Double Dees: All women need to own lingerie
We have to admit, we’re kinda envious that Kenyan ladies get to enjoy first picks of the gorgeous lingerie from Double Dees. Double Dees is a Kenyan-based lingerie company that grew from the need to solve the problem of good underwear for busty gals. Double Dees exclusively focuses on providing high quality, alluring and affordable intimate apparel and swimwear for ladies with large busts. We’re talking DD+ cup size. The four friends behind the company; Charity Migwi, Constance Tipis, Stella Langat, and Wanjiru Njoroge are slowly changing African women’s view of underwear. Here, they debunk myths about underwear (did you know the initial reason behind thongs and G-strings?) and working with more than one co-founder. We’re now sold on why we shouldn’t be wearing mismatched underwear. We have to ask, what does the statement on your website ‘Hiyo size yako hatubebi’ or ‘Hiyo size yako hakunanga’ mean? This is Swahili for “We don’t carry that in your size”; a statement always made by bra vendors when you ask them for a bra that is DD+ cup size. What four things do African women get wrong when it comes to underwear? 1. Out of sight, out of mind! Our conservative African culture greatly influences African women’s view of underwear. At a young age, African girls are made to deprioritize underwear as just a piece of clothing that must remain concealed. Most carry this perspective into adulthood where the term “lingerie” becomes yet another abstract concept. 2. Does it work? Many African ladies wear underwear out of necessity. Their primary concern is that the panty conceals while the bra supports. This is unlike Western ladies who wear underwear as fashionable, statement pieces. 3. Classy vs. trashy war! Many African ladies are torn between the “classy vs. trashy war” when shopping for underwear. This emanated from misconceptions about specific types of underwear. For example, thongs and G-strings are regarded by most, as trashy underwear. While in essence, they were designed to help give women wearing light-fabric garments a seamless look. 4. The cost-benefit analysis! Why invest in a piece of clothing that is concealed 85% of the time? This is a universal problem. Many ladies are unable to think beyond the financial aspect when shopping for underwear. They fail to recognize the psychological benefits of wearing high-quality, alluring underwear. Let’s talk about #BraTales. Why did you start this? #BraTales is a platform we created for ladies with DD+ cup size to share their personal bra-shopping experiences. These stories capture humorous to heart-wrenching bra-shopping experiences that every busty lady can relate to. What are your favourite kinds of lingerie? What kind of lingerie should every woman have regardless of size? Do we really have to decide? We think every woman needs to own all of them. However, if we really had to choose, we would confine ourselves to these five basic styles: chemise (slip), babydoll, corset/bustier, garters, and matching bra-panty. Although, similar in appearance, chemises and babydolls differ in functionality. A chemise can be worn under regular clothing or as a nightwear whereas a babydoll serves a more sexy/flirtatious function. A corset (bustier) cinches one’s waist while garters hold up one’s thigh-high stockings. None of these competes with the regular old matching bra and panty set. We think Marylin Monroe’s popular phrase should have been, “Give a lady sexy lingerie, and she will rule the world.” A real lady knows not to leave the house wearing mismatched underwear ☺. There are four of you, how do you effectively manage your business? Any tips on working with more than one co-founder? We learnt earlier on that having and remaining true to a common goal was pertinent to managing our business effectively. We capitalize on each individual’s strengths, as these compensate for our unique weaknesses. Charity handles the company’s finances, Constance sales and marketing, Stella external affairs, while Ciru handles design and production. We have three tips; Respect is pivotal to acknowledging each person’s opinions, especially when these opinions contradict one’s own. Democracy in voting on any decision affecting the overall standing of the company. Demarcation of roles; splitting responsibilities ensures that each founder remains accountable for a specific function of the organization. Tell us about your Bra’nch. What was the process of starting that and how well was it received? We held our first Bra’nch on the 6th of August, 2016, as a way of showing appreciation to our repeat and new clients. We plan to make it a Double Dee’s tradition by hosting one every alternate month, as it was a hit with our clientele. Each Bra’nch will have a different twist, so be on the look out for us on October 1. Can you give us a sneak peek into your first exclusive collection? What can Kenyan ladies expect? “The Founder’s Collection” will feature pieces that reflect each founder’s personal style. Charity’s style embodies her work hard, play hard attitude, whereas Constance’s style reflects her flirty-adventurous persona. On the other hand, Stella’s style is playful yet elegant while Ciru’s style is more demure and functional. Want to see women you know featured on SLA? Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Elizabeth Bisher: I solved my problem then turned it into an opportunity
Ever had a business idea from your own experiences? We’re sure you’ve had several as a #MotherlandMogul. A good number of us leave our ideas as just that but Elizabeth Bisher took hers a step further. Concerned with losing weight after weaning her first child, Elizabeth stumbled upon electrotherapy. She went on to start Slim Therapy as a means to share her own brand of health and wellness. Slim Therapy has grown to be the first locally-owned weight loss franchise in Kenya. Through Slim Therapy, Elizabeth now helps other people reach their health goals through alternative weight loss treatments and nutrition and lifestyle coaching. Elizabeth’s vision is to provide employment through Slim therapy’s expansion- driven franchising platform. What’s the story behind Slim Therapy? Slim Therapy started with my own need to lose weight after weaning my first child. My weight spiked as he passed the eight-month mark. I began ballooning, pardon my expression! That is how I felt and became. I was naïve and knew very little about personal health and wellness. I was quite unaware that the food I was eating was affecting my body until I had gained over 12 kilos. This, I came to realize was true for a lot of women. I tried several methods to lose weight, which did not work effectively. I had a knee injury and back sensitivity, therefore I needed to be careful on experimenting with a