Marini Naturals founder Michelle Ntalami, 40, has opened up about her decision not to settle in Italy after completing her studies there.
Ntalami holds a Master’s in Corporate Interior Design and Branding from the Florence Design Academy in Italy. The Loreto High School, Limuru alumni also holds a First-Class Honors degree in Corporate Design and Communication from the University of Nairobi.
She told Jessy Junction that the loss of her father greatly influences her decision to not settle there.
“I lost my dad during my studies. It destabilized me a bit, but I managed to finish school,” Ntalami shared.
Her father’s illness profoundly changed how she viewed life and her career. After finishing her studies, she returned to Kenya and started a successful design company, which eventually led to the creation of Marini Naturals.
Michelle Ntalami: How Father Inspired Marini Naturals Creation
Her father’s battle with cancer inspired her to develop organic hair care products.
“He lived right, never smoked, never drank, and that made me reevaluate my life,” she explained.
Ntalami even shaved her hair during this challenging period as a tribute to her father, who was losing his hair due to chemotherapy.
“He funded the project; he knew the name. It was him who inspired me to make natural products,” she added.
Ntalami proudly stated, “We were the first full natural hair care products in Kenya. By the time Marini was starting, I had already made a name for myself.”
Her journey from grief to entrepreneurship shows just how committed Ntalami is to honoring her father’s legacy through her work.
Although she has three siblings, she remains single and child-free. Recently, she announced her spiritual journey, sharing that she had gotten saved on May 21, 2024.
By Vivian K.