Upon earning a First Class honors degree in health services management from Kenyatta University in 2015, Risper Kerubo had an optimistic vision of a future brimming with appealing job opportunities in the health sector.

However, her enthusiastic pursuit of a promising career led to disappointment when she encountered a lack of prospects despite months of job hunting.

Faced with the stark reality of the job market, Risper began exploring alternative means of income. Drawing inspiration from her fellow Kisii community members who found success selling bananas and avocados in Nairobi, she decided to investigate the viability of sourcing these commodities directly from farmers.

Equipped with newfound expertise in the trade, Risper took a leap of faith in 2016 and established a small shop in Nairobi's bustling Imara Daima estate. Unbeknownst to her at the time, this decision would significantly alter the course of her life.

Initially, doubts crept into Risper's mind as she grappled with reconciling her academic achievements with her new role as a fruit vendor. Nevertheless, she persisted, investing relentless effort into the growth of her business.

Each day, Risper managed to sell substantial quantities of bananas and avocados, resulting in a net profit of Sh1,000 after factoring in expenses such as transportation, capital, and wages for her worker.

Despite her achievements, Risper encountered challenges along the way. The early mornings, starting at 4 am, were spent at Nairobi's Wakulima Market, where she had to compete fiercely to secure the best produce as soon as it arrived. This demanding role required physical labor and resilience, qualities not typically associated with her academic background.

As she became more adept at running her business, Risper's entrepreneurial passion flourished. The sense of accomplishment she derived from her successful venture outweighed societal expectations of her pursuing a prestigious job. Despite facing skepticism and societal norms that questioned her career choice, Risper learned to rise above criticism.

Even her parents initially held reservations about her business, viewing it as a temporary measure while she searched for a job in her field. However, witnessing Risper's determination and accomplishments eventually led them to embrace her entrepreneurial spirit.

Amidst skepticism, Risper found solace in the support of friends and fellow university alumni who admired her courage and resilience in embracing an unconventional career path. This recognition bolstered her determination and empowered her to stay true to her passions.

Balancing the demands of motherhood with entrepreneurship presented another hurdle for Risper, yet she approached it with the same determination that fueled her academic excellence.

Despite the challenges she faced, Risper's fruit vending business not only fulfilled her family's needs but also allowed her to save for business expansion. While she still harbored aspirations of pursuing a master's degree in the future, she discovered a genuine love for her business that she couldn't ignore.

Risper's success story exemplifies the idea that genuine fulfillment arises from following one's passions and leveraging strengths, even if it entails diverging from conventional career trajectories. Her journey from an accomplished recent graduate to a thriving fruit vendor underscores the resilience and adaptability of the human spirit.