Wakenya Clewis, a Kenyan‑born entrepreneur and model who calls herself the “Kenyan Hippie”, has created a personal brand in the United States that combines modelling, tattoo art and entrepreneurship.

Raised in Kenya, she first engaged with the arts through Balozi Africa, a music and dance ensemble that showcased African culture abroad, shaping her early interest in performance and creative expression.

After relocating to the United States, Clewis faced personal hardship, including the loss of her first infant child, which led her to withdraw from public life before the birth of her second child in 2016 prompted a renewed focus on independence.

Her interest in tattoos began in 2017 when a routine eyebrow‑piercing appointment introduced her to a tattoo artist skilled at working with darker skin tones, sparking curiosity about body art.

The first major tattoo—a butterfly acquired in her mid‑twenties—became a personal symbol of healing and growth, leading her to favor nature‑inspired designs that now cover most of her body.

Rather than keeping the tattoos private, Clewis recognized an opportunity to build a professional identity around them, using her distinctive look to differentiate herself from more conventional immigrant career paths.

Her online presence grew after entering Inked Magazine’s 2020 cover‑girl competition, which expanded her visibility and led to portrait commissions, modelling jobs and creative collaborations.

Clewis attributes her success to digital platforms that allow creatives to reach audiences beyond local communities and connect with clients seeking distinctive styles.

She uses the “Kenyan Hippie” persona to promote self‑employment and independent thinking, urging others to identify personal strengths and turn them into sustainable businesses.

Clewis’s journey illustrates how an unconventional passion, when paired with consistent branding and public engagement, can become a viable source of income.