Naomi Wairimu Ogutu, a Kenya-born entrepreneur who runs a successful executive transport business in New York City, has had a long and arduous journey shifting from various occupations before establishing her business.
“I came to the US in 2012. I arrived with a master’s degree in Project Management and I expected to quickly enter my field of study on arrival. However, I was faced with limited opportunities. The challenge of adapting to a new country, and the need to support my young children, made me look into retail work to make ends meet ,” says the businesswoman who owns Naomi Cars NYC Incorporated.
Naomi relates her personal struggles in dealing with a failing marriage. This adversity allowed her to focus on venturing into private business to make ends meet. She opted to focus on building a stable future for herself and her three children. To supplement her income, she began driving for Uber.
“The role introduced me to a wide range of passengers, including professionals and entrepreneurs. Conversations with these types of people allowed me to mentally explore and gain practical insights into business development. The experience also gave me detailed knowledge of New York’s transport network. Later, I was able to complete a course at Master Cabi Academy - which provided me with the certification to launch my business - Naomi Cars NYC Incorporated ,” she says.
Kenya-born entrepreneur Naomi Wairimu Ogutu. She runs a successful executive transport business in New York City.
Photo credit: Pool
In this football season, Naomi Cars NYC Inc offers exciting World Cup hospitality packages. Naomi helps her clients obtain the FIFA pass for US visa applications. She also offers help booking flights, accommodation, road trips around World Cup venues and ground transportation. The global tournament that starts in June will be co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.
“We will take care of our clients from the minute they land at the JFK airport up to the last day they’ll leave the country ,” she says.
However, Naomi Cars NYC has not been spared the ravages of President Donald Trump’s tough immigration policies and the war in the Middle East. Naomi has had to be shrewd to tackle these adversities. How has Trump's immigration crackdown affected her business? Naomi’s business serves a lot of immigrants from Africa. “Since the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids started, most immigrants, even permanent legal residents, have developed fear. They are afraid of being profiled due to their appearances, accents and their African sounding names. So, most people want to just leave the house, go to work, go to the grocery shop, and go back home. Very few want to travel to other states for fun or leisure because of this fear. The atmosphere Trump has created is very anti-immigrant and xenophobic ,” she says.
Naomi gives the example of the annual Long Island New York Kenyan barbeque, which she uses to network and promote her business.
“For example in Summer 2025, our Long Island New York Kenyan barbeque that we have every year, was cancelled after members requested that we do not meet. Yes, we the organisers and attendees are legal - we have papers - but there’s that lingering fear of ICE just showing up and arresting everyone. It's happening a lot in New York City and other major American metropolises. Once ICE arrests you, it’s a whole process trying to clear your name. No one wants to go through that ,” she says.
How have these ICE swoops affected her business? Naomi explains that her business has been adversely affected by the fear and threat of potential ICE raids.
Naomi with some of her executive rental vans in New York.
Photo credit: Pool
“So many people are cancelling their scheduled tours or making inquiries but not booking. Almost all inquiries come with the question - how’s the situation in New York City? How do I tell them New York City is fine and there are not as many raids as they may think? But they do watch the news! Most want to stay safely in their states and avoid the hassle of potential arrest by ICE. For the first time, I’m seeing my calendar with so many gaps yet it’s Spring Break - a vacation period after a long winter season when we usually turn away clients !”
Going into a World Cup year when the US, Mexico and Canada are going to be hosting the global football extravaganza, businesses like Naomi’s would be expected to be thriving. However, Naomi states that visa bans on many African countries have affected her international clients from the continent. Though the ban is on migrant visas and Naomi’s clients come on tourist visas, applicants have to pay an exorbitant bond. “In Tanzania for instance, you have to pay almost Sh2 million ($15,000) refundable bond to travel to the United States. That’s a lot of money and most people tend to just not travel altogether .”
Kenya-born entrepreneur Naomi Wairimu Ogutu.
Photo credit: Pool
“ The Iran War has had an impact on everyone, I would say. For my business it’s all about international travellers who were caught up with flight cancellations in Dubai and Qatar. With that, other airlines like Kenya Airways have increased their prices such that it’s so expensive to fly into the United States. Some clients have had to cancel their trips. In addition to this, gas (petrol) prices are so high currently and that is on the same disposable income for workers. We are feeling the pain at the pump !”
Is Naomi hopeful for New York and the greater US economy or does she think this war in the Middle East will lead to a prolonged recession? “Yes I’m very optimistic! One thing about Americans is that we are very resilient. We have been through so much and we have always overcome! This too shall pass! These challenges make us better, and stronger. The economy will bounce back, I’m sure of that too. I’m praying that the war ends as soon as possible .”
Any advice for Kenyans looking to venture into business in the US? “My motto is FOF (Faith Over Fear). The thing holding most people back is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, and other fears of what people will say! My advice to my fellow Kenyans in America who want to venture into entrepreneurship is please go ahead. Follow your passion, invest well and have faith in yourself and your abilities. The pie is so big, America is so big, opportunities are plentiful and the business environment is very favorable ,” she says.
