biography

Ruth Omanya is a Kenyan-American author, entrepreneur, actress, former model, and Harvard University Extension School attendee, known for her resilient spirit, transparent storytelling, and unshakable faith in Jesus Christ. She is the founder of RHO ECOLUXE, a clean beauty and eco-fashion brand rooted in purpose, sustainability, and restoration.

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Born Ruth Hellen Akoth Omanya in Nyanza Province, Kenya, Ruth is the daughter of the late Richard Omanya Adongo, former Homa Bay County Clerk, and the late Isdorah Akeyo Omanya, a respected banker at Standard Chartered Bank. Raised in a devout Seventh-day Adventist home, Ruth’s early faith was planted in childhood but didn’t take root until a later, life-altering encounter with God—through fire, grief, and redemption.

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She attended Asego Hills Nursery, followed by Kisii Primary, Bungoma Primary, and Commonwealth Primary School. She later earned her high school diploma from St. Albert’s Ulanda Girls High School, after which she relocated to the United States to pursue higher education. Despite rejections and culture shock, Ruth persevered, beginning her college education at Coppin State College in Baltimore before transferring to Essex Community College and eventually settling in Chicago, where she enrolled at Prairie State College and later Waubonsee Community College.

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An enterprising soul from the beginning, Ruth launched her first business in her late teens to early twenties shortly after arriving in the U.S.—Ideal Perspective International. This pioneering venture connected hundreds of international students to universities across America, helping them find schools that aligned with their academic and cultural preferences.

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In 2010, Ruth’s entrepreneurial spirit expanded into multiple industries. She:

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Appeared in independent films such as D.I.N.K.S, directed by Robert Alaniz, stepping briefly into the world of acting.

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Launched her own magazine, Portfolio Fusion, a creative publication celebrating artists and innovators through interviews and features that highlighted diverse voices in the creative industry.

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Founded K9STROLLS, a pet care business serving pet owners in the western suburbs of Illinois, offering personalized care and services for furry family members.

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Driven by passion, Ruth also spent years modeling and working while pursuing education and business growth. In 2020, she was accepted into Harvard University’s Extension School for their degree completion program for busy adults where she attended between 2020 - 2022. While juggling two jobs and nurturing her then-fledgling beauty brand, she eventually paused her studies to launch what is now known as RHO ECOLUXE, a purpose-driven clean beauty and bridal fashion brand. In 2023, she opened her first retail store in Millennium Park Pedway, followed by a second location at Block 37 in 2024.

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By 2025, Ruth pivoted the business online and stepped boldly into a long-delayed calling: publishing her debut book, Carried Through the Fire. The memoir tells of her journey from atheism to faith, from layers of devastating grief to divine restoration. It is a powerful testimony of survival, choice, and the relentless mercy of God.

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Today, Ruth lives in Chicago, where she continues to empower women and truth-seekers through entrepreneurship, authorship, and bold faith. Her story is a reminder that nothing is wasted in God’s hands—not the pain, not the delay, not even the fire.