 A very, very good entrepreneurship to use day morning to you. You are watching Why in the Morning on Y-5-4 channel. I hope you didn't catch that interview with Juan Barry Mosses and you have met the inventor. But it's about time we meet someone else who is more involved in leadership, marketing, social media influence, procurements, financial, training. He's a jack of all trades. And it's about time I introduce the founder of Alpha Maestro. He goes by the name of Sa Kennedy Waweru and I will allow him to say good morning to you before we further delve into the interview. Good morning, audience. I'm Sa Kennedy Waweru, the founder of Alpha Maestro, a marketing company and also the deputy director of Maestro's leadership team based in Kenya. And I'm an event organizer, I'm a part-time DJ, I'm also a social media influence. I'm a jack of all trades, let's just... You know, Nekana, it's true. Yes, yes. Okay, you said that your journey when it came to marketing and social media began with events. So can I understand the background? Okay, after finishing campus in 2015, I pursued DJing and events. And upon doing it for a year, I saw there was an agape whereby linking the client with an event organizer was a problem. So I decided to market, to help market between the DJ or the event organizers or somebody who needs the client or a tenant or something like that. So I started the Alpha Maestro's whereby I could link up different people. By now it has grown, I'm doing, I've diversified. I'm also linking up people. Wait, wait. Before we go into the diversification, I would like to do... I would like us to talk about your action plan. When you identified that gap, what was the first thing that you did? Did you write down anything? Did you write any plans, any goals? Did you set aside any money? Did you talk to someone in specific who has done it? What was your action plan like when you decided when you saw this gap exist? I talked to my life coach, people who I look up to, people who train me concerning life and the issues of life. So they advised and they saw it was a good idea and they helped me also in sourcing of funds for the startup. I did a business plan, working with various budgets for DJing because I had been there for a year. So I knew maybe this will do, this can do. And I also increased the equipments and all that. So once I started out, it was an easy ride. But with time I got to learn and also to explore and to grow into different grounds now, apart from entertainment. So because somebody mentored you, you decided you wanted to mentor others. Okay, so tell us about your journey when it came to mentorship. Because the leadership thing that you're doing, you're motivating, you encourage people. So please let us know how you got introduced to that. And how do you even get the confidence to stand in front of people and tell them, you know, this is the way. So ever since I was in, I was a young guy in campus, I saw that I could influence people. I could go and talk to somebody and somebody. How do you measure influence? Okay, influence. It's easy. I can come and talk to you and maybe the conversation that we have, you can tell me something that maybe I've never said to anybody else or you can talk to me about something and say, by the way, you did help me. And also the fact that, for example, if you're not at work, the next day people will be like, where are you? So it means that people can recognize you, that you are somebody who is influential in your workplace, for example. Okay, so now after you discovered, yes, that you have an influencer career now. So after I did that, I knew that I was destined to be not just a face in the crowd, but somebody who I can be a standout person. So upon finishing, you know, the hustles of looking for a job, I decided, ah, this is not my life. So that's when I did venture in music, which I did. Wait, come on, scratch that. So let's go back to campus a little bit. What is it that you had studied that you were going out to look for a job today? In campus I did procurement. And upon finishing the scandals and all that, so people are required to do more studies. That was a graduate. So I did try a couple of interviews, but I guess I didn't have passion for it as much as I did for music. So once I developed music and also talking to people and getting people's needs, I knew that this was something that I could venture because I could talk to somebody, and somebody could say that you're supposed to be a canceler. I'm like, ah, no, no, I'm not even in that field, but let me do something. Then the fact that I did DJ, I wanted to be. For example, if I am a DJ, I get a show on this platform. It is so interesting to mention that you're a DJ because you're all suited up and I'm trying to imagine you on a deck like that. But anyway. So people would recognize me and that would give me a platform to change and to empower young people. So I came across Maestro's Leadership in 2017 is when I started, 2017. And upon that, it let me just a short profile about it. It seeks to educate and to empower and to equip with skills and trainings. Young people and also resources to better their community. It may be socially, economically, politically. So there are various platforms, businesses entrepreneurship, finance, leadership. The one now for, if you want to go to politics or you want to be an owner of an enterprise. So I saw it as a good opportunity. At that I was still a member, but I did grow in influence and also in skills until I became a trainer. And then I was made a deputy regional director now for the all of East Africa last year around August. And since then. That is quite an achievement. That's quite a milestone. How did that make you feel? I did make me feel great. And at least honored that what I'm doing is not in vain because it's easy that when you're, when you've taken a different route to see, maybe, and also to hear the voices people telling, I do think this is the right thing. Why don't you go look for a job like other people? So at least when you get the accolades, you're like, I'm doing the right thing. And I'm changing also lives. That's the most important thing. Yes. I like that. So you actually managed to climb your way up the career ladder and get to that particular point. Now that you've talked about how Maestro leadership and you've actually climbed to that point, regional director, is there anybody in particular that can stand up and say that because of you, I am who I am and what I've been motivated by you? Can you tell me about one of your, the people you've been mentoring? Who has been your best so far? Who is the most accomplished? Who's the one you feel the most proud of having left your hands? Okay, I will talk about the last one because it's easy to remember things of last year. There's this particular girl that I met in, she was in campus, I met her in last year, December, in one of the trainings that I do hold. It was at Memorial