{"id":254,"date":"2026-02-17T11:54:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T11:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/clarissa-natkwasa-kawumi\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T12:01:02","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T12:01:02","slug":"clarissa-natkwasa-kawumi","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/clarissa-natkwasa-kawumi\/","title":{"rendered":"Clarissa Natkwasa Kawumi"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"254\" class=\"elementor elementor-254\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0f02af2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0f02af2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e4a71fc\" data-id=\"e4a71fc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d887435 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d887435\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"269\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Clarissa-Drasing-e1771328760691.png?fit=269%2C300&amp;ssl=1\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-245\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Clarissa-Drasing-e1771328760691.png?w=1024&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Clarissa-Drasing-e1771328760691.png?resize=269%2C300&amp;ssl=1 269w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Clarissa-Drasing-e1771328760691.png?resize=917%2C1024&amp;ssl=1 917w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Clarissa-Drasing-e1771328760691.png?resize=768%2C858&amp;ssl=1 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 269px) 100vw, 269px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6cd27d5\" data-id=\"6cd27d5\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fc6b79 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3fc6b79\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>\u00a0<\/h3><p>\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bbf401a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bbf401a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7937da4\" data-id=\"7937da4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-533d246 elementor-tabs-view-horizontal elementor-widget elementor-widget-tabs\" data-id=\"533d246\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-8721\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8721\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Background<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-8722\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8722\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Journey<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-8723\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8723\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Strategy<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-8724\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8724\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Success<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-8725\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8725\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Advice<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-content-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-orientation=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8721\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Background<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8721\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-8721\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"false\"><p>In the heart of Kampala, Uganda, <strong>Clarissa Natkwasa Kawumi<\/strong> is quietly reshaping how natural skincare is made and sold. She is the founder of <strong>Risa Naturals<\/strong>, a homegrown skincare brand built not on hype or trends, but on science, listening, and intentional growth.<\/p><p>Founded between 2015 and 2016, Risa Naturals emerged from Clarissa\u2019s understanding of both chemistry and local realities. Over 70% of the ingredients are sourced locally, and every product is handmade in Uganda. From the beginning, the business reflected a commitment to function, ethics, and deep respect for the customer.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8722\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Journey<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8722\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-8722\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>Clarissa\u2019s journey has been anything but overnight success. It is a story of patience, iteration, and humility. She did not copy existing brands or chase aesthetics. Instead, she invested time in understanding the science of soap making and allowed customer feedback to shape the business.<\/p><p>\u201cOur bland-looking soap outsells the fancy ones,\u201d she says with a laugh. Many of her best-selling products are fragrance-free, simple, and functional\u2014designed to heal rather than impress. Customers responded, not to packaging, but to results.<\/p><p>She started without major funding, relying instead on small, trust-based cash flow support from friends. For years, the business grew organically and became self-sustaining. Only recently, as the market has become more saturated, has she begun preparing for scale.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8723\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Strategy<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8723\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"3\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-8723\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>Clarissa\u2019s strategy is grounded in listening\u2014both to the market and to her team.<\/p><p>Every employee at Risa Naturals is required to interact with customers. Even those in production attend markets and visit the shop. \u201cWe all need to understand who we\u2019re serving,\u201d she explains. Product ideas, packaging decisions, and improvements are shaped collectively.<\/p><p>The business is now formalizing its operations with the guidance of a board of advisors. Processes are being documented, financials prepared for audit, and compliance systems put in place. As Clarissa puts it, \u201cSerious money needs structure.\u201d<\/p><p>Technology plays a key role. Digital accounting tools support decision-making, while social media\u2014especially TikTok\u2014helps Risa Naturals stay connected to customers and trends. Research is non-negotiable. Clarissa constantly reads, experiments, and tests new formulations, believing even negative feedback is a gift.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8724\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Success<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8724\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"4\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-8724\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>Success, for Clarissa, is deeply personal and fluid.<\/p><p>\u201cIf I define success as paying school fees, that\u2019s success,\u201d she says. \u201cIf next year it\u2019s opening a new shop, that\u2019s success too.\u201d<\/p><p>Risa Naturals has grown from kitchen experiments to a physical storefront and a recognizable brand in Uganda\u2019s wellness space. Staff members who joined as assistants have grown into supervisors. Responsibility increases alongside pay, and employees are encouraged to see themselves as part of a long-term journey, not just a job.<\/p><p>Clarissa has also learned to redefine balance. Rather than chasing an ideal work-life split, she prioritizes what matters most in the moment\u2014family when needed, business when opportunity calls\u2014without guilt or second-guessing.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8725\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Advice<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8725\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"5\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-8725\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>Clarissa\u2019s advice to entrepreneurs is grounded in lived experience:<\/p><ul><li><strong>Listen deeply to your customers<\/strong>, especially when the feedback hurts.<\/li><li><strong>Don\u2019t confuse registration with formalization<\/strong>\u2014compliance and structure matter.<\/li><li><strong>Collaboration beats competition.<\/strong> There is room for many players to thrive.<\/li><li><strong>Grow at your own pace.<\/strong> Your definition of success doesn\u2019t need to match anyone else\u2019s.<\/li><li><strong>Build systems early.<\/strong> Growth capital follows structure.<\/li><\/ul><p>She also believes the future lies in collective advocacy. By organizing as an industry, small producers can influence regulation, reduce compliance burdens, and widen access to opportunity instead of squeezing those who try to formalize.<\/p><p>Clarissa Kawumi\u2019s story is not just about skincare. It is a powerful reminder that sustainable businesses are built slowly\u2014through listening, learning, and the courage to evolve.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u00a0 \u00a0 Background Journey Strategy Success Advice Background In the heart of Kampala, Uganda, Clarissa Natkwasa Kawumi is quietly [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-254","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/254","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=254"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/254\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":269,"href":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/254\/revisions\/269"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/candidbusinesswomen.co.ke\/book\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=254"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}