As a child, I valued hard work. My parents instilled in us the values of hard work and education as the means to a happy existence. And for the most part, at least for my family members other than myself, that worked. We are four siblings. My older brother now owns his own IT company in Canada. In Nairobi, my sister works as a senior nurse. Even my youngest brother, who barely made it through high school, owns a profitable business selling boda boda spare parts. Then there was me, thirty-five, with two degrees, yet living pay cheque to pay cheque and constantly switching between contract jobs.
I initially thought, “Perhaps your time hasn’t arrived.” I tried everything, starting a little business, applying overseas, and doing short courses. Nothing became stuck. I’d land a job and lose it in a matter of months. Within weeks after opening my business, an electrical malfunction destroyed all of my inventory. Customers would make cash promises and then disappear. I was always borrowing, broke, and embarrassed. To read more click here.