different solutions. In my quest to lose weight and gain wellness, I discovered electrotherapy. I was hooked —it helped me build muscle mass and lose fat without doing impact exercise. It was ideal for me. My friends noticed my transformation and were curious. This is how Slim Therapy was born. I solved my problem and turned it into an opportunity. Slim Therapy has helped many individuals, especially those with reduced mobility to achieve health goals through alternative weight loss treatments and nutrition and lifestyle coaching. What did it feel like to launch something new in Kenya? It was daunting, scary, exciting and challenging, to say the least. Being an SME with little market share, I solve one challenge after the other. I had to use my resources effectively and work smart. Most importantly, I get to effectively communicate this new alternative to weight loss, and can swear that it works. After all, I was the living proof. If there was a communication gap, the information would have been filled with rumours and innuendos. We learned to counter this by always being open and honest with our clients. Fortunately, this led to more and more people willing to try it. And with the growing number of success stories, the information spread especially by word of mouth. It’s been 6 years and I do not regret a thing. Franchising of weight loss companies seems a novel idea in Kenya. How are you making it work? Aside fast food chains and clothing lines with foreign ownership, franchising has been a fairly new concept in the Kenyan market. There are no specific franchise laws in Kenya. Therefore, we relied heavily on existing commercial laws, including the Trade Marks Act (the Slim Therapy name and logo is Trade Marked) and the Copyright Act. These gave us a guideline of the legal requirements. Also, through personal research and on guidance from my mentor, we came up with a model fit for the Kenyan market. How does Slim Therapy incorporate franchising? Two years into running the first branch, the demand for our services was overwhelming in other regions within Nairobi and in towns in Kenya. I wanted to find a way to satisfy this demand, without compromising on management and quality of service. Of course, I knew it would impossible to be in all these towns at the same time. Interestingly, one of my clients came to me with a serious interest in running a similar clinic in Mombasa. And so we came up with franchising as an option. This would ensure that we gave the same quality of service despite having different managements. They rode on the credibility of the existing brand and we provided training, machinery, advertising and continuous support to them. Quite recently, we opened our third branch in Karen, Nairobi, under the same model. We are very proud. Tell us about some of the women who work with you. The women I work with are brilliant women who have overcome a lot of adversity to be where they are today. Some of my staff were from disadvantaged backgrounds but that actually served to spur their self confidence and abilities to learn and grow. Most of my employees require mentorship and confidence-building. I encourage them to keep pursuing their dreams and following their destinies by exposing them to new challenges and providing training for them. I have tried to build these traits by encouraging them to speak publicly. And to also express themselves eloquently in both written and spoken language at all times. In this vein, I encourage my employees to pursue their own business aspirations and mentor them to their full potentials. Some have natural talent and just need a boost. How can African women achieve the same success as you have? Firstly, it’s better to know that everyone’s journey is different. Do not try to be an imitation, you are unique and should strive to be. You do not have to reinvent the wheel. And even in using existing concepts, beat your own path. Secondly and very important, find a mentor. Understand that a mentor is not someone who makes the decisions for you. They are not your crutch. They are people to help you decide if your vision is compelling enough. Or send you back to the drawing board. And lastly, as much as you follow your passion, business boils down to profitability. Your business idea may be good, but if the market isn’t ready for it, be flexible. Think outside the box and be ready to adapt to changes. Tell us about receiving the Top 40 under 40 award. How did it motivate and spur you on? The morning the Top
The Empretec program is in Kenya. Here’s what you need to know
By now, it is no secret that the prestigious program, Empretec is now in Kenya. This came about after an intense week of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in Nairobi last month. After the formalities, it was announced that the Kenyan National Chamber of Commerce and Industry would be partnering with UNCTAD on this program. Mary Muthoni is the chairperson of the Women In Business committee at the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce. Empretec will mean a lot to Kenyan women as they get to benefit from the perks that come with being a part of the program. Some of these benefits are already being enjoyed by women in other African countries, like Zimbabwe. This will bring many benefits too Kenyan Motherland Moguls and we share some of them below. Capacity building Empretec offers a rich training program with a pool of 64 international trainers and 160 trained local trainers. These trainers are all about impacting personal development and business skills to participants who include women from the formal, informal and the employment sectors. Their curriculum is also tailored to international standards. Creating of life bonds amongst Empretec trainees Once a part of Empretec, you’re in it for life. The program follows up on its participants even after training as part of a lifelong relationship. Empretec sponsors follow up to see how the lessons learnt impacts the businesses of participants. It gets even better because you can always find a shoulder to lean on in the Empretec family. Networking and mentorship Ladies love conversations and it’s never a dull moment you can open up and create bonds. Empretec takes in women of all ages and orientation. So hanging out with other women in the program will always mean something new will be learnt. Also, Empretec has trained a large pool of women over the years since its establishment in 1988. Empretec’s presence in 37 countries means that when you join this community, you get to build a network with women from not only your home country. You’re part of a network of women from the rest of the thirty-six countries including Ethiopia, Ghana, Jordan, Botswana, Argentina, and Algeria. Smart girls know that their network is their net worth. Here you’ll