Precious Nyarambi is a distinguished social entrepreneur, life and business coach, mentor, prolific author, and international speaker. She founded Vessels of Virtue, an organization dedicated to the holistic empowerment and transformation of youth and women, particularly those from previously marginalized backgrounds. With a vision to amplify the voices of individuals, families, communities, and nations in various spheres of influence, Vessels of Virtue operates through a collaborative model, engaging with partners on diverse projects.
The organization focuses on five key pillars: Education and Economic Empowerment, Nutrition and Social Contribution, Smart Agriculture and Food Security, Health, and Technology and Innovation. In recognition of her contributions, Precious has been appointed as a special representative of the Vice President to Southern Africa, with a focus on advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and global development priorities.
A strong advocate for leveraging entrepreneurial opportunities within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and the Internet of Things (IoT), Precious holds several notable qualifications, including an SEP from GIBS, a Start-up program with Investec, and a degree in Entrepreneurship from the University of South Africa (UNISA).
What are the main factors that guided you to where you are now?
My conviction and belief system have been my anchor over the years. I know that I can do all things and that all things are possible. I am fully convinced that the “violent” shall take it by force in this world. The race is not for the slow but for PUSHERS—people who are willing to defy the odds and stand up for their convictions at all costs. Become accomplished against all odds. Forget all the reasons why it won’t work and focus on one reason why it will.
Once one identifies with their purpose, it begins to push them to see the great seed manifesting within each of us. That great seed must be identified, harnessed, and developed for fruition.
It is amazing how the things that frustrate us the most can ultimately become breakthroughs if we allow ourselves to see the lessons beyond the frustration. Have you ever realized that some of the greatest breakthroughs come from places of deepest frustration? When we dig deep within and process these feelings, we can birth something that not only benefits ourselves but also positively transforms many others in the process. I believe human beings have the power to overcome almost anything. The fact that something bothers you inside makes you a solution giver to that issue. It shows that you know better than what you are seeing or experiencing, and by acting on it, you can transform yourself and those around you.
Given your years of experience and accomplishments, what would you say was your biggest achievement?
To date, Vessels of Virtue (VOV) has achieved significant milestones in empowering women and children. The organization has counseled, upskilled, and placed over 5,000 women in jobs through Elohay Cleaners Pty, ensuring sustained livelihoods. VOV also launched a magazine featuring entrepreneurs, leaders, innovators, and social entrepreneurs, enhancing visibility and knowledge of their impact. Additionally, the organization inaugurated the Vessels Awards, which annually honors the efforts of entrepreneurs and innovators.
VOV has provided educational support for vulnerable school-going children and university students through strategic partnerships, such as one with Rau University in India. They have developed white-labeled products, including water, peanut butter, and a beauty range, to generate passive income for their humanitarian efforts. Furthermore, VOV is galvanizing support for Vessels TV, aimed at facilitating global entrepreneurship conversations. With a membership-driven model, the organization is creating an app to synchronize their work and support for entrepreneurs.
In addition to these initiatives, VOV established a community library through furniture donations, addressing the challenges faced by marginalized children in accessing safe study environments and technology. Under the leadership of founder Precious Nyarambi, VOV has authored three books available on Amazon, including “Thriving Entrepreneurs,” which has been adapted into a workbook to assist entrepreneurs in scaling their ventures. The organization has trained over 500 entrepreneurs and social entrepreneurs through various programs and has partnered with the European Business Institute of Luxembourg to offer accredited courses.
Moreover, VOV has initiated Vessels of Virtue Healthcare, aiming to be a Centre of Excellence for affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare, particularly for women, youth, and the elderly in remote communities. Their comprehensive health services address multiple medical conditions and leverage innovative technologies to promote community health. Key partnerships with organizations such as Econet Wireless Zimbabwe and IDC South Africa have facilitated the establishment of libraries and digital hubs for marginalized children, alongside support for various entrepreneurial events. A dairy farming cohort is also set to launch, furthering their commitment to empower female farmers.
What is the quote that inspires you the most?
The quote that inspires me the most is: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Winston S. Churchill
What distinguishes Vessels of Virtue from other organizations in your field?
Our organization offers a holistic approach. Vessels of Virtue (VOV), a social enterprise spearheaded by women to champion gender mainstreaming, has designed empowerment programs and initiatives that specifically teach skills that are critical in enhancing productivity and efficiency in women and youth either in formal or informal businesses. Empowering women and youth to participate fully in economic growth across all sectors is essential in building robust economies, improving Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and other economic indicators, achieving nationally agreed goals for development and sustainability, as well as improving the quality of life for women as well as their families, communities and their intellectual capacity. We have been actively involved in the education of marginalized and orphaned children thereby addressing some of the global SDG goals including, inter Alia, achieving no poverty, quality education, gender equality, decent work and economic growth, reduced inequalities and partnerships for the goals.
VOV main goal is to respond and align with the 2015 African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government in the context of achieving Africa’s Agenda 2063 on Women’s and youth empowerment and Sustainable Development Goals built on the following Agenda-2063 commitments: Achieving equitable people-centered growth and development, Eradicating poverty, Promoting participatory and accountable institutions and Empowering women and girls.
