Sharon Adede (right) and Mercy Adede at their vibrant workspace on April 15, 2025 in Kondele, Kisumu County. When the world paused in March 2020 due to the pandemic, the sisters refused to retreat in fear. Instead, they boldly brought to life a childhood dream, one that would bloom into a thriving creative brand.
In March 2020, as a global pandemic brought the world to a standstill and silence replaced the hum of everyday life, two sisters in Kisumu County chose not to retreat in fear and instead pursue a dream that had quietly bloomed since their childhood.
Armed with nothing but coloured paper, unshaken faith, and a shared vision, Sharon, 31, and Mercy Adede, 37, launched Amazing Toppers.
What began in a modest home has blossomed into a name synonymous with elegance, resilience, and boundless creativity in the region’s event décor scene.
“We didn’t have much, but we had a vision and that was just enough to get us started,” Sharon recalls.
The sisters’ story started inside a small Kisumu home. Their parents made every celebration special; birthdays with simple balloons, Christmases adorned with handmade streamers, and graduations that warranted a joyful spread no matter how modest.
“It doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful,” their parents often said. That mantra became the sisters’ guiding light, now reflected in every archway, centrepiece, and balloon bouquet they craft.
Their official journey began with a medium paper. In her bedroom, Sharon folded, twisted, and glued vivid sheets into delicate paper florals, while Mercy turned their craft into a venture, being gifted with a sharp eye for design and a business mind to match.
Their first event? A friend’s child’s birthday party, done entirely for free and funded from their own pockets.
Even though they did not earn a cent, Sharon and her elder sister say that the function boosted their confidence, experience, and gave them a glimpse of possibility.
Sharon Adede (right) and her sister Mercy Adede show samples of their work at their Kondele workspace in Kisumu County on April 15, 2025. They transformed uncertainty into opportunity, laying the foundation for what would become a profitable creative enterprise.
“Do what you love, and the money will follow,” Sharon says with quiet conviction.
Yet, the path to building a business was no fairy tale. Early on, a torrential storm at a place known as Kisian, on the outskirts of Kisumu City, nearly crushed their spirits.
“We had just finished setting up. It was stunning, then suddenly heavy rains started pounding the area, ruining everything, including chairs, linens and the entire setup,” Sharon says of that day.
Despite the devastation, they owned the moment, explaining the mishap to the client and even issuing a partial refund.
“It was hard, but honesty mattered and the client respected that. That day taught us grace under pressure,” Mercy says.
Whereas she juggles a full-time teaching job, Sharon has poured all her energy into the fledgling business.
A golden butterfly centerpiece takes shape at the Amazing Toppers in Kondele, Kisumu on April 15, 2025. Handcrafted with precision and creativity, it’s one of the many custom decor pieces that define the Adede sisters’ signature touch.
“There was a time I missed nearly two days of teaching for a last-minute luxury setup, we were so exhausted, but it was worth it.”
Exhaustion has, however, become routine. There are nights the two spend hand-cutting toppers until their fingers throb, and weekends lost to back-to-back events, yet they have pressed on. Like any other business on the path to find its footing, the venture stumbled, underquoted and over delivered.
But each misstep became a masterclass.
“Don’t quote to impress, quote to deliver, and when we did exactly that, the right clients stayed,” says Mercy.
Their clientele soon expanded to include professionals, artists, and even politicians, but the memories they hold dearest are not from grand galas but from moments that touched the heart.
Sharon remembers styling a simple church wedding for her former Sunday school teacher.
“They had no décor budget. Everything was handmade. It was tough, but a year later, that function opened for us our first fully paid wedding job,” she recalls.
Sharon Adede (right) and Mercy Adede at their Kondele workspace in Kisumu County on April 15, 2025.
Another unforgettable event was a birthday for a differently abled child.
“The mother was overwhelmed,” Mercy says of the outcome of that event, “She said her child lit up in ways she’d never seen before. That joy meant everything.”
Such moments, say the business owners, were more cherished than the pay cheques, and fuelled their passion.
Today, Amazing Toppers is a sought after brand. Their custom cake toppers, balloon artistry, signage, and luxury décor grace weddings, corporate galas, and political events. Their work has appeared on national television, often during high-profile celebrations.
“Sometimes we’re watching TV and see our décor, we just look at each other and say, ‘That’s ours.’ It’s surreal,” Sharon says, beaming.
They have styled events for Siaya Senator Oburu Odinga, contributed to occasions linked to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and collaborated with notable public figures, yet their core remains unchanged, humble, hands-on and heart-driven.
“You just know it’s our design. There’s a signature elegance in everything we do,” Mercy points out. Now employers and mentors, they have built a small but passionate team of four and launched training programs to nurture young creatives, especially girls and persons with disabilities, often overlooked in the creative economy.
“Our last student just graduated a month ago and watching her grow was so fulfilling, it was just like a dream,” Sharon says proudly, adding,
“We don’t just want to rise, we want others to rise with us, that’s how you build a legacy,” Mercy believes, adding that creativity pays.
They now speak to students, host workshops, and inspire others to pursue unconventional dreams.
“There’s no limit to greatness, you can start at any point. Just stay focused,” Mercy advises.
Looking ahead, they dream of national expansion, styling international events, opening training hubs across Kenya and turning their business into a symbol of possibility.
“Legacy isn’t what you leave for people, it’s what you leave in people,” Sharon says, quoting Peter Strople, a motivational speaker and mentor.
For the Adede sisters, that legacy began with paper, faith, and an unshakable belief in their gifts.
“If you wait to start when you are ready, you’ll wait forever, just start. Use what you have and dream boldly, then go,” Sharon reflects.
