Stephanie Angela Wanjiku, Strathmore Uni student
Stephanie Angela Wanjiku Kimani is an ambitious entrepreneur and at just 23 she has had multiple achievements under her belt including owning her own thriving business. Stephanie will graduate with a Bachelor of Business Science in Financial Economics (BBS-FE). At the moment she is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) level 1 candidate set to sit for her exams in December 2015.
Stephanie is the only child of a caring and supportive mother; a Nairobi Lawyer who has been her best friend, her inspiration, her guide and her biggest ‘cheerleader’ in life. She has had a streak of exemplary performance in her academics earning her various awards and certificates. She completed her high school/college education at Braeburn College with an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma attaining a 6 point average grade out of the highest grade of 7. While at the college, Stephanie was awarded the “highest achievement award in year 13” (This included A levels and BTECH) and Howard Jones Chemistry Award.
Always keen on seizing opportunities available, Stephanie invested in the start of an entertainment business to enable her earn an income. “I started my business ‘BlaqSheek Entertainment’ in 2013 as I wanted to try my hand at entertainment through providing entertainment equipments such as PA systems. This enabled me to earn some extra cash while I am still studying”. With the finance support from her mother the business tremendously picked up earning her at least 5 clients per month.
At Strathmore, she was the Organizing Secretary for SUFFESA (Strathmore University Finance and Financial Economics Students’ Association) where she oversaw planning for all the events that SUFFESA had. This included: all the talks, team building activities and partnerships that were conducted in the year 2013/2014. She was also the Organizing Chair for the SFAE (School of Finance and Applied Economics) Graduating Class of 2015 dinner held in December 2014.
Striking a balance between her studies, running a business, and extra curriculum activities, was tough at first but with determination she managed. “I had such a passion and drive for what I did”, explains Stephanie. “I was able to balance it well without compromising on either one”. She clarifies that learning to juggle all the activities actually improved her academic performance. Her drive comes from wanting to be the best that she can be in life; she accredits her drive to her mother because without her encouragement, love and support she believes she would not have achieved this much. Her desire is to be like her mother, being able to achieve much more than she did.
Stephanie has a passion for mentorship and is avid on society development. Her mentor, Ms. Ann Njuguna, has helped her understand professional life and how to be the best at it, as well as guide her on life in general. Borrowing from her mentorship skills, Stephanie learnt to mentor two high school students in both academics and life. She also took to sponsoring their high school fees and the two are in their fourth year of high school waiting to sit for their KCSE national examination later this year.
She is also the Charter President of the Rotaract Club of Nairobi – Muthaiga North which is part of Rotary International. The club primarily focuses on the professional development of its members undertaking numerous community service projects in Kenya. Through the Rotary Foundation, Stephanie became a Paul Harris Fellow which is a recognition given to those who contribute to the Rotary Foundation.
“I am quite ambitious and all that I do is motivated by being the best that I can be”, explained Stephanie. Professionally, she wants to head a wealth management or private equity fund; to help people make better financial and investment decisions. Spiritually, she wants to continue her journey with God, getting closer to spiritual actualization.
Family is also something she holds close to her heart and plans to start her own when the right time comes.
