hotel and started living the life there, we didn’t even have papers. However, in a very short time, we were able to get papers and start living there,” she shared.
Wairimu first worked at a Chinese retail shop before getting a job as a System Administrator after she got her degree certified.
“I worked at an electricity company in subsurface construction where I worked with the crew that was going out taking care of power lines and removing blockages from the subway system,” she shared.
After a while, Wairimu started having issues with her husband, forcing her to get a restraining order for him at some point.
The husband was given a two-year restraining order while Wairimu won the full custody of their children.
Come 2020, Wairimu incorporated Naomi Cars, offering sightseeing tours, group tours and ground transportation within New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
“I got funding and my customer base has grown; in fact, I have handled more than 1,000 clients,” she stated.
Wairimu also noted that she has plans to expand her sightseeing business by acquiring two boats which will sail on the Hudson River.
“I’m buying two boats for the Statue of Liberty; the lower deck is going to be for sightseeing, the middle deck will have a lounge, a bar and restaurant, and the top deck will be for premium sightseeing,” she explained.
Before venturing into business, Wairimu was involved in the Uber business but it later became saturated, forcing her out.
“Uber was good when I joined then it bevame oversaturated because everybody started driving them. What happens when its saturated, it’s the same market but different cars, so the income started dwindling,” she explained.
However, despite leaving the industry, Wairimu noted that she currently does advocacy work for Uber drivers in New York City under the umbrella, NYC Red Share Club.
“I have 8,000 Uber drivers; I do advocacy which includes negotiating with the City,” she said.
