Mary Gatumia
My name is Mary, I was born in Kenya, where I lived most of my life. In 2010, I began traveling to Portugal in search of new opportunities, as my business in Kenya was not doing well. In 2013, after several visits, I decided to stay permanently in Portugal with my family. It was a tough transition, full of challenges, particularly financial ones, including the cost of the journey and initial expenses. However, the free education in Portugal was a major attraction, as in Kenya, this represented a significant financial burden.
The biggest obstacle I faced was adapting to the Portuguese market. In Kenya, my business methods were very traditional, but in Portugal, everything operates online, an area in which I had neither experience nor resources to adapt to this new reality. Additionally, the language barrier was a major challenge, as I did not speak Portuguese. I was fortunate to have the support of my children, who quickly integrated into school and began speaking the language fluently. Over time, I sought and found other solutions. I met people who helped me better understand the market and integrate digital platforms into my business, making my work more accessible.
Art has always been a part of my life; since childhood, I have been surrounded by it. My father painted, and my mother made handmade jewelry. However, my vision for my business was entirely self-developed. They didn’t create art for profit; what they made was given away, shared with others. It was only as I grew up and recognized the value of their creations that I began thinking about how to turn art into a business. That’s how I began my journey as an entrepreneur with my project, Marsun, deeply rooted in Kenya’s artistic tradition. Today, I create authentic, handmade products that have a story to tell. What motivates me most is being able to teach others, many of them migrants, how to create and sell their own pieces of art. For me, art is more than just a means of livelihood; it is a way to share African culture in Portugal.
Mastering the online space has been a challenge, but I believe that the digital world can open many doors for my business, and I am determined to learn how to navigate it. People often tell me, “Mary, you have great products. If you have good photos online, you’ll see that people will come to you.” MourariUP has been essential for me in this regard: it has helped me overcome my shyness and provided me with tools to start planning and managing my business. I want to continue growing; I want to create a better future for both myself and my community. It’s not easy, especially as I work alone without a team to support me, but I know that with perseverance, I can achieve my goals.
I dream of the day when I can open a space where I can teach others to create their own pieces. I want to develop a family business where, one day, my children can continue this artistic and educational work, carrying forward what I have started.
