For many university students, earning a degree is challenging enough. Between lectures, assignments, exams, and campus life, finding time to pursue anything else can seem impossible. For Nasalin Wanjira, however, curiosity sparked something unexpected. What began as a simple interest in learning a new skill has grown into a thriving small business that is helping her earn an income, develop entrepreneurial skills, and build confidence for the future.
Nasalin, a fourth-year Psychology student at Multimedia University, never imagined that learning how to make liquid soap would become part of her journey: “It started as something I wanted to learn for fun,” she recalls. “I was curious about how detergents are made, and I thought it would be interesting to try it myself.”
With no formal training, Nasalin turned to YouTube tutorials and advice from detergent suppliers. She spent hours researching, experimenting, and learning the science behind cleaning products. The process was not always smooth. “My first attempts were not perfect,” she says with a laugh. “Some batches did not turn out the way I expected, but I kept trying because I knew every mistake was teaching me something.”
That willingness to learn became the foundation of her success. Over time, her products improved. Friends began asking for samples and offering feedback. What started as a personal project soon caught the attention of potential customers. Seeing the demand, Nasalin realized she had an opportunity.
Today, she produces and sells a variety of household cleaning products, including multipurpose liquid soap, bleaching agents, shampoos, hand wash, and toilet cleaners. She personally handles everything from production and packaging to marketing and delivery.
Her customer base consists largely of fellow university students, many of whom appreciate the quality of her products and the convenience of having them delivered directly to their hostels and residences.
Building a business from scratch was not easy. Like many entrepreneurs, Nasalin had to start with people who already believed in her. “My friends became my first customers,” she explains. “They bought the products, gave me honest feedback, and recommended me to other people. They helped me build confidence in what I was doing.”
Through word-of-mouth referrals, social media marketing, and a commitment to quality, her business gradually gained momentum. Beyond the income it generates, the venture has taught her lessons that cannot be found in a classroom.
Running a business has strengthened her communication skills, improved her financial discipline, and taught her how to plan ahead and solve problems creatively. It has also shown her the importance of consistency and customer service.
“Entrepreneurship has taught me responsibility,” Nasalin says. “When customers trust your product, you have to deliver quality every time. That has made me more disciplined in many areas of my life.”
As a Psychology student, she has also found that understanding people helps her build stronger relationships with customers. Listening to feedback, understanding needs, and creating positive experiences have become important parts of growing her brand.
What makes Nasalin’s business stand out is her commitment to producing quality products at affordable prices while offering convenient delivery services. She understands the needs of students because she is one herself.
As graduation approaches, she is already thinking about the future. While she looks forward to pursuing opportunities related to her degree, she also hopes to continue expanding her business and exploring new products and markets.
For Nasalin, the journey has been about much more than making soap. It has been about discovering what is possible when curiosity meets action. Her story is testament that opportunities do not always arrive fully formed. Sometimes they begin with a simple question, a willingness to learn, and the courage to keep going even when the first attempt fails.
“I’ve learned that you don’t have to wait until you graduate to start building your future,” she says. “You can start with what you have, learn as you go, and grow from there.”
From a curious student watching online tutorials to a young entrepreneur serving customers across campus, Nasalin is proving that small beginnings can lead to remarkable outcomes.