How Robert Kitunyi Moved From Being a Second Hands Clothes to Creating an Apparel Design Empire

ROBERT KITUNYI aka ROBADESIGNER, 30 borrowed sh.3000 to buy and to hawk mitumba clothes at Gikomba market. With determination, focus and resilience, he managed to set up his own apparel design empire from where he earns over sh.200000 monthly while also supporting several families. He shared his inspiration story to SILAS NYAMWEYA.

Briefly introduce yourself

I was born and raised in Kayole. I am the founder of RobaDesign Collections, and with my dedication and resilience, I have been able to record some level of success owing several boutiques across Easlands. I am also a family man with a beautiful wife and kids.

Many people don’t know that you started from a humble background, can you enlighten us about your journey?

Yes to be truthful, I didn’t start where I am currently. I started this journey around 15 years ago at Gikomba. Being fresh from school, that was in 2009, I badly needed something to keep me going and so I borrowed sh3000 to start hawking mitumba around Gikomba market. I used to save little by little from what I used to make and with time I got some money and I advanced to selling shoes.

Eventually, that is in 2017, I was able to set up a men’s boutique under the brand, Robadesign Collection. With dedication, resilience and great effort, I added more shops have grown and now I have over 5 shops around Eastlands. I thank God that it is not only sustaining my bills but those of many other families who are working in my business.

How exactly has your journey been, was it always smooth?

Not really, like any other businesses I encountered numerous challenges but which did not keep me down. Among these is the Covid-19 pandemic which forced me to scale down to the extent of closing some of my shops and dismissing my workers. There was a time my main shop was vandalized, leaving me almost traumatized. It was a low moment for me but I didn’t lose hope, I organized mysel, restocked and went on with business. I am sincerely glad that my resilience and with the help of God, I was able to thrive in the industry.

The high competition in the industry is something that is affecting my revenue currently but I have learnt to stay unique by focusing on a specific category/niche. In this case, my focus is dressing artists, celebrities, influencers and I have been able to keep a number of them.

…and why did you move from mitumba to new collections?

I realized that when customers wanted specific clothes or apparel with specific designs and features, it was easier to get new ones compared to looking for mitumba. Besides, prices for mitumba have also shot up over the years, making profitability low.

This explains why I shifted my focus to new designs, catering for specific clients, in this case men.

Where do you get your designs from and how do you get clients?

We get them locally but others we combine efforts and resources with fellow business people to import them from such countries as China, Uganda, Tanzania among others. Once we have ordered and the cargo arrives, we distribute the share to everyone who contributed.

As for clients, we get the walk in ones, and also from social media. We are available on platforms such as Tiktok, Facebook, and Instagram under the name: Robadesigns.

So how much do you make in a good month?

Currently I thank God for the grace as I make between sh.100000 to sh.200000 profit in my business.

Following your inspiration story, that is from a humble start to being a success story, what would tell Kenyan youth on matters making wealth?

From my story, I used to involve myself with wrong groups and criminal elements but then, I realized those involvements are not adding any value to myself. I called myself to a meeting and resolved to engage in productive endeavors. With determination and focus, I thank God that my efforts have finally paid off. Therefore, I will certainly tell the Kenyan youth wajitume and to use the opportunities at their disposal to earn a living.

Another important thing is for people to have a saving culture. If you have somewhere you earn from, you need to save something which could certainly enable you to do something bigger. This is what really helped me to reach this level.