need to be ready to establish contact with people from all walks of life. Be it the Motherland Moguls who have already established their businesses and are looking to offer seed funding for great business ideas or intelligent young women with brilliant ideas and that are looking for persons with expertise to partner with. Empretec is a well that keeps giving but never runs dry. Here, you get everything you need and all that’s required of you is to make it work. You’ll get to see that women from various developing countries face the same difficulties as you. And that the only way to emancipation is in finding long-term solutions for entrepreneurs. Locally certified trainers The availability of local trainers certified by the UN body means that members have access to the very best. With Empretec, you can have access to trainers with the know-how to get you through business challenges. This will help you confidently experiment with new ways of doing business . Obviously, the business field can be tricky, filled with uncertainties and other stress. You will need to have your hand held by the right people to navigate through these scenes and come out successful. Identifies and enhances personal opportunities Empretec’s training is personalized and depends on what stage you’re at in the business world. There will be people looking to venture into business for the first time and those with great business ideas needing guidance on breaking even. In addition, there are others already in the business scene and seeking to expand their visibility. Empretec will be a great space for Kenyan women to get answers and to learn how they can use their talent to make money . Eradication of poverty and social problems. Empretec encourages women to be social entrepreneurs. This means establishing businesses that seek to solve social, cultural and environmental problems. The purpose of these businesses is not just to make money but to also leave a positive mark on the society. Empretec encourages entrepreneurs to work towards achieving sustainable development goals even as they make their money. Awards and recognition Empretec honors her alumni at the Women in Business Awards. A Vietnamese lady, Tran Thi Viet won gold at this year’s awards for her company, Viet Trang Handicraft. Her company makes basket-woven goods from banana leaves, water hyacinth, corn leaves and bamboo. The company had a humble beginning but now exports goods worth $1000 million to the European Union. Viet Trang Handicraft went on to create employment for 250 weavers. This is the spirit of Empretec, to solve societal problems in our countries and at the same time make money for the entrepreneur. In summary, Empretec is the place to be for any woman seeking to make it in the business arena. The opportunities here are immense and ladies up for first dibs will definitely have more than enough to carry home. With all this said, it’s time for Motherland Moguls in Kenya to grab this opportunity!
Patricia Kihoro: Create the work you want!
Patricia Kihoro needs no introduction. The multi-talented Kenyan singer and actress has only grown since becoming a finalist at Tusker Project Fame 3 (TPF) in 2009. Now, Patricia has produced her own musical stage show, worked with a variety of renowned musicians and performed across Europe. Through all this, what matters most to Patricia is harnessing positivity and creating a great product. “As people in the creative industry, we are always tarmacking. I got to a place in life where I decided I wasn’t going to stay in the house waiting for work so I created the work I wanted ”, Patricia says. Obviously, music is not all there is to you. Tell us about the other things you do. As an entertainer, my interest spans singing, acting, writing, stage performances and photography. In the spirit of creating work for myself, I wrote, directed and produced my own stage show, Life in the Single Lane, a narrative involving interactive storytelling, acting and singing. The name was inspired by my then single status. In this show, I had put in all my savings and was a bit nervous. The play sold out, reaffirming my belief in authenticity. Life in the Single Lane was not fiction, I was not acting, I was being me. I wanted to create a product that was original and authentic. It ended up being something that people were comfortable bringing their friends, parents and even their teenage children to watch. Evidently, the love bug bit again and it’s a wrap for Life in the Single Lane, literally. So, how much of our personal issues should we let into our businesses? When creating a product, say a play or music, my current state of mind matters a lot. I know I am my greatest enemy. But the good thing is, I was able to harness into my heartbreak positively and create a great product. You were in the Because You Said So stage show. How was it? In 2014, along with a group of friends led by Jason Runo, we staged an improv comedy show dubbed ‘Because You Said So’, a hilarious comedy improvisation stage show. Improv comedy is a form of live standup comedy that is unscripted and entails off the cuff responses to scenarios created by a host. The show has gone on to enjoy tremendous success over the past 2 years. Do you worry about everyday things other entrepreneurs worry about? I mean issues like paying bills or paying late. As a creative especially, I worry that my product may not be good enough. Tell us about your radio show. What kind of music do you play? My radio job at HBR 103.5 is something I take pride in. My show Afrocentral showcases urban and contemporary music from across Africa. I also host creatives making waves on the continent. There’s a lot of good music out there, songs that don’t enjoy any or enough airplay. This is the kind of music I play. Africans are so talented. My greatest joy is when I receive feedback from delighted listeners who call in asking more about the music or the artist. This sounds like a fun and easy job. Is it? I sometimes have to turn the internet upside down looking for music on YouTube and even reaching out to artists directly. Before HBR, I worked at 1 FM radio as a News Presenter. I would say persistence and networking have helped a lot. You’re also an actress. Tell us about it. I was cast on MNET’s production Changes (my first TV gig), Sauti and Rush TV pilots and the 1st & 2nd season of Groove Theory (Africa’s first ever musical TV series). These were not roles that were handed to me. I had to rigorously audition for each and every one of them. I have even had to audition for a role in my best friend’s production. You’re multi-talented but do you ever suffer indecisiveness, especially with what project to do and when? Unfortunately, I can never choose music over my acting, radio or vice versa. These are all abilities that make up who I am as a creative person. Of course, I become indecisive at times. Some friends have advised me to concentrate on one thing, say music. But if I did that I feel I would be selling myself short. Are you involved in other ventures outside the creative industry? Besides being involved in the creative industry, I am one of the mentors at Blaze. Blaze is a recently launched platform that empowers youths to be in control of their careers and future while helping them succeed in their specific chosen fields. It is a sub-brand of Safaricom, a leading mobile service provider in Kenya. I also mentor in media, arts, and journalism. How are you inspired? I keep a group of close-knit friends who inspire, build and challenge me to grow in my career. We want your stories! Tell us what amazing things women are doing in your communities here.
