At 23, Lizbeth Mwendwa has turned her creativity into a business with “Unwind With Colour”

At just 23 years old, Lizbeth Mwendwa, founder of Lizbeth Luxe Events, has quietly carved a niche for herself in Nakuru’s events industry with her debut concept: Unwind With Colour.

This art-inspired experience is designed to bring together creativity, relaxation and social connection.

Her inspiration to create Unwind With Colour came from a desire to offer Nakuru residents an alternative to the usual nightlife, a place where people can gather, express themselves, and take a break from the demands of everyday life.

“I’ve always loved attending events. But for years, I had to travel to Nairobi to experience anything different. It became exhausting, so I thought, why not bring that energy here?” says Lizbeth.

At her event, Unwind with Colour, guests spend a few hours painting on canvas under the guidance of an instructor while enjoying music, games and conversation. All materials from easels and brushes to paints are provided.

“You don’t need to be an artist. You just come, have fun, and leave with your own piece of art to take home," she says with a smile.

The first edition, which was recently held in Nakuru, attracted 20 participants, slightly fewer than the projected 30, but Lizbeth describes it as exceeding all expectations.

"It was emotional watching it come to life. People couldn't believe it was my first event. From the décor to the flow, everything came together beautifully," she says.

Nevertheless, the journey hasn’t been without challenges. Like many first-time entrepreneurs, Lizbeth has had to contend with slow ticket sales, tight budgets and logistical hurdles.

"A lot of people buy tickets at the last minute. As an event planner, you depend on those sales to pay service providers. I had to rely on my parents, who really came through for me," she says.

Venue selection and budgeting also proved difficult. An even bigger blow came when one of her early partners pulled out of the project.

“I hadn’t considered contracts or value alignment. But it taught me the importance of clarity and professionalism," she admits.

Despite the setbacks, Lizbeth is determined to carry on. She plans to establish Unwind With Colour as a regular event, hosting it twice or even three times a month, with each edition built around a new creative theme.

A graduate in interior and fashion design, Lizbeth says her events blend her passion for aesthetics with her belief in the healing power of art.

"Life isn’t that serious. From Monday to Friday, everyone is busy and stressed. My events are about letting go, meeting new people and simply having fun," she says.

Looking ahead, she hopes to collaborate with other creatives and investors to establish Lizbeth Luxe Events as a recognised brand across Kenya.

“The name 'Luxe' comes from my love of luxury and beauty. I want people to associate my events not just with the décor, but with how they feel when they attend," she explains.

In her words, “This is just the beginning, one brushstroke and one event at a time.”