For Ms Mercy Kibe, running a successful business enterprise is not determined by the gender but hard work and determination.

To become the proprietor and founder of Radiance Academy, one of the top schools in Nakuru county, Ms Kibe had to take the risky entrepreneurial gamble and readiness to contend with the challenges.

A trained teacher by profession, Ms Kibe always toyed with the ambition of running a school.

The fear of failing saw her defer the idea for some time until in 2010.

With her savings she bought a parcel of land and constructed a few classroom structures that met the basic government requirements for starting a school.

The school that had a single stream hosted early childhood development learners as well as class one to seven pupils.

"Even though I struggled with paying the teachers’ salaries, I made them a priority," said Ms Kibe.

The fruits of her determination paid off in 2013 when they sat for the first KCPE exam and the school was ranked sixth in the county in its first attempt at the National examination.

The performance played a major role in marketing the school and over time it ranked among the most sought after institution by parents.

She dared again to expand the school to major levels and in line with the new curriculum, put up a magnificent fully equipped stand-alone junior high school.

The success in the education sector is one of the things Ms Kibe prides herself for as she single-handedly birthed the idea and nurtured it to fruition.

Furthermore, she has managed to beat the misconception that women cannot run a business enterprise successfully without the help of a man.

"I have realised that women can excel at any type of business as long as they believe in themselves," said Ms Kibe.

However, before the success Ms Kibe had to deal with some male staff who believed that men cannot be led by women, therefore showed contempt towards her.

"I had to be wise and act professionally. With time they accepted me and saw me as a director and not a woman," said Ms Kibe.

Her advice to women willing to venture into business is, "to believe in themselves fully".

opendajoseph@gmail.com

How Radiance academy was born

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Joseph Openda