Christine Kanana Mukira: Passion, the secret ingredient for a yogurt-making startup
Christine Kanana Mukira is a young entrepreneur with an academic background in law, business administration, and office management. Kanana quit her NGO job to start a yogurt-making business in Nairobi, Kenya. Maureen Murori, our SLA contributor paid a visit to an enthusiastic Kanana who shared her dream of having a one-stop shop for fresh, natural, products straight from the farm to her clients’ kitchens. It’s early Saturday morning. After beating the Nairobi traffic, I head to meet a lady whose yogurt business is gaining roots. She had promised to let me in on what keeps her going even when business goes south. Christine Kanana Mukira meets me at the entrance to an estate in Ngara. It is situated on the outskirts of Nairobi central business district. We sit outside her shop, which she co-owns with another business owner. While Kanana’s specialty is the production of natural yogurt, her friend makes fresh fruit juice. “I don’t think I’m an entrepreneur,” Kanana worriedly tells me as she settles into a chair opposite mine. After pleasantries and small talk to break the ice, she relaxes and takes me through her entrepreneurial journey. Kanana had always had an entrepreneurial spirit, way before her current yogurt business. Back in 2013, she used to own a poultry business but had to leave Nairobi when she got a job with an NGO. She worked in the social development world and enjoyed helping community members. But this was not to be for long, she wanted something different. “I needed a new challenge”, Kanana told me. After three years, she had had enough of being an employee. She quit and went back into running her own business. This time, it was yogurt making. Why yogurt? “After some research, I was concerned about the ingredients used in making yogurt, things easily found in supermarkets like milk powder, lots of sugars and flavours,” Kanana says. “I wanted to create a product that used purely natural milk and natural sugars.” According to Kanana, her yogurt is made of pure milk, natural vanilla plant, strawberries, and natural sugars. Her six-month-old business which started with just three litres of milk has since grown to over forty liters a week, and demand is still growing. ”To get to forty liters a week was not easy”, Kanana admits. She said were it not for her passion, she would have given up a long time ago. When she first started out, she was fortunate to not only find a reliable and affordable fresh milk vendor but also customers who believed in her new product. Without prior knowledge or skills, Kanana says she had to practically do everything from sourcing for milk, collection, producing yogurt, and even sales. However, she learned quickly how to get some of the workloads off her shoulders. With the increasing yogurt demands, she was able to convince her vendor to deliver milk at her shop once a week, or as demand increased. The challenges so far No sooner had she tackled the delivery challenge than another popped up. She realized that sometimes, customers did not drink as much yogurt as she had produced. Because she didn’t use preservatives, by the end of a week, she had to give out yogurt for free before it could go bad. The weather can also be a challenge for her business. “When it is cold, as it is now, not many customers drink yogurt. They prefer hot beverages,” Kanana said. She has since reduced the number of litres she makes per week especially during the rainy season in Nairobi. Is she seeking to become wealthy from the business? Although she acknowledges that capital can be a challenge for some entrepreneurs, she quips “a business idea is capital in itself.” “Wealth is the ultimate goal for every entrepreneur,” Kanana states, “but passion is the driving force, and love for the business makes it even easier and more enjoyable!” She cautions entrepreneurs not to be in haste to make profit from a startup. Business is a risk and stability usually begins between the sixth month and the first year, and for some, even longer. Eventually, only the passionate and patient remain strong enough to watch their business take shape. Future plans Kanana wants to expand to the sale of more natural products so she can encourage people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Since her business is located within an estate, she hopes to be the source of all natural products for homes within the locality. “My dream is to have a one-stop shop where I can sell fresh, natural, products straight from the farm to my client’s kitchen,” says the enthusiastic entrepreneur whose inspiration comes from her entrepreneurial parents. Kanana believes that natural products will help fight some of the nutrition-related chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, among others. Kanana says that customers often ask for fresh milk, and she is thinking of diversifying into that direction. Although many supermarkets have introduced milk dispensers, Kanana says this is not a challenge for her. After all, the stores specialize in skimmed milk, while she will go for whole milk which she says has more nutritional values for children, pregnant women and the elderly. Advice for other entrepreneurs Kanana urges upcoming entrepreneurs to ensure the right location for their businesses. This way, customers can easily access your product. And also, you’d enjoy proximity to raw materials needed for production. As for friends, the young entrepreneur says, “in business, you will lose or gain friends. Some will support you, and others will not even want to be associated with you.” How it all ended One good thing about interviewing entrepreneurs is that you get to taste their products or to take souvenirs home. I was in luck today. I was served some natural strawberry yogurt. It was thick, smooth, fruity and delicious! Tell us what amazing entrepreneurial things women are doing in your communities here.
