Geraldine Waruguru
# Geraldine Waruguru

Geraldine Waruguru is a Kenyan businesswoman and airline pilot. She is the founder, co-owner and chief executive officer of Scents by Geraldine Limited, a perfume manufacturing business, based in Nairobi. She concurrently works as an airline transport pilot, who serves as a First Officer at Kenya Airways, Kenya's national carrier airline, on the Boeing 737 aircraft.

## Background and education

Waruguru was born in Kenya circa 1984. She attended Kenyan schools for her elementary and secondary education. She then went on to obtain a commercial pilot licence from the 43rd Air School, in Port Alfred, South Africa. Later in 2016, she undertook a course in perfumery.

## Career

Geraldine Waruguru began flying for Kenya Airways in 2006. After several years of research, she decided to start her own perfume line in 2016. After looking for a manufacturing partner in Germany, South Africa and the United Kingdom, she selected Scentury Company from Berlin.

Her first branded perfume came to market in 2017, after Geraldine spent €25,000 of her personal savings on developing the brand. She markets her fragrances online and on social media platforms. She also maintains a shop along Kenyatta Avenue, in Nairobi's central business district. During the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of laying off her staff, she convinced them to accept half of their regular salary.

## Family

Geraldine Waruguru is a mother to a son, who was born circa 2013.

## Other considerations

Prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, she expected to complete her examinations to become a captain on the Boeing 737 by the end of 2020.

