In the bustling halls of Egerton University, amidst the pursuit of a degree in biochemistry, Fiona Sampeyian was making a name for herself.
Known affectionately as ‘Mama Fua’ by her college mates, Fiona exhibited entrepreneurial prowess that set her apart.
While her peers were engrossed in textbooks, Fiona was busy hand-washing clothes for her fellow students, a skill that would shape her destiny in remarkable ways.
Her journey began in 2014 when the moniker ‘Mama Fua’ became a symbol of her dedication and hard work.
She didn’t merely wash clothes; she provided a service that resonated with her clients, a service born out of necessity.
“This is a story of a dream come true turned reality through the power of love, unity and family. In 2014, while in campus, I would clean people’s clothes to raise my tuition fee, which challenged me to start my own company for laundry solution,”
While others might have faltered under the weight of academic pressure, Fiona thrived.
She charged Ksh 200 forward, washing clothes on weekdays, carefully managing her time to avoid conflicts over shared spaces on weekends.
Her resilience paid off, earning her not just money but respect and trust among her clientele.
In the arduous process of cleaning clothes and ensuring they were dry before returning them, Fiona envisioned more than just a service; she saw a business opportunity.
Her dream crystallized into reality after her graduation in 2017.
Armed with savings totaling Ksh47,000, a sum she and her husband had diligently saved, Fiona embarked on her entrepreneurial journey. Abbey Laundry was born.
“We have had good moments where clients have trusted us over the years and been able to deliver. The challenge that set us back was on cold days where clothes failed to dry, and clients needed them,” she says.
Recognizing the need for innovation, Fiona invested in a commercial dryer, a game-changer that allowed her to offer same-day service, a feat that set her apart in the industry.
But Fiona didn’t stop there; she diversified her services, delving into the soap-making business, complementing her laundry services and adding significant value to her offerings.
Fiona’s success story is not just about her ability to adapt but also her understanding of the market’s pulse.
She embraced the digital age, leveraging social media and digital marketing to expand her business horizons. Her mantra became clear: learning to show up in life.
This philosophy led her to enhance her communication skills, ensuring she could handle her expanding customer base with professionalism and finesse.
Today, Fiona Sampeyian has employed five people, her business processes around 20 orders of duvets daily, with demand often overflowing into the next day during peak periods.
