BIG THINGS BREWING…

Hello there! I hope you are having a fantastic end to your July. This year time keeps whizzing by and before you can catch a break a new month is ready to begin. As we “recover” from Obama’s visit to Kenya (hands up if you still don’t know what POTUS means, haha! Probably the most googled word last week!)and the positive effects from the GES Summit, I thought I would let you in on something remarkable that is brewing.

I have been blogging since February 2014 and for a long time I have envisioned transitioning to a full website. Transitioning into a new site would serve as an open canvas with a depth of possibility. Well, this dream is finally materialising. In celebration of this amazing feat, it is fitting to organise a launch to unveil the new site.

Proceed to mark your calendars for Saturday 29^th August 2015 when we will be hosting our inaugural event dubbed “The fruition of a dream”. It will be an afternoon like no other; of unveiling the Calibrated Blossom website alongside fireside chats with stellar Kenyan personalities and culminating in a celebration of our local Kenyan music. It is an excellent opportunity for the young and upwardly mobile Kenyan to meet and rub shoulders with some of Kenya's most remarkable personalities. It is also a celebration of Kenya’s entrepreneurial culture giving a platform to fantastic businesses to showcase what their businesses have to offer.

This launch will also give us an opportunity to share the remarkable and ambitious plan to make Calibrated Blossom a brand that you and I can identify with. A brand that people between the ages of 23-35 all over the world can identify with.  I envision it as a place that people can find inspiration, be challenged, find useful advice applicable to various facets of their lives. A place where potential connections can be made, a refreshing haven, where ideas can be exchanged and birthed; a melting pot of opportunity, inspiration and possibility. I want this to be a brand that has never been seen in Kenya, Africa and the world over!!

I recently run a quick survey on my social media sites on the following question “If you could spend 30minutes in a one-on-one conversation with a Kenyan personality of your choice, who would that be and why?” It was intriguing to see the depth of responses I received and the reasons behind the choice of individual. What was amazing was that the responses cut across individuals in diverse fields; from enterprise, to corporate leaders, media personalities, political figures, bloggers, and ambassadors… the list is indeed endless. It’s great that people hold such remarkable men and women in high regard. Given the opportunity, they would be willing to spend some time in a tête-à-tête and perhaps sneak in a selfie! (You know?!) This event hopes to do just that and give you that opportunity.

Indeed it is an opportunity to celebrate the fruition of dreams.

I will be posting more event details as the date approaches, with the anticipated personalities who will be in attendance, a list of six entrepreneurs who will be showcasing their businesses and unveiling the local musical talent. Look out for the event details SOON! 
Note: In order for guests to derive ABSOLUTE value, this will ideally be a small gathering therefore limited tickets will be on sale.

2015 is indeed OUR year! Do you have a dream? Does it seem crazy? Are you going for it? If so, keep at it!

Book Swap

Have you ever been to a book swap? If you're like me, then you probably haven't! Haha

I would like to introduce you to the idea of a book swap. So what exactly is book swap? A book swap involves the swapping of books between people. It's a practice among book groups, friends and colleagues giving one an opportunity to exchange books, find out about new books  and make awesome connections.

This Sunday 12th July, Mwanaume ni Effort presents the MNE Book Swap. Mwanaume ni Effort (MNE) is a lifestyle brand dedicated to uplifting and refining young Africans through fashion, events, education and charity.

Location: Leilani House, Lenana Road. (Leilani's is located at the end of Dennis Pritt Road)

Time: From 2pm

Charges: Kshs 500 at the gate

Come with any books you would like to share, swap or giveaway. There will be lots of food, drink, amazing conversation, and an open mic session where readers will share their favourite excerpts from their favorite books. Please bring a book or two to swap. The more, the merrier!

Imagine an afternoon of book swapping in the backdrop of music, lovely Sangria& wine and amazing company; where you can have a decent engaging conversation, meet like-minded people and have a fabulous time.

See you there. Until then, happy reading!

If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what book he reads- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Woman of steel- Rehmat Sumra

In the male-dominated scrap metal industry, Rehmat Sumra has managed to make a name for herself. At the tender age of 19 she became MD of Roma Scrap Metal Dealers Limited and has since steered it to great heights.

I grew up in Mombasa and my family later moved to Kisumu. My life spurned the normal life of a teenager. During school holidays I kept busy helping my mother to run and balance the accounts in our family-run business.

I completed school in 2004 and enrolled for a Diploma in International Commerce at the University of Toronto in Canada. I was studying in Canada when my mother suffered a stroke. I quickly returned to Kenya to run the family business. I previously never saw myself in the family business.

Looking back I believe my family background impacted on my career goals. Watching my parents run the family business drew me into the scrap metal industry. The company supplies scrap metal to lead manufacturers and steel mills. I began as an administrative assistant and was later made CEO at the age of nineteen.

I do not have a typical day. My day involves a balance of home and work. My day begins at 5am with prayer. I get my daughter ready for school and leave for work. My work involves correspondence with clients, seeking new business opportunities and supervising and overseeing the company’s operations.

