Our Story

The Gikunda family has been in the beauty business for over 40 years, shaping the industry through retail, product innovation, and customer service. With that legacy, we felt a deep responsibility to give back to the ecosystem that shaped us. That’s why we established Lintons Foundation.

Our Vision
The Lintons Foundation is dedicated to empowering individuals to transform their futures and uplift their communities, with a focus on three core pillars that embody our values and mission: skills development, apprenticeship and entrepreneurship.

Our Mission
For over 3 years, we have championed access to quality education and opportunities in the beauty industry, striving to build a more educated, empowered and economically vibrant Africa

— Dr. Joyce Gikunda

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“I started Lintons Academy and Foundation because I saw incredible talent all around me, young women and men with a passion for beauty, but without access to quality training or clear career pathways. The beauty industry in Kenya was growing, but there was a clear gap: many spas and salons lacked professionally trained staff, and youth lacked structured opportunities to turn their skills into sustainable livelihoods.

My husband Edward and I have been in the beauty business for over 40 years—starting with Tropical Chemist and later building Lyntons Pharmacy, where we pioneered the integration of skincare and cosmetics into beauty retail in Kenya. That journey eventually led to the creation of Lintons Beauty World in 2007.

With this legacy, we felt a deep responsibility to give back to the ecosystem that shaped us. That’s why we established an ecosystem of Lintons Academy and Foundations as a way to uplift the next generation through education and entrepreneurship

Lintons Academy was born out of a powerful vision: to professionalize the beauty industry while empowering youth and women with the tools, mindset, and confidence to succeed. Today, our graduates are not only working in top salons and global brands—they’re launching their own businesses, mentoring others, and transforming their communities one service at a time.”

Watch Dr. Gikunda’s Journey