Catherine Mahugu: Difference between revisions
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== Life == |
== Life == |
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Mahugu was born in about 1988 and decided to study computer science because she wanted to be a [[Women in STEM fields|woman in STEM]]. Marketing and communications were seen as more appropriate subjects but she rejected them. Early in her software career she was involved with applications to help people find clean water and to help people with disabilities to read. She had worked with Stanford University students.<ref name=sm/> |
Mahugu was born in about 1988 and decided to study computer science because she wanted to be a [[Women in STEM fields|woman in STEM]]. Marketing and communications were seen as more appropriate subjects but she rejected them. Early in her software career she was involved with applications to help people find clean water and to help people with disabilities to read. She had worked with Stanford University students.<ref name=sm/> |
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[[File:Panel - UN Women-3 (45574036235).jpg|thumb|left|2018 Panel left to tight:[[Nnenna |
[[File:Panel - UN Women-3 (45574036235).jpg|thumb|left|2018 Panel left to tight:[[Nnenna Nwankanma]], [[Nancy Amunga]], Mahugu, [[Winny Chepkemoi]], A Tonili, [[Candace Nkoth Bisseck]], [[Isabelle Durant]], [[Zebib Kavuma]], ?, ?]] |
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She worked with Gwendolyn Floyd and Ella Peinovich to created an e-commerce site and app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kristina |title=Designer Spotlight: Soko Social Entrepreneurs Create Platform For Developing Nation Jewelry Artisans |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesstylefile/2016/08/11/designer-spotlight-soko-social-entrepreneurs-create-platform-for-developing-nation-jewelry-artisans/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> They had seen artisans spending a day in the Maasai market place trying to sell their creations for little or no return. They thought that they could improve on this business model.<ref name=sm/> The application they made allows users to sell their hand-crafted jewelery and to receive a share of the sale price.<ref name=bbc3030/> The problems were not just software and funding but also culture. The infrastructure required to deliver and collect goods and payment was not guarenteed or trusted in Kenya. The company had to emply people to bridge that gap and improve confidence in online selling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beekmans |first=Sarah |date=2019-01-22 |title=Catherine Mahugu the Founder of Soko {{!}} Horn Necklace |url=https://www.sarahbeekmans.com/catherine-mahugu/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Sarah Beekmans - Bali |language=en-US}}</ref> |
She worked with Gwendolyn Floyd and Ella Peinovich to created an e-commerce site and app.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Kristina |title=Designer Spotlight: Soko Social Entrepreneurs Create Platform For Developing Nation Jewelry Artisans |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesstylefile/2016/08/11/designer-spotlight-soko-social-entrepreneurs-create-platform-for-developing-nation-jewelry-artisans/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> They had seen artisans spending a day in the Maasai market place trying to sell their creations for little or no return. They thought that they could improve on this business model.<ref name=sm/> The application they made allows users to sell their hand-crafted jewelery and to receive a share of the sale price.<ref name=bbc3030/> The problems were not just software and funding but also culture. The infrastructure required to deliver and collect goods and payment was not guarenteed or trusted in Kenya. The company had to emply people to bridge that gap and improve confidence in online selling.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beekmans |first=Sarah |date=2019-01-22 |title=Catherine Mahugu the Founder of Soko {{!}} Horn Necklace |url=https://www.sarahbeekmans.com/catherine-mahugu/ |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=Sarah Beekmans - Bali |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:34, 27 April 2024
Catherine Mahugu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | c.1987 |
| Nationality | Kenya |
| Occupation | businessperson |
| Known for | supplier to consumer apps |
Catherine Mahugu (born c.1988) is a Kenyan entrepreneur who has receive wide recognition for the companies she has created to allow producers to seel their products direct to the consumer. Her first company, Soko, involved hand-made products like jewellery and her second company Chiswara sells Kenyan coffee. She has received several fellowships and she was included in the Forbes 30 under 30 and the BBC 100 Women lists.
Life
Mahugu was born in about 1988 and decided to study computer science because she wanted to be a woman in STEM. Marketing and communications were seen as more appropriate subjects but she rejected them. Early in her software career she was involved with applications to help people find clean water and to help people with disabilities to read. She had worked with Stanford University students.[1]
She worked with Gwendolyn Floyd and Ella Peinovich to created an e-commerce site and app.[2] They had seen artisans spending a day in the Maasai market place trying to sell their creations for little or no return. They thought that they could improve on this business model.[1] The application they made allows users to sell their hand-crafted jewelery and to receive a share of the sale price.[3] The problems were not just software and funding but also culture. The infrastructure required to deliver and collect goods and payment was not guarenteed or trusted in Kenya. The company had to emply people to bridge that gap and improve confidence in online selling.[4]
Mahugu made the 30 under 30 part of the BBC 100 women list in 2015.[3] Before the age of thirty, Mahugu, she was chosen to be in the Forbes 30 under 30 list. She believes this is due to setting herself no limits.[1]
In 2023, she was featured in UNCTAD's eighth World Investment Forum in Dubai. There she was talking about abother business called Chiswara which allows consumers to buy coffee from the people who make it.[5]
Speaking
Mahunga has received a number of fellowships and invitations to speak at events organised by the World Bank, the BBC, Harvard University, The Economist and The Financial Times.[5]
References
- ^ a b c Koech, Christine. "Wise women know they have no limits". Evewoman Magazine. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ Moore, Kristina. "Designer Spotlight: Soko Social Entrepreneurs Create Platform For Developing Nation Jewelry Artisans". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b "Catherine Mahugu, 27, Kenya". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ Beekmans, Sarah (2019-01-22). "Catherine Mahugu the Founder of Soko | Horn Necklace". Sarah Beekmans - Bali. Retrieved 2024-04-27.
- ^ a b "Ms. Catherine Mahugu | World Investment Forum". worldinvestmentforum.unctad.org. Retrieved 2024-04-27.