Kate Mayeye: I’m the Kenyan designer who is inspired by Nigerian fashion
Kate Mayeye is a Kenyan fashion designer and the CEO of African Fabric & Designs Kenya Ltd. Kate is inspired by her love for unique African prints and, in particular, the Nigerian fashion industry. Recently, she had the rare chance of styling an award-winning Nigerian actress, Angela Okorie for three high profile, red carpet events. Kate shares with SLA her love for fashion, the opportunities it provides and how she is introducing a different fashion culture to Kenya. Why African Fabric & Designs Kenya Ltd? I love to stand out, and showcasing Africa’s unique culture has given me that opportunity. I am looking to place the African print on the world map. It would gladen my heart to see other people, not just Africans, embrace it. Why are you drawn to the Nigerian fashion industry and how did you come across it? I am married to a Nigerian. My husband and I love the impeccable finishing on designs made by Nigerians. I also wanted to introduce a different fashion culture in Kenya, and Nigeria has been the perfect reference as she is at the forefront of the African fashion market. Nigerians are the ‘who’ to watch for when it comes to fashion styles and trends in Africa. How did you get the chance to dress Angela Okorie? Were there any challenges? Angela Okorie was in Kenya a few months ago. The occasion was the pre-production of a dramatic comedy starring her, Mike Ezuruonye, Huddah Monroe and Mumbi Maina among others. Former Miss Kenya 2014, now actress and producer, Juliet Ochieng had approached me concerning the Nigeria-Kenya collaborated movie titled Brother Jekwe. I was the costume designer for the movie which Juliet also co-produced, my job was to provide outfits and accessories to support the narrative. The biggest challenge in dressing Angela was her busy filming schedules. Our fittings sessions were practically non-existent but I’m glad things turned out great. What would you say to a fashion designer whose dream is to dress celebrities? In dealing with celebrities, be cautious. Focus on what they want, but make suggestions on what best fits. Be sure to communicate what you can or can’t do. Simply, be honest. What do you look out for in selecting fabrics? When selecting a fabric, I look out for the uniqueness of the print, the thread count, colour-fast quality and the strength of the fabric. I don’t condone shrinkage or fading when it concerns my fabric. If you were on a deserted island and could only take one piece of clothing, what would it be? Well, let’s see. I would definitely take a Dera. It’s multipurpose. What challenges have you encountered in your business? Perfecting customer order has always been a challenge, especially when you have to depend on hired hands. But we learn and grow daily with every experience. The biggest challenge remains power blackouts. Traffic, courier clearance bottlenecks, and of course unforeseen circumstances are also issues we’ve had to deal with. What advice will you give to young African women looking to start a business? Every business owner requires a huge passion, commitment, and a strong support system. Be your own motivator, some days are going to be tougher than others but you can do it. With God on your side, it can only get better. 2 year plan? Tell us about it I’m working on business expansion, opening up more outlets to showcase our amazing designs. These designs would feature locally produced prints and materials that represent the different African cultures. What other projects are you involved with besides African Fabric and designs limited? I am a partner with an events and social media management company, DiMaye Media and also a one-third partner in a supplies and Maintenance firm- Tatu Dallas Supplies and Maintenance Ltd. Which celebrity did you love designing for? Every client is a star in my eyes. They are my celebrities. If you’d like to share your story with She Leads Africa, let us know more about you and your story here.
