He rose above negative voices who tried to dash his hopes of becoming a success, MATTHEW MOTURI now runs a modelling  agency, an events company, and an apparel brand he launched recently. He says sheer grit and resolve made it worth it despite the initial empty bank accounts

When Matthew Moturi ventured into business, his accounts were overdrawn and many people advised him to get a regular job.

Eight years later, he is silencing his critics as his dream takes shape. 

His love for creative art started when he was young. Fashion magazines and love for creative art was enviable.

He would envision himself alongside some of the big wigs of the time such as Fareed Khimani and Edward Kwach. 

“I was an avid member of drama club in my school years. I loved listening to radio and reading newspapers, so I knew I wanted to venture into journalism. That did not happen.

After school, my family insisted I pursue a course in accounting. Creative arts was considered more of a hobby than a career,” he explains.

In 2010, he enrolled at the Cooperative College to undertake an accounting course.

While in school, he landed a job at the Kenya Cooperative Creameries sacco as a banker.

But still as much as Matthew was an accounting student, he always found himself participating in modelling competitions in campus. 

After working for close to two years as a banker, the 29-year-old quit the job and put his savings in setting up a modelling agency.

His clients included corporates and advertising agencies. While running a modelling agency, in 2014, Matthew decided to venture into radio.

He was one of the founders of an online urban radio, Love FM.

Sign movement

“Radio was doing quite well. We had three shows a day, including morning and evening drive shows.

However as much as I had transitioned to art from a corporate job, it wasn’t that easy, especially for my family who were a bit skeptical about my decision of getting into the creative industry,” he says.

In the same year, Artisque Media, an events company that deals in graphic design, photography and video, was born.

Matthew explains he always loved to tell amazing and unique stories through still and motion pictures.

“Artisque grew fast. I became a destination wedding photographer, having covered weddings all over Kenya and in East Africa.

Not only do I cover high profile weddings, but also offer my photography services at corporate events.

“I have been a full time photographer close to five years now and I can honestly say that it has changed my life.

I feel so lucky to be able to take photos that can mean the world to my clients and their families. 

We live in a beautiful time, where art, photography or any type of visual expression has no limits,” he said. 

Having lived through all the critics and discouragements on his career, it got to a place where he needed a sign.

He was sure of what he was doing, but, unfortunately, his loved ones couldn’t see it.

This pushed him into the apparel industry. It all just started with him making his own customised attire. 

“I got great positive feedback from people — from clients, friends and family and even other designers.

Whenever I wore my ‘Sign’ apparel, people would ask what it meant and I would say it’s for inspiring and encouraging both the young and old to be confident and to follow their dreams. Sign stands for Smart, Intelligent, Great, Naturally.

In this age, most millennials are screening out brands that aren’t relevant or unique.

This has created sharp growth in the rise of artisan and street brands,” he explains.

Since its inception close to a year ago, Sign has become a movement among young people. It has become one of the trending apparels on social media, with celebrities wearing it to advocate for self-belief.

“Ever since we started, Sign has become a huge deal. The orders have been overwhelming with the high demand.

We sell and ship and deliver close to 10 pieces in a day with each piece ranging from Sh1,200 to Sh2,500.

Sign started with T-shirts, but now we have ventured into hoodies, vests, caps, and bomber jackets. They also come in a variety of colours,” he adds.

Challenges

He explains the most difficult part of starting out was the regular scoffing and discouragement he got from people, because they believed it was too cliché’ for one reason or another.

He adds that sometimes it would even affect his other businesses. The whole scenario would create a creative block, which was frustrating.

“I didn’t let that discourage me and I wouldn’t risk my creative and professional integrity as an artist. I stuck to my guns and at this point in my career, I couldn’t be happier for doing so,” he asserts.

Matthew plans on reaching more youths through his apparel and inspiring young creatives. He also plans on extending his collection since it has received good reviews and responses from most people.