They are the “silent” beneficiaries of the World Rally Championship Safari Rally’s economic trickle-down effect, quite literally.
Event service providers, who have in the past reaped big from the global competition coming to Nakuru County, are rubbing their hands with glee yet again as this month’s third round of the World Rally Championship beckons.
The WRC Safari Rally, the third round on the global circuit,after Toyota Gazoo-dominated season-opening races in Monte Carlo and Sweden, will run in Nairobi and Nakuru counties from March 20 to 23.
And with the limelight on bigger beneficiaries in the hospitality industry, those in the beauty business, including barber shop and beauty parlour operators, are readying themselves to cash in on the spillovers of the global rally series.
Puravidasports.africa caught up with proprietor of Lavender Five Star Barber Shop and Spa, Ruth Wanjiru, who shared insights into how they hope to capitalize on the event, including running an aggressive online campaign in tandem with physical, door-to-door marketing strategies.
“We are prepared for the event… we opened the doors last year, but this time round we are more than ready having recently refurbished our beauty outlet,” the youthful businesswoman, of the “Generation Z” fold, explained.
Wanjiru’s facility boasts of a massage parlour with upmarket pedicure and manicure facilities amanned by qualified personnel who take care of both local and international clients.
“I have been privileged to work at the WRC secretariat in Naivasha as a media marshal and gained valuable awareness on the gaps that existed before choosing to invest in the beauty sector,” she pointed out.
Fully aware of the cut-throat competition offered by her rivals, the bubbly, easy to smile young entrepreneur is hoping to use her “connections”, that saw her freely interact with international rally drivers and crew members, to ward off potential competition.
“In a competitive world, to stay ahead of the pack and make maximum use of opportunities, ingenuity is a must,” she said, with a smug smile.
Lavender Five Star Barber Shop and Spa is a facility located along the Naivasha Maai Mahiu road, near the Buffalo Mall roundabout, one many amenities situated along the busy rally transport route, with service providers hoping to benefit from the yearly event despite the prevailing economic hardship.
“We are fully aware of the eroded spending power among rally fans and diehards but, as a facility, we are not giving up. Every dark cloud has a silver lining,” said an optimistic Wanjiru.
With less than two weeks to the global event, preparations were in top gear with more than 150 youths having been hired to do menial jobs, including clearing bush within some of the rally and spectator stages, including the iconic Hells Gate National Park which hosts the exciting “Wolf Power Stage”, the rally’s flying finish.
During his fact-finding mission, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya assured youths of short-term employment opportunities during the rally after some of the local leaders had complained of being “left out” during the previous editions.
The Cabinet Secretary assured the local leaders of slots in the non-skilled and skilled sectors during the WRC round.
Macharia Mwangi is a seasoned journalist with more than 20 years’ experience. Previously, he worked with Nation Media Group for 19 years.
Stay in the Know! Subscribe to our Official Newsletter for periodical updates.