Working in the scrap metal industry has taught me to deftly manoeuvre this informal sector. Having confidence has been handy in this male-dominated industry. Learning to deal with industry stakeholders has enabled the company to broaden its operations to Kisumu and Mombasa.

I actively engaged in strengthening the Kenya Iron and Scrap Metal Association. I cautioned on the dangers and implications of vandalism. This helped to reduce the rift between dealers in the business and management of national firms.

In my early days running the company, I was faced with a myriad of challenges such as business deals gone wrong. I would take it personally, like it was my failure. But I learnt that it can happen to anybody.

Through the years I have learnt that it is important to separate business and personal life. Never let your business affect your personal life. Never take matters to heart.

I am married and have a daughter who is three years old. Motherhood is a beautiful thing. It is possible to achieve the intricate balance of business and motherhood. I remember when I was a new mum I made a nursery for my daughter at work; I somehow developed this need to be constantly around my daughter.

I believe my responsibility towards society is to be an excellent wife, mother and business executive. Women can excel both at work and at home.

My husband and I love travelling. Since we got married we have travelled to all continents except Australia. My dream destinations in the future would be Mexico, Cuba and Switzerland.

My husband and I partnered together to start Aayat Enterprises Limited in 2014. It is a building and construction company that aims to empower the youth.

I returned to school to complete my studies. I graduated from Catholic University with a degree in political science with a bias in economics. Despite the fact that my education was cut short when my mother fell ill, I have deeply believed in the power of education. I wished to set an example to my siblings.

I am always disheartened by the suffering of disadvantaged children. I have adopted fifteen children with special needs, mainly suffering from cerebral malaria, cancer and brain tumours. We cannot continue thriving in business as a country while ignoring the plight of the less fortunate.

Success to me is being happy; and I can say that I am happy. As long as you know what you are doing then actively pursue it. You need to have that drive inside you because at the end of the day, if you do not want it you are not going to get it!

2014 Top 40 under 40 Award

This article is featured in True Love East Africa Magazine July 2015 issue.

All rights reserved 

Half year reflections

We are already six months into the year. Would you believe that? It’s amazing how fast time is moving.

My half year has been riddled with ups and downs. The greatest difficulty has been dealing with disappointments and change. It is especially painful and difficult when it feels like life is dealing you one difficult situation after another.  On the flip side however, is that superb things have happened along the way and I am deeply appreciative of them. What do you do when things go unplanned? When things go wrong?  When situations cast some self-doubt and you question yourself? When you have to question whether you’re good enough for something; even when factors around you seem to suggest that you aren’t as good. Here are a few reflections that have helped me in dealing with disappointments and regaining my perspective.

 

1. Allow yourself to feel the emotions. You could be dealing with difficult intricacies at work, or treading along the thin ice of a failing or failed relationship, or battling disappointments from loved ones, a single mother coming to terms with an absentee spouse or better half or dealing with the repercussions of that important presentation or pitch that went horribly wrong. The list is indeed endless, and I have found that a situation or setback is highly personal. You cannot begin to compare your situation, or to diminish a situation you find yourself in. You are highly unique and what happens to you is purely personal. I am slowly learning that it is important to let yourself experience the emotions that come with each situation. Allow yourself to feel what you are feeling, without an agenda of rushing it or speeding up the process of moving on. Just. Let. It. Be.
2. Don’t take it personally. When you take something personally, it unnecessarily narrows your point of view and prevents the acquiring of wisdom, which is an ability to see life from a deeper, broader, more meaningful perspective. 
3. Take a big picture perspective. The ability to self-reflect is the essence of good mental health. Take some time to explore what is happening for you around this event – what it means to you and what it has taught you about life.
4. Don’t let it shake you. This one is difficult. It’s easy to really question yourself when things go wrong. It’s not uncommon to find yourself doubting yourself, your character, your potential and your ability. I have learnt, and I’m continually learning, that disappointment doesn’t necessarily reflect on our weaknesses and inadequacies. It serves as a light to better understand ourselves, understand our capabilities, our emotional intelligence& soundness, and embrace acceptance. The way forward and solutions may not necessarily be clear, but believe me they are there. All it needs is time, some soul-searching and reflection and most importantly seeking out advice from those around you.
5. Embrace change. Change is amazing. The more you embrace it, the more you open up to amazing possibilities. You unlock a side of you, and some great opportunities that you previously did not know existed. Admittedly it is a painful and slow process, but the growth that comes out of it is undoubtedly far more rewarding.

You learn so much from things that happen to you, disappointments do not define you. What defines you is your ability to handle the situation, embrace the situation and keep your head above the water.

I hope this helps you in dealing with the rigours that life has dealt you. It’s been a tough first half of the year on different fronts in my life. Life is complicated, difficult and a roller coaster in itself. But life is indeed beautiful, do not let that beauty pass you by.

Love and light.