I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, where finding creative outlets was a constant part of my childhood. Whether I was painting, drawing, or building things with my hands, I was always creating. When it came time to choose a career, I pursued a degree in Communications and Advertising at Daystar University. It was a natural fit for my creative mind, though I had no idea it would ultimately lead me into the world of interior design.

One university assignment changed everything. The brief was simple: find a product used in the home and develop a brand and marketing strategy around it. Instead of selecting an existing product, I decided to design and build my own: a lamp.

When the project was complete, my professor purchased it. Then a friend bought one. Then another. What began as a class assignment became something more. A spark had been lit.

After graduation, I worked in advertising, a career I genuinely enjoyed. Yet during lunch breaks, evenings, and weekends, I continued designing, building, and selling lamps whenever I could. Before long, my passion project was demanding more of my attention than my day job.

Eventually, I made the leap and founded my first design studio, Poles Apart. Working alongside talented artisans and makers throughout Kenya, I designed handcrafted furnishings for homes, hotels, and safari lodges. Those years taught me the value of craftsmanship, collaboration, and creating pieces with meaning and purpose.