Juliet Njogu, unlike many other Kenyans who lost their jobs after the pandemic struck the country, she did not sit back and start cursing, instead she rolled up her sleeves to start a journey of building a business empire that's now standing tall in Nairobi.
Before losing her job, she was a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a leading local commercial bank. The reason for the termination of her contract, however, remain unknown.
However, Njogu channeled all her devotion, time and experience towards pushing her brand to be one of the best boutique hotels in the world right now.
She extended the open leadership skills she acquired during her banking career to run the hotel.
“The fundamental principles of business management do not change. We need to make money and make sure our guests are happy enough to return," she stated during a recent interview.
Her hard work started paying off when she recently won an international award. National Geographic named it among the world’s top three new urban hotels.
Under the Best Urban Hotel Category, The Social House also scooped the runner’s up position in the National Geographic Travellers’ Annual Hotel Awards.
It is an entity bringing the paradigm shift in Kenya's hospitality industry boosting of having 83 bedrooms.
"This is no ordinary African city boutique hotel, expertly dodging both colonial tropes and the corporate feel of many regional options. Instead, locals pack out our fabulous bars and restaurants, with menus ranging from Scandinavian to Peruvian-Japanese."
"Bed down in one of 83 rooms with smartphone controls, and contemporary décor," she stated.
Njogu wanted to emulate the Hotel Hoxton concept. But she ended up getting professional chefs pushed her dream of establishing a top boutique hotel.
“And to be mentioned in the same breath as Hoxton and Capella – being market leaders in some of the most competitive European and Asian markets reflects that our sights have always been benchmarked against global standards and in support of our uniquely quirky,” Njogu remarked in an interview after bagging an international award.
The Social House prides itself on being a meeting point for tech geniuses, artists, business tycoons, fashion designers among other top guys.
In 2020, this prestigious city boutique hotel won the Hotel Bedroom and Suites Design category by the Society of British and International Design Awards.
Further, The Social House is Travelers’ choice award winner 2021 ranked among the top 10 per cent of listings on TripAdvisor worldwide.
The hotel brand name “The Social House” is a replica of a stylish home crowned by comfort and luxury. Its hallmark is in tailored services making it a king in the industry where diversity is a rule rather than an exception.
