How Leah Wambui Rose From The Position A Receptionist To Owning Ksh.17M Worth Real Estate Firm.

 

For many people, failure to pursue further education is a matter that has the potential to negatively affect their lives.

However, Leah Wambui seems to have turned the pain of missing out on university education due to financial constraints into establishing herself in the real estate venture.

She is the current CEO of Cheriez Properties Limited located in Kitengela. The firm boasts of 200 houses each valued at ksh17 million.

When she was 16, she lost her mother and this forced her to stay with her aunt. She helped her in managing her shop especially during the holidays.

Wambui owes her business success to sheer hard work, patience and mentorship from her maternal aunt who was successfully operating a business in Mombasa.

“Even when I was a little girl, I always wanted to be like her. I admired that she would travel the world and she looked nice and had nice things,” Wambui told a popular YouTube channel.

At one point, she thought of starting a wines and spirits business and reached out for financial help from her aunt.

“I talked to my auntie, I said I wanted to start something like what she was doing. I wanted to start out in Nairobi but the amount of money that she could get was only enough to start out in Kiambu,” says Wambui.

Her business was successful and she even managed to save part of the profits in table banking groups popularly known as chamas. Her burning ambition to grow forced her to borrow a car in a move to spread the business tentacles to nearby towns and maximize on profits.

In 2009, she bought 8 acres of land in Kitengela after selling their house, shares and topping up the money with savings. Wambui found new ambition  to invest in real estate.

At the start, she sank a borehole and constructed the boundary wall. By the end of 2015, she had set up 10 houses and planned to sell each at 17 million.

However, what was an ambitious project turned to be more stressful as potential buyers would visit the site, ask her countless questions then leave never to return.

“We had our first show house and we invited people to come. I thought that the moment we had the show house we would get clients. I got into a rude shock. People came – and the questions that followed; are you an architect? Are you an interior designer? How many projects have you done?” she recalls.

She resorted to marketing the houses internationally, but she still couldn’t get the first buyer until the end of 2016 when two customers came in. Wambui, a deeply religious woman owes success to her prayerful tendency.

By the end of 2017, she had received enough money to expand her real estate venture and built more houses. Her first project named ‘Royal Finesse Homes’ with 78 houses was fully sold out by 2020.

Wambui successfully rolled out the second housing project, a gated community home with 78 four-bedroomed houses each with a detached SQ, private garden and fully fitted kitchen. Additionally, the gated community has swimming pools, equipped gyms and kids playing area.

She attributes her fruitful venture to prioritising quality and paying attention to the smallest of details and researching more on what the market wants.

“Our products sell for themselves, we go over and beyond and make sure that we have cut out a niche in the way we deliver our products. We try to wear the shoes of the person who is going to buy and live here,” she says.

How To Achieve Financial Freedom In 2023

Each individuals dream is to achieve financial freedom. We do business and work day and night in order to make ends meet and save for the future. No one wants to work throughout his lifespan and at the end die poor. Here are some of the things one can adhere to in order to achieve financial freedom. 

1. Budgeting and expense tracking: Start by creating a budget that tracks your income and expenses and stick to it. 

2. Reduce debt: Focus on paying off high-interest debt like credit card balances, personal loans, etc.

3. Save and invest: Regularly save a portion of your income and invest in a diversified portfolio of assets such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. 

4. Increase income: Look for ways to increase your income through side hustles, career advancement, or asking for a raise. 

5. Avoid lifestyle inflation: Be mindful of how your spending habits change as your income grows and resist the urge to upgrade your lifestyle accordingly. 

6. Plan for the future: Make a plan for long-term financial goals such as retirement, saving for a down payment on a house, etc. 

7. Seek professional advice: Consider working with a financial advisor to help you make informed decisions about your finances and investments.

8. Stay disciplined: Financial freedom takes time and discipline. Avoid making impulsive financial decisions and stick to your long-term plan. 

9. Educate yourself: Stay informed about personal finance, investing, and economic trends. This will help you make better financial decisions and achieve your goals faster. 

10. Live within your means: Avoid overspending and live within your means. This will help you save more and reduce debt. 

11. Be mindful of taxes: Make sure you understand the tax implications of your financial decisions. This includes taking advantage of tax-advantaged investment accounts and knowing the tax consequences of withdrawing money early. 

12. Automate your finances: Automating your finances by setting up recurring transfers to savings and investment accounts can help you stay disciplined and reach your goals faster. 

13. Diversify your investments: Diversification is key to reducing risk in your investment portfolio. Consider investing in a mix of assets, such as stocks, bonds, real estate, and commodities. 

14. Re-evaluate your plan regularly: As your life changes, your financial goals and needs may change too. Regularly re-evaluate your plan and make adjustments as necessary.

15. Be mindful of fees: Be aware of the fees associated with investments, bank accounts, and financial products. High fees can eat away at your returns and slow down your progress towards financial freedom. 

16. Take calculated risks: While it's important to be cautious with your finances, taking calculated risks can also help you grow your wealth. Consider investments that have the potential for higher returns, but be sure to do your research and understand the risks involved. 

17. Practice mindfulness: Financial stress can be a major roadblock on the path to financial freedom. Practicing mindfulness and managing stress can help you make better financial decisions and stick to your plan. 

18. Seek help if needed: If you're struggling with debt or have complex financial questions, seek help from a professional. A financial advisor or credit counselor can provide guidance and support to help you reach your goals. Remember, financial freedom is not achieved overnight and requires consistent effort over time. Stay focused on your goals and make smart financial decisions to reach your desired level of financial security.