Everything you can imagine, you can create is the mantra that has seen Caroline Kibati create an influential blog Ms Kibati which recently secured 3^rd position for the best Fashion blog in Kenya; according to the prestigious BAKE Awards. Her blog has seen her carry out projects in conjunction with some of the leading international and local brands.

 

Caroline holds a Bachelor of Business and Information Technology and is currently pursuing her Diploma in Business Management (DBIM) at Strathmore University.

 

When did you start the blog and what was the inspiration behind it?

I started Ms Kibati, on 9^th December 2013 which also happens to be my birthday; and no, this was not a coincidence. This date arrangement was strategic because I am able to assess both my personal and my blog’s growth as I turn a year older.

 

 

The inspiration behind starting the blog was the fact that I needed source of distraction at the time. We live in a chaotic world and making time for the little things that create genuine happiness, give a certain level of calm and peace of mind; and for me this comes through my blog. However with time, I kept at it to help celebrate and encourage women to be proud of who they are no matter how different they look and feel. To embrace what makes each one of them different in a world that is tries to make all women look and act the same.

 

What is the blog all about and how did you come up with the name?

Ms Kibati is a fashion and lifestyle blog. It is a platform where I share my personal style and fashion tips to ladies especially on what is trending in the fashion world. Other than fashion, I incorporate posts on beauty, hair, gadget reviews and travel.

 

 

Ms Kibati is actually from my surname; most of my friends refer to me as Kibati so having my blog as Ms Kibati definitely made it easier for everyone to identify with it and with me.

Who are your target audience and why?

I target mainly ladies between age 17 and 30 years old. This is because I understand and relate more with ladies around that age bracket as am in that category to.

Your greatest achievement so far…

Ms Kibati as a brand has not only given me a voice to reach out to the youth, but has also enabled me to build networks through partnerships with top brands such as; Barclays bank Kenya, Jumia, Samsung, Microsoft, Lumia East Africa, Nakumatt, Paypal, Wambui Mukenyi, Hilton Hotel Nairobi just to mention a few. Working with these brands made my blog a success and more credible. It also helped build blog-readers’ confidence in me as a blogger, and that is an important attribute for me.

 

 

I have also been able to grow as a person, as well as in business. I was able to secure a nomination in one the most prestigious awards in Kenya, BAKE Awards. I came in 3rd in the best fashion blog in Kenya category, but the nomination itself was a win.  

Where do you see your blog in the next 5 to 10 years?

In five years, I would love to have increased my blogging skills to a level that will enable me to train others on how to do this; I think that as much as there are many bloggers out there, there are very few professionals at it. I love blogging, and I’ve found that I really enjoy mentoring the younger generation on ways to transform it into a business, so I would be thrilled to be able to combine the two – blogging and training or mentoring.

In the long run, I want my blog to become an internationally recognized voice in the fashion industry.

 

Outside the blog who is Caroline Kibati and what’s your family background?

Caroline Kibati is a young lady with a dream to inspire. My parents describe me as aggressive. Once I set my mind on something, I will do anything and everything to achieve it. Caroline is also a girl with a very accommodative personality. I love travelling and I enjoy reading a book every once in a while; currently reading ‘The Monk who sold His Ferrari’ I recommend it to all the dreamers out there!

I come from a small family of four; my father, mother and my little sister.

 

What is your education background?

I attended Moi Girls School Nairobi for my secondary Education. Afterwards, I joined Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) for my undergraduate studies where I pursued a degree in Business and Information Technology.

 

 

I am currently at Strathmore University pursuing a DBIM with the hopes of beginning my masters in 2016.

 

Why did you choose to study DBM?

Having been able to transform my blog into a money -making business in under a year, I figured it was important to gain the necessary professional skills that could come in handy in running my own business. The diploma would definitely equip me with the necessary skills.

 

What motivates you to want to accomplish success?

The fact that people have done it before. The fact that every single battle we are fighting be it school, careers, entrepreneurship, there is someone out there in the world who underwent the same thing and still made it through successfully. Why not me? This thought alone drives me to keep pushing myself!

 

Do you have a role model?

The Late Prof. Wangari Maathai is my role model. If there is one important lesson that I have learnt from her, is that it is okay for us as women to be the way we are, to view the way we are as strength and to be liberated from fear and from silence. Thus, my blog gives a voice; A voice to inspire.

 

 

We wish Caroline the best in her endeavors.