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For our first Beauty Empowered for 2021 we have a triple threat for you. We caught up with Registered Nurse, Model and Mentor Shiko Kariuki. The Kenyan beauty is a true inspiration who is passionate about women empowerment and runs quarterly confidence workshops for young women designed to equip them with leadership skills, feminine etiquette and holistic well-being. Shiko was crowned Miss Africa Perth in 2016 , She used the platform to articulate the voices of African Youth both in Western Australia and her home town in rural Kenya. She was also recently presented with the community pillar award at the WA African  Community Awards (WAACA).

MEET SHIKO

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I am a storyteller who aims to inspire. A registered nurse by day and a mentor to young women by passion.I was born in Kenya. I relocated to Australia in 2010 to pursue my undergrad in nursing and since then it has been my second home.

What do you enjoy most about nursing?

I work in a mental health clinic. What I enjoy most about my role is that I get to sit and listen to my clients at a very vulnerable time of their life. My job is to help them reflect using the skills they learn and help them navigate through the situation. Knowing that someone is there and truly cares makes such a big difference in my client’s mental well-being. My satisfaction comes about when they report on their progress and see how much of a difference it makes to have someone listen and be there for them.

Why did you get into beauty pageants?

I have always loved beauty pageants. Ever since I was a little girl. I remember my first-time watching Miss World. I somewhat knew that I had found my passion.The beautiful women, the poise, the catwalk, the good courses they represented, name it. The first time I participated in a beauty pageant was in high school. A tiny inexperienced girl who was simply following her stars. I did not get the title, but that’s a story for another day ☺.

In 2014, I enrolled in a modelling school here in Perth to acquire more skills in catwalk and photography and in 2016, I joined my first pageant, Miss Africa Perth. I did this to get a platform where I could pursue my passion for modelling and catwalk, as well as mobilize funds for several orphaned children who I had come across from rural Kenya during some mission work. The platform gave me more than I had anticipated. It opened doors to pursuing community work and gave me the confidence to sharing my story.

In 2019, I contest for yet another beauty pageant Ms. Galaxy Australia. After securing the winner on nationals, I travelled to the U.S. to represent Australia where I became the 3rd runner up. These platforms have equipped me to train Miss Africa Perth contestants and other upcoming models, in catwalk, photography, and overall stage etiquette.

How did mentorship influence your life?

I have been very fortunate to have mentorship in my life. The first formal mentorship I had was with Sofa Sunday; a group of ethnically diverse young women sponsored by the U.S. Consulate in Perth with Fadzi Wadhe, a global diversity and inclusion strategist. This particular mentorship changed the way I perceived myself as a woman of colour in Australia. I got an opportunity to network with a diverse group of women who were championing change in the world. I also value life coaching and that is why I do what I do today. The coaching helps me navigate the challenges that I face in my career, life, relationships, and business.

Talk to us about your confidence workshops?

I started the confidence workshops in 2019 after a friend approached me and requested to mentor her daughter. We sat for a coffee and spoke about how this would look like, this left me thinking about how many more young girls would have needed this but didn’t have the opportunity. I left the meeting with the idea of starting the confidence workshops.

I commenced my first workshop with about 10 girls in attendance. I shared my story with the girls, and also had some guest co-facilitators. After the workshop, the parents shared how grateful they were for me creating such a platform for their girls. The girls also gave feedback of how much the workshop affirmed them. I felt so fulfilled and I knew at that point that this was part of my WHY!

I have since run quarterly workshops that focus on leadership, growth, and feminine etiquette.Due to the challenges of 2020, we did some of the workshops online. We kicked off 2021 with a high tea at an art gallery in the beautiful Fremantle.

What advice would you give to young women who may be struggling with self-confidence?

My advice to women who may be struggling with self-confidence would be, to look within. Go back and address the inner child within who is struggling to be free. Address her pain. Look at her wounds. Heal her from within.

Everyone has had this struggle at one point or the other. What matters is how you deal with it. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and inspire you. Read books that help you grow. Every day, do something to build yourself as a person. Surrender to God and show up as the best version of you.

What inspires you to do your best work every day?

I believe that our purpose here on earth is to leave it better than we found it. Our time is limited and someone else's breakthrough is tied to our purpose. I could be the reason another woman stands a little taller, speaks a little louder, and believes in the beauty of her dreams. What inspires me to keep going. Giving back what has been given to me so freely is the least form of service. And God’s unmerited favour reminds me that I should be a good steward of my gifts.

What are some of your hobbies outside of work?

Outside of work, I enjoy some downtime in nature. I love traveling and exploring new places. As a storyteller, I have a passion for blogging and sharing my life experiences and wisdom through words. I’m part of a network of women writers, the Kin Women. I also enjoy sketching art, fashion, and portraits.

What does beauty mean to you?

To me, beauty means totality; to be the same person both inside and out. Beauty is a form of self-expression that holds no constraints. It is the freedom to imagine and create. Everybody is beautiful in different ways. This is what makes us individuals.

Name three beauty products you can’t live without?

For me, a must have in my everyday look would-be; mascara, lipstick, and a good hand cream!

What’s next for you?

There’s so much exciting stuff that cannot simply be shared on one page ☺ More collaborations focusing on empowering young people, especially those of colour. I will be working towards the confidence workshops for young women in 2021. Please keep an eye on our Instagram page;  @confidence_workshop_for_girls. We are also in the process of building a website where I will be revealing all that we have been working on behind the scenes.Please watch out for his space!

How can we connect with you?

Facebook: Shiko Kariuki

Instagram: @Shiko_kari