Eva Muraya is a serial entrepreneur who is a brand innovator known for her branding and communication expertise. She is the founder and CEO of BSD (Brand Strategy Design) Limited.
She has also taken a front row seat in fighting for gender inclusivity as she believes that women can also build and run successful companies. She co-founded Kenya Association of Women Business Owners (KAWBO).
Here is her story as told by WoK.
Background
The CEO’s family are mostly employees. She broke free of the mould by choosing entrepreneurship.
The late Richard Njoroge, her grandfather, worked as a messenger for the British High Commissioner and as a waiter at Norfolk Hotel. He made sure that all his children got an education.
Career
From 1994 to 2001, she served as the regional sales and marketing manager for Fed-Ex East Africa Courier Limited.
Entrepreneurship
In 2001, she plunged into the world of entrepreneurship and co-founded Color Creations Limited. She helped steer the company into growth even spreading to Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda.
The company, which employed 130 permanent workers at the height of its success, became the first advertising firm in Sub Saharan Africa to receive the ISO 9001 quality standard Certification.
The entrepreneur founded BSD in 2010 which gave birth to Whiteboard Advertising Limited, Avid Public Relations Limited and Brandquad Africa.
The latter is a consultancy used to share knowledge, offer training and focus on talent development. It has over the years worked with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, public and private organizations by offering communication support and business and brand advisory.
The business initially began with one employee whom she would strategize with and deal with clients at her home. They then expanded to five staff members then more than 40.
According to Eva Muraya, women are great contributors to the GDP of the country. She, therefore, advocates for women to participate in the economy at all levels.
Her company has specialized in women markets by looking at things like what drives their consumer choices hence championing for the Top 100 Most Loved Brands by Women.
Education
The Alliance High School graduate pursued a Bachelor Degree in journalism and Marketing at the United States International University.
She also has a diploma in marketing, advertising, public relations, sales and marketing from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and an advanced management certificate from Strathmore Business School.
Awards and memberships
Her awards include:
- The Eve Woman of the Year 2007
- The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) World of Difference 100 Award
- 2007 Marketing Society of Kenya Warrior Award
- 2008 Goldman Sachs Fortune Global Leaders Award
The professional has also served as:
- Chair of Zawadi Africa Educational Program
- Board member at Nairobi Women’s Hospital
- Board member at KEPSA (Kenya Private Sector Alliance)