- Third-year University of Eldoret student Faith Jepchumba is balancing academics with entrepreneurship to meet her daily expenses.
- Her smokie business helps her pay for rent, food and other personal needs while pursuing her studies.
- She says discipline, consistency and effective time management have enabled her to succeed in both business and academics.
A third-year student at the University of Eldoret is inspiring many young people after successfully balancing her studies with a small business that helps cater for her daily expenses.
Faith Jepchumba, who is pursuing her studies at the institution, spends her free time selling smokies in Eldoret town to earn extra income for rent, food and other personal needs.
Speaking about her journey, Faith said the business has become an important source of financial support, enabling her to meet expenses that many university students struggle with.
She noted that one of the biggest challenges has been managing both academics and entrepreneurship.
However, through proper planning and discipline, she has successfully balanced her classwork and business activities.
“I have learned how to manage my time well so that my studies are not affected while I continue running the business,” she said.
Consistency pays off
Faith attributes part of her success to consistency.
According to her, operating from the same location every day has helped her build trust and loyalty among customers.
She explained that after a few days of operating in the same place, people begin associating her with the business and eventually become regular customers.
“Once customers know where to find you every day, they keep coming back. Consistency has helped me build a loyal customer base,” she said.
Growing culture of student entrepreneurship
Faith’s story reflects the growing number of university students embracing entrepreneurship to supplement their income amid rising living costs.
Many students are increasingly turning to small businesses such as online sales, food vending, tutoring and digital services to support themselves while pursuing higher education.
Education stakeholders have consistently encouraged learners to embrace innovation, creativity and self-employment, arguing that entrepreneurship complements formal education while preparing graduates for a competitive job market.
Faith’s determination and resilience have earned her admiration from fellow students and members of the public, who view her as an example of hard work and self-reliance.
Her journey demonstrates that with commitment, consistency and a growth mindset, students can successfully combine education and entrepreneurship while laying a strong foundation for future success.
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As she continues with her studies, Faith remains focused on both academic excellence and growing her business, proving that small ventures can create meaningful opportunities when nurtured with dedication and persistence.
By Jeff Kirui
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