Ann Mwai: Merging My Business With My Calling

Ann Mwai’s journey of entrepreneurship is a testament that it always seems impossible until it’s done. Ann Wairimu Mwai is the owner of Bama Diaspora Realty Limited, Access Enterprises Limited; a U.S based company, and a marketing manager and broadcaster at Diaspora Media Max (D Max), an online TV and Radio broadcast for the Kenyan Diaspora. She was born in Kanunga, Kiambu County, and grew up in different parts of Kenya since her father was a Civil Servant. It is through this experience that she attests that she can adapt to any new environment.

Ann does identify herself as a village girl at heart despite her many life achievements. After she finished her form four examinations in Mary Leakey, she went to work for her uncle who had opened a computer bureau. At the age of 18years, she started working in the bureau printing documents, doing assignments for college students, doing small graphics among others. When she went to pick her KCSE results, she already had a stable paycheck.

In 2001, she started her computer bureau in Kiambu town, where she worked from home. Her customers were mainly her friends, and college students from the Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology (KIST). Despite no educational background with the skills she acquired, Ann Mwai says this was made possible due to her thirst for knowledge and was determined to get a better life than what she had.

In two years, her business was booming and she was earning Ksh.50,000 a month. However, she got an opportunity to go to the U.S.A. She took the opportunity despite having a well-paying job and made the best out of the situation. Ann recalls that when she arrived it was a childlike beginning by relearning a language, having to know and follow a new system, and familiarizing yourself with new things. She worked day and night, to build capital and secure her stay within the new country.

“I didn’t take any vacations or take a day off, I worked from Monday to Monday for five years as a cashier in a gas station and would double up with other jobs,” she says.

Her mindset at this point was to change her life, she worked hard and saved. She covered for her colleagues as they went on vacations and added up her capital by being paid for overtime. In that spirit, she frequently sent money via Equity bank to help her family and her fellow villagers back at home. Contrary to the perception of others, Ann raising funds was not her love for money but her passion for people.

Ann, therefore, came back to Kenya after five years. However, she went back and has stayed there for 14years. Ann Mwai then began her entrepreneur journey in the U.S by opening Access Enterprises Limited which is a cleaning service business and also a truck business company. Business was so good that she could be able to travel more than twice a year.

“It took a lot of focus, discipline, and not doing many things to reach where I am today,” she says.

However, Ann says Bama Diaspora Realty was birthed from her desire to empower women. Ann says that she was inspired when she watched her mother doing business and also her grandmother. Before she left Kenya, at the age of 20, Ann chaired a small group for Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) in Muthama which constituted of her mother and her mother’s friends. Through this, she was able to take her skills into another Sacco she was a part of in the U.S.

The Sacco or the Chama named Kenya North America Diaspora Sacco (KNADS) was started and was focused on helping the Kenyan Diaspora to acquire and invest inland. Ann was a very active recruiter and became a super brand ambassador. She also served as one of their board members. Through this, she had to do a lot of research and due diligence to help the Sacco acquire lands in Kenya especially in Kiambu and Laikipia counties which led to her passion for real estate.

When she would come to Kenya, she would help countercheck lands for Kenyans living abroad who were afraid of being swindled. Kenyans would buy pieces of land at a very expensive price on a piece of land that has low market value or buy a piece of land in a location, not promised by the seller. The injustices Ann saw with Kenyan emigrants being lied to prompted her to action. In December 2019, Bama Diaspora Realty Limited was therefore birthed to help the Kenyan diaspora to purchase and invest in actual land and at the right market price.

“My calling merged with my business, my calling was helping Kenyans and investment was my DNA therefore real estate was just automatic,” she adds.

Today Bama Diaspora has 95% of their clientele living across the globe and the rest being Kenyan residents. The company stands out since its main priority is customer satisfaction. Anne Mwai says that business is giving clients value for their money.

As a female entrepreneur, Anne Mwai says it’s a challenge to venture into a male-dominated field especially in Kenya. However, she narrates that that should not deter any woman. Her advice for young entrepreneurs is to get the education that you require however if you are in a position not to like herself previously, she advises you to work.

“Start your business with what you have not what you love, if not, you will work for someone for the rest of your life! For there is power in the mind.” Anne says.

Anne advises that with what you have been ready to put in the hours and you will be able to empower people. Anne Mwai has been able to turn Bama Diaspora into a contender in the real estate diaspora market in a year. Her life story is a symbol of hope, faith, and determination.