Everything in life has a beginning, for an example, planting a tree starts with a seed that is sown then nurtured to become a grand tree that will produce fruits for many to enjoy.
This is the same philosophy that many self- made successful business people live by. One such success story is an extraordinary woman in Kenya who has risen from the dumps, literally, to empower others through her business.
Lorna Rutto is a young African businesswoman who used all the experience she gained during her career in the waste recycling business to start her own business in this male dominated field.
Born in Nakuru, Kenya, she holds a B.com degree in Accounting from a Kenyan university, from where she nurtured her leadership capabilities. While at the varsity she was elected as the first student council president.
Her post varsity days saw her landing a job in the financial sector. Later she resigned in order to pursue another career in business management under recycling.
The idea to start her own company was inspired by her innate need to create jobs for people living in dire poverty in the marginalized communities and to show that women can do anything a man can do and maybe even do it better!
She has been a recipient of various international awards for providing exceptional and exemplary community service through her social enterprise.
In 2010, Lorna applied for and won a $6,000 Award and used it to start her business which is called EcoPost. She was also granted an award of $12,700 from the Enablis Energy Globe-Safaricom Foundation.
EcoPost recycles plastic waste to manufacture plastic posts and lumber for various applications such as road signage, fencing, building and constructing support beams, floor boards and green house beams and much more.
This is aimed at conservation of forests by replacing timber for alternative materials.
Lorna is one of the first women to be featured in the elite Forbes List among the 20 Youngest Power Women in Africa. In 2013, she was nominated by the Guardian Newspaper readers among the Africa’s top women achievers.
Attracting investments is a great way to grow a business. That is true!
She attracted an equity investment from the Blue Haven Initiative and the Opus Foundation amounting to $500,000, whereby the money was used to purchase the necessary advanced recycling equipment.
Women like Lorna are a shining example for other African women that should be applauded and respected in the world.
EcoPost has created jobs for hundreds of people in Kenya and 100,000 new positions are expected to be created in the next 15 years.
You too have a seed within you that can be sown to empower others in your country. It starts by laying the right foundation.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” Nelson Mandela.
Botho University has a faculty of business and accounting, similar to what Lorna studied before pursuing her business management degree which empowered her to succeed in her recycling business.
Start growing your seed today and register today for either a BSc (Hons) in Accounting or a Business Management degree with BU online.
