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Betty Kinyana currently owns and operates a combination garment trading and tailoring shop as well as an arts and crafts business.
Though born in Rwanda, Betty's formal education was accomplished in Uganda where she worked until 1983. Due to political unrest, she moved to Kenya where her dream of becoming an entrepreneur became a reality as she began selling second-hand clothes. After attending Evelyn College of Fashion and Design she has added dress making and tailoring to her business which has helped her build a regular clientele.
Widowed in 1994, Betty moved back to Rwanda with her children. Expanding in 1996, she added imported clothes to her tailoring shop and has hired the best tailors.
In October 2007, while representing the Women's Cooperative at Canton Fair Trade China she was able to make business contacts for her as well as business professionals in Rwanda. Betty has also represented the cooperative at Global Village Trade Fair Dubai (2008) networking successfully with new potential markets and buyers of her products.
Betty hopes to improve her business skills in order to expand and include her own designs while employing local women in tailoring and selling products made by local artisans. Betty's hope for the future is to grow her business enough so that she is able to metor other women in her community.
Betty has five children: a son and daughter who have both graduated from the university, one daughter who is currently a student at the university and has two elementary age children who are daughters of her late brother.