7 African Women to watch at #Rio2016
The stakes are high this time of the year as Rio2016 kick off. Lots of hopes and dreams are riding on this year’s wins. The national pride of certain countries is at stake at the sporting event as those of us living in African countries stayed up late to watch the opening ceremonies. Btw did you know that the Olympics started in 776 B.C. in Greece where the first Olympian, Coroebus won the single event, a 192-metre foot-race? In 2016, we’re all about the African women doing us proud at the Olympics. Out of this year’s lot, lets’ focus on seven African sportswomen who we’ll be keeping an eye on as the event unfolds. Yolande Mabika This 28-year-old judoka (a person who practices or is an expert in judo) is a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She’ll be participating in this year’s Olympics under that flag. There’s no shying away from it Yolande has suffered to get to where she is now. She’s slept on the street, and worked as a sweeper and at a textile mill. In 2013, she qualified for the World Judo Championships held in Brazil. She sought asylum in Brazil and started training at the Instituto Reação, a judo school founded by a former Olympic bronze medalist. She is aiming for gold at Rio2016 under the women’s 70kg category. #MotherlandMogul lesson: Nothing should hold you back the way nothing held Yolande back. We’ll be keeping our fingers crossed that she gets the gold she’s aiming for. Vivian Cheruiyot Known as ‘pocket rocket’ due to her short stature, Vivian is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specializes in track and cross country running. She has a massive track record under her belt but her most notable moments include how she lost 17kgs after giving birth. Vivian did this in order to compete in the 2013 International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Athletics Championships 10,000m gold medal in Beijing, China. She won that by the way. These aren’t Vivian’s first Olympics. She scooped 2nd and 3rd place in the 2012 Olympics for women’s 5000m and 10,000m respectively. She has also crowned Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year 2012. In Rio this year, she is doubling up in the women’s 5000m and 10000m. #MotherlandMogul lesson: There’s always room to do better and improve on your best. Vivian has pushed herself to do better and succeeded. She won and we can learn from her by pushing ourselves to win too. Hortence Vanessa Mballa Atangana Another judoka on the list, Vanessa has been flying the Cameroonian flag high since 2013 when she won the African Championships where she won a bronze medal in the women’s 78kg category. She also scooped third place in the Commonwealth games of 2014. In this year’s Olympics, she is going for gold in the same category. Margret Rumat Rumat Hassan Margret’s story is touching. The 19-year-old will be one of South Sudan’s two athletes to participate in the Olympics. She is from Wau, a South Sudan city, where, as recently as 2015, this world-class athlete didn’t even have access to a gym. Against all odds, she trained her way to the 2014 Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China. There she competed in the Women’s 400m as an Independent Olympic Athlete. This was even before South Sudan was recognized. She is aiming to be first or second at Rio2016 in the women’s 200m. #MotherlandMogul lesson: Margret forged a path where there was none before. Some people spend their lives training to be athletes in world-class gyms, Margret didn’t have access to that last year. And still, she stands. Blessing Okagbare Blessing also holds many feathers in her cap. This Nigerian track and field athlete specializes in long jumping and short sprints is an Olympic and World Championships medalist in the long jump. Blessing is also a world medalist in the 200 metres. She holds the Women’s 100 metres Commonwealth Games record for the fastest time at 10.85 seconds. Her 100m best of 10.79 made her the African record holder for the event until it was eclipsed by Murielle Ahoure in 2016. She was the African 100m and long jump champion in 2010. She has also won medals at the All-Africa Games, IAAF Continental Cup and World Relays. As a sign of her prowess, she is poised to take part in four events during Rio2016: women’s long jump, women’s 100m, women’s 200m and women’s 4x100m relay. Genzebe Dibaba This Ethiopian middle- and long-distance runner is destined for great things. Genzebe is the sister of three-time Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba and Olympic silver medalist Ejegayehu Dibaba, and the cousin of former Olympic champion Derartu Tulu. Her veins are literally flow with the blood of a winner. However, that’s not to say her own efforts are for nothing. Genzebe was the 2012 World Indoor Champion for the 1500m, and is the reigning 2014 World Indoor Champion and World Indoor Record Holder in the 3000m. She represented Ethiopia at the 2012 Summer Olympics and has twice competed at the World Championships in Athletics (2009 and 2011). Genzebe was named Laureus Sportswoman of the Year for the 2014 year and was 2015 IAAF World Athlete of the Year. She is the current world record holder for the 1500m (both indoor and outdoor), the indoor 3000m, the indoor 5000m, the indoor mile, and the indoor two miles. She is looking to win the women’s 1500 m track and field event at Rio2016. #MotherlandMogul lesson: We know we mentioned this before but…look at Genzebe’s family! The Dibaba family, aka the “world’s fastest family” are goals for how healthy families can reach their peaks and excel. They challenge us to ask, how can we work with our families to ensure that everyone stays winning? Caster Semenya A middle-distance runner, South African Caster Semenya’s track record is bright. It all started in the 2008 World Junior Championships, where she won the gold in the 800m at the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games. In
8 skills you need to make money as a freelance transcriber