At the heart of our work are five key pillars aimed at driving sustainable change. First, in “Education & Economic Empowerment”, we focus on fostering entrepreneurship that enhances basic education and increases retention rates for school-aged children in arid regions of Kenya through feeding programs and financial support for families. Our “Nutrition & Social Contribution” pillar addresses the challenges of inadequate nutrition by empowering women and youth to engage in value-adding enterprises. Through “Smart Agriculture and Food Security”, we collaborate with innovators and social entrepreneurs to enhance agricultural knowledge and tools, particularly in food-insecure areas. In the “Health” sector, we aim to re-skill existing workers, integrating our pillars to create health-focused entrepreneurs and investors. Finally, our “Technology and Innovation” pillar seeks to leverage technology to improve efficiencies and drive productivity growth across our entrepreneurial ventures. Together, these pillars work synergistically to create lasting impact in the communities we serve.
What personality traits contributed to you being successful?
The personality traits that contributed to my success are: ambition, dedication, passion, patience, willingness to learn, effective communication, discipline, time consciousness, confidence and optimism.
In light of your journey and experiences, what message would you like to convey to aspiring youth in the same field?
Nothing in Life That’s Worthwhile Will Come Easy
One of the main issues with failure is that we often set ourselves up for it by expecting success to come easily. In a society driven by instant gratification, we resist waiting for our goals. However, nothing truly worthwhile is achieved without effort. Monumental achievements are hard for a reason—if they were easy, everyone would succeed.
Big goals require significant sacrifices, and many people turn back when they realize what they must give up. The truth is, we often hesitate to invest the necessary work, risk everything, and stand firm in the face of adversity. It’s through persistence, even amid failure, that remarkable outcomes arise.
Forgive yourself for failures, understanding that if you deeply desire something, repeated failures are part of the journey. As Thomas Edison said, “Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Keep pushing forward and don’t give up.
What is your personal team leadership philosophy, and how does it shape your work environment?
I embrace the Impactful & Empathy leadership philosophy, which defines my approach as a leader. An impactful leader inspires and motivates others to achieve common goals while creating a positive, lasting influence on their team, organization, or community. Such leaders possess key qualities, including a clear vision for the future, the ability to articulate compelling goals, and a genuine understanding of the needs and emotions of those they lead. Integrity is essential, as it fosters trust and respect through honest and principled actions. Additionally, impactful leaders demonstrate adaptability, navigating challenges with resilience, and empower others by providing support, guidance, and opportunities for growth.
Effective communication is another crucial trait, enabling them to share ideas, listen actively, and encourage collaboration. They also embody accountability, taking responsibility for their actions and decisions, thereby setting a standard for others. Ultimately, impactful leaders not only achieve success but also leave a legacy, shaping organizational cultures, developing future leaders, and driving long-term positive change. This philosophy guides my leadership style and commitment to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive.
What is the most valuable lesson learned from your professional journey?
When you align purpose, vision and growth mind-sets in your entrepreneurial journey, and factor in “The Power of Yet”, it leaves room for continuous personal growth and in turn business growth. ‘Yet’ puts a fixed mind-set statement into a growth mind-set context of learning over time. Yet is a little word with potentially big powers of motivation. This is the power of “not yet according” to Carol S. Dweck. Not yet gives confidence, a different perspective and a bigger picture and empowers the mind-set. The mind-set will direct the habit and attitude. If you don’t have it figured out yet, keep at it. One day it will come together.
Entrepreneurs embrace challenges, which helps them develop effective problem-solving skills. Rather than getting stuck, they confront and overcome obstacles, building their capacity in the process. When I face a challenge, I take time to reflect and unpack it, ultimately finding a solution. This tenacity grows with each challenge overcome. Over the years, as I tackle various obstacles, I gain the experience and maturity needed to handle both big and small issues. This journey transforms me into a victor, not a victim.
Entrepreneurs see efforts as paths to mastery, learn from criticism, find lessons and inspiration in the success of others and as a result, they achieve ever-higher levels of achievement for themselves. The mind-set must be empowered continuously and sees more opportunities in every situation. The mind is a powerful tool, fill it with positive thoughts and your life will flourish. What you think, you shall become.
How do you manage and prioritize your time between networking activities and other leadership responsibilities?
I would say, set goals correctly (set goals that are achievable and measurable), prioritize wisely (prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency), set a time limit to complete a task, take a break between tasks, organize yourself, remove non-essential tasks/activities and plan ahead.
What future developments do you anticipate in the realm of networking and organizational visibility?
We want to see Vessels Healthcare growing and creating meaningful impact. We are open to all networking opportunities that bring about learning, exposure and any business support we can get.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives you’re particularly excited about?
We are working with the B2B2C model. We introduce medical insurances through CellMed that are affordable and accessible even to the informal sector (Compliance). The insurance will be offered on an ordinary and premium membership basis. Ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and quality standards will be a top priority to mitigate legal and reputational risks. We supply medical equipment to hospitals that are not well resourced. We will prioritize excellent customer service, providing ongoing support, training, and maintenance services to our clients to ensure the optimal performance of the equipment. By supplying medical equipment to low-resourced hospitals, we aim to improve access to quality healthcare services and contribute to better health outcomes in underserved communities. We provide tele and mobile health to low- income communities in hard-to reach areas. We partner with hospitals that need equipment on a profit- sharing basis. We will establish partnerships with reputable manufacturers, both domestically and internationally, to ensure a diverse range of high-quality products at competitive prices. Efficient and effective logistics and distribution channels will be established to ensure timely delivery of products to our customers, utilizing both local distribution centers and third-party logistics providers. Our long-term goal is building the state-of-the-art hospital Our company will operate as a medical equipment supplier, sourcing a range of devices including diagnostic equipment, patient monitoring systems, surgical instruments, and basic medical supplies. We will focus on building strong relationships with manufacturers to negotiate favorable pricing and ensure timely delivery of products.