Working from home or remotely provides you with the flexibility to work whenever and however. Still, remote jobs should be approached with as much professionalism as a desk job. Here, SLA contributor Maureen Murori speaks to an established freelance transcriber who has been working remotely for the past seven years. Over the years, Sheeroh Murega Kiarie has not only learned what works best for her but has also been offering training and support to the newcomers in the field. From talking with Sheeroh, Maureen learned that essential to any transcribing job are listening, English language, typing, and research skills. Outside these, a new transcriber also needs to know when to work and when to take time off to relax. Sheeroh explains in detail how these skills can come in handy for an upcoming transcriber (or a stagnating one). Read on to get all the insight. What is transcribing and how did you venture into this field? Transcribing is the art of transforming audio into text. This is done through listening and typing out a speech or a narrative into a printed format. I had been a stay-at-home mom since 2008 when I gave birth to my daughter. Before then, I had been employed at a cooperative, but I quit to start my own business. After some time in the business, I felt like I needed a challenge. I mentioned this to my mom, who fortunately had heard about ‘typing jobs online’. I embarked on a journey to research on this. Luckily, on Googling ‘typing jobs online’, I got information on transcription jobs. The search led me to Odesk and Elance (online platforms that offer work to freelancers). Being a new area for me, I did a lot of research and read widely on the challenge. I later signed up and got to work. Are there a specific set of skills and strategies that one needs to succeed in this field? Yeah. There are four major skills. Listening: Very essential to transcribing is listening as it enables you to efficiently transliterate the work. Since transcribers deal with different accents, having a good ear for many accents will come in handy. English: Since most often one will be transcribing in English, having a good command of the language is essential. Many of the files we transcribe are from Native English speakers. For a transcript to be highly accurate, it is important that a transcriber maintains good grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Typing: You should type at least 35 words per minute (wpm). It takes an average experienced transcriber 4-5 hours to transcribe an hour-long audio or video file. The faster you can type, the more work you can handle. This skill can easily be improved through continuous practice. Research: A transcriber will typically deal with files that have technical or non-technical terms. This requires a lot of research, especially if one is not familiar with that field of work. For example, transcribers sometimes receive files that are IT-based. Every time that a transcriber is dealing with an unfamiliar field, they should carry out extensive research. Other than these important skills you have highlighted, what kind of tools does a new transcriber require? What are some of the managerial expertise that one need? Having the skills I have mentioned above is important, but there are other things to put into consideration: Tools of work: The first thing you want to get is a laptop or a desktop. It is also important to consider getting affordable and reliable internet connectivity and headphones. Ensure that you also get a comfortable ergonomic seat because transcription work can take hours and hours. You also need to install apps that help to clean the sound quality of the files. Lastly, Express Scribe is very crucial. This is a software that helps to ease transcription work. It is set in a way that the platform can allow listening and typing simultaneously on the same window. Time Management: Working from home can be very distracting. Distractions come in the form of children or the occasional visitor who wants to pop in for a chat. Transcribers also need to be conscious of the time they spend on social media. Preferably, you should log into social media platforms after work. It’s also important to have a schedule. Decide what time you’ll wake up and when you’ll call it a day. Having a work-plan increases productivity. Lastly, you should keep away from people who are out to waste your time with ‘cheap’ talk online, on the phone or at home. You can always do this after hours. One recommended tool for efficient freelance working is Time management software .The software helps you track the time you spend on different tasks, alert you when you get distracted by social media, and even alerts you when your computer is idle for a certain time. Once you practice using time management software, you will notice that you save lots of time every day and are being more efficient than ever. Work Management: A typical transcriber should wake up, check their emails and respond to urgent messages. Thereafter, you could start bidding for work on bidding sites or log in to whichever sites you are registered in. If it’s the latter, you will pick an audio file and listen to it to gauge whether you can transcribe it effectively. If you are comfortable with the file, it will be assigned to you. It is recommended that transcribers take periodic breaks to avoid back aches, shoulder aches and neck aches. Managing Clients: Freelance transcribers deal with all sorts of clients on a day to day basis. Most of them are sober-minded but once in a while, one can get difficult clients. You may want to read reviews of the clients written by other freelancers before applying for a job. No matter how hard-headed some clients are you should remain as polite and professional as possible. The lifeblood of your business is the repeat or long-term clients.The key to
What the misadventures of Koffi Olomide tell us about violence against women
Koffi Olomide has had quite a week. To be honest with you, I’d never heard the name before. My taste in music seems to run parallel with his specialties. I got to know him recently though, and for all the wrong reasons. If you aren’t aware already, let me fill you in. The renown rhumba singer from the Democratic Republic of Congo was kicked off Kenyan soil on July 22 after clearly kicking one of his dancers. On the same day of his arrival and still at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, he assaulted the lady in front of Kenyan airport police and the media. Now, in another place and time, this incident would have blown over pretty quickly after a few comments thrown around here and there and a slot in the day’s prime-time news. He’s a celebrity after all. All publicity is good publicity. Unfortunately for Olomide, these are different times.As soon as the videos of his assault hit the interwebs, a barrage of condemnation and censure descended upon him like hell-fire in the form of social media outcries, especially on Twitter. The 60-year-old singer, known for acting on his anger outbursts, was not getting away with it this time. The jig was up. Olomide’s scheduled performance was cancelled after public outcries to boycott it. He was then taken to the police station and deported, along with three of his dancers the very next day. Catching up on these events, what first came to my mind was, “Shame on you!” I don’t get how a man old enough to be my father was caught kicking a woman. When confronted about the issue Olomide gave some nonsensical excuse about protecting the lady from muggers. Bah! I wasn’t hearing it. And neither were a lot of people, men and women alike. Even the higher-ups of Kenyan society spoke out. In a statement, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Youth and Gender affairs, Sicily Kariuki, described his conduct as an insult to Kenyans. The Constitution states that violence against women and girls cannot be accepted in any shape, form or manner. When he landed back in Kinshasa, Olomide was received by a wave of jeers from the gathered crowd. He was booed by fans as he left the airport for his house in Kinshasa. Following this fiasco, Zambia, where the singer had a series of shows, also cancelled his performances. One of the organisers of that show Njoya Tembo, said, “Koffi has proved to be violent when musicians are generally peace ambassadors.” But it did not end there. Olomide was then charged with assault in a Kinshasa court and sentenced to three months in jail. This came after a rigorous campaign to have him arrested was started by Congressman Zakarie Bababaswe, who had filed a petition on behalf of the Congolese public to get the musician punished for assault. His arrest – which was ordered by the attorney-general– was received with jubilation by locals and foreigners, who feel justice must be done for all, and especially in enforcing women’s rights. As I watched all these events unfold in the space of a week, I just knew I was witnessing a revolution. African countries have generally lagged behind in condemning (and enforcing laws against) violence towards women. Yes efforts are being made, but it is taking longer for us to see the effects. However, this outward condemnation of a seasoned musician in the face of his actions is a sign of progress. If even he can be charged in court and receive a sentence to serve jail time, then we are definitely moving in the right direction. To that I say, hongera! (Swahili for ‘congratulations’). My cheering didn’t last very long. After just one day, Olomide was released from prison on July 28. For some weird reason, another twitter campaign got him out. This campaign was started after an outcry from his team for DRC to rally behind the singer as he had been ‘unfairly prosecuted’. Please tell me, what unfair prosecution are they referring to? He got what he deserved as far as I’m concerned. Kicking a woman is inexcusable, especially with his past record of similar transgressions. But you know, what? I still see a victory. Africa has learned something. One cannot get away scot-free for such gender-based violence any longer. Olomide’s trials through the past week will serve as a warning to anyone else even thinking that they can get away with such actions. It is a victory for women in Africa. Mess with us and you’ll receive a stern reminder that we are people too and assault is assault. You can go to jail for that, whether you’re famous or not. Motherland Moguls, what do you think of the singer being released from his sentence? Sound off below in the comments.
Janet Kibuthu’s 5 tips on setting up a solid communication firm
I met Janet Kibuthu, a solid entrepreneur in the communications space, at the recently concluded She Hive Nairobi. She has a communications and advertising background and a Master’s degree in finance. Interesting, isn’t it? I thought so too. “A lot of people do not understand why I had to study finance, and the reason I give them is that when setting up a communications firm, financial knowledge is crucial. Without financial literacy you will be setting yourself up for a major disaster”, she posits. She is a passionate business woman whose vision is to empower women and girls with the resources to thrive in business and life. Janet publishes one online magazine for women in business, “Lady Entrepreneur” and another for spiritual nourishment, “Truth and Spirit”. Her book, “Weight Loss for Moms”, helps women who have just had babies to not only maintain a healthy lifestyle but to also enhance their self-esteem and regain their foothold as new mothers. Further to that, she is an entrepreneur running a communications outfit named Eclecti Communications. Eclecti communications, is a leader in design, communications, and marketing especially for the real estate and hospitality industries. “We offer state of the art branding and communications solutions especially for commercial properties and hotels .We connect with consumers and developers especially through opportunities the digital space offers”, she adds. The reason Eclecti communications is advancing at this niche market is that, in real estate there’s an ever-increasing demand for homes, hotel investment products and office spaces. She adds that a huge chunk of the company’s clients in the diaspora; UK, Canada and the United States. This is an area of communications and branding that Janet feels young people could capitalize on. So how does one build such an empire? – No fear: Janet asserts that fear is an element that never goes away and could be an impediment that will keep most people away from their destinies. Just do it. – Surround yourself with like-minded people: Look for mentors who will see something special in you and will assist you to add value to your life. – Financial management: Is a crucial life skill when it comes to entrepreneurship. How are you going to run a business if you can’t budget, read financial statement, or if you can’t figure out your liabilities vis a vis your assets. With these sound tips Janet further advises that there are a lot of opportunities out there for young women, the secret is to go all out and take complete advantage of them. – Take the risk: starting a business doesn’t have to be capital intensive but one should at least have some resources to expose the company to potential clients. Visibility is key when setting up a new company and it costs money. – Have faith: The one person who will make or break the company is the owner. It’s simple, if you do not believe in the company, no one will.