Park at that time. So she was kind of low self-esteem. You see, there were girls, not even girls, young people generally, and she's in first year, 19-year-old. So by the time she was attending it, she was in Hollywood at that particular time. She just returned to school last week. So the girl, by the time she was leaving, she was so motivated, she even sends me texts. For example, she couldn't have the courage to stand before people, but there was this, I know what I normally do at times, I send people songs. So there's this particular song that she so loved it, a gospel song, and she was able to gather courage. Which song is this? It's good to give the artist props, you know? No, she's not even a Kenyan. The song is called Everything is Well. Everything is Well. By Jardelle. By the way, I do love the song also. So she did send me a text on Saturday that she will perform in front of people. Now they see you group on Sunday. And she did marvelously well. And today she was sending me texts. People also want a song, people encouraged me. So that was an achievement because this is a young girl who is going places and the little step that he has made right now is towards the right direction. So I'm happy for her and also for the people and also for the link-ups that I've had. I like the fact that you mentioned diversifying into things. But congratulations for that achievement by the way. But before even I go into your diversification business process, you've talked about motivating someone to be able to go to study in front of people. Have you always had confidence yourself as you were to speak in front of people? How was the first time you, how do you deal with the pressure of being in front of people? I just want to know where the confidence is coming from as well. Okay, when I was somehow young in secondary and also starting out in campus, I was very shy. But I could approach one person or two. But standing in front of a class, it took me a little bit of time. So the fact that I could talk with somebody, so I became familiar with the faces. And also in school, you're supposed to maybe present a project to people. So I could do so, but I will be so much focused on finishing. Not really. Because you want to get out of there, yeah? It's not really on what I'm saying to them. But the help I've told you that I have life coaches and also mentors, they could give me these platforms. And whenever I could do them, after that, you see the way a parent scolds a child. I could be scolded. You could think that maybe... You are scolded for being shy. No, you see, it's a training. Yes, yes. And it's, for example, a military. When you're in a camp, when you've dedicated your life, that is what you're going to do. You don't care about the scolding or the punishments or the discipline, because that's... It's part of the curriculum. So I was passionate about it. So I was not like, oh, now let me back out now. I was willing and ready to be able to gather courage and confidence to stand in front of people. And with time, I learned, I learned, I learned. Even now, I'm still learning. And with time, it's just easy. Now I can stand in front of people. Okay, I would like to understand... Congratulations, at least now I know that you can stand in front of people and you've helped other people stand in front of people. But now let's go back into the business of the matter. You're one of your titles is financial trainer. I'd like to understand where this came from. So my biggest goal or my biggest... The biggest achievement that I want to make is to be part of reducing unemployment in Kenya. And it's not just about giving people jobs. It's also helping them to create jobs. And I once did that and I could see people with big goals. But their problem, all they could say is that I lack capital or where can I get the capital from? The money, yes. So I realized that when I was in campus, I could study a lot of books concerning finances, motivational, inspirational. I decided I have a lot inside of me that the world needs to know or the people around me at that time needs to know. So I started out with them and with a small group that I could find and also now have grown into a wider base. So I'm now doing the financial part of it. In fact, even today I have a session in Kiambu, later on in the afternoon. So I do train them because, you see, it is said that the level of money or the level of life that you are living is equivalent to the knowledge that you have. What? So if I'm broke, it means I'm not as knowledgeable as I thought. Yes. It's a very interesting way to compare things. Because the quality of life is also the quality of your mind. How I view is how you are thinking. Where you are in life is where your thinking was maybe last week or last year. Because towards the end of the year people are, what will I do in January? How will my January be? So that's what they are thinking. So in January, on February starting, that's what they were thinking if they were scared about getting money that is all they will be doing about. So it will reflect outside. So I seek to change their mindset and also the training in Maestro's did help me because the trainers were so much focused in renewing our mind. You see, you are now grown up, right? But when you are a child, the way you have been brought up, if you are told, if you find your name was this, is the way you knew your name. If you are told your birthday is in this date is how you knew. That is the date, yeah. So the way you are developed, it may be right for you, but not a good way for you in your career or maybe in the future. So with the big, with the goal that you have, we try and make you see that this is how you can reframe your mind so that you will not just look out and say what is the government doing about me or what is the society. So you are the one who brings out now solutions to the world. Personally, I call myself a solution, bringing out. You are the fixer, problem solver. Yes. I'm glad you mentioned the government. In your line of work, can we expect to see you in a few years in politics, involved in politics? Would you like any leadership position? No, not really in politics, but I would prefer in business world in the business world more so and also maybe more of a person who is known for maybe an investor or somebody who gives opportunities because it's not just, you see the people that is in government, they are there, but they are only for a short period. The people who run a country or a nation are not even in government. They are like, for example, the CEO, the safari com, CEO, equity. These are people who their companies are doing big. If the government sees that there's a policy that makes safari com not function correctly, they'll go and correct it because of safari com. So I'll be more focused on that, but not in politics. Politics is limited and also somehow you're not... You're not fully in control. Yes, you're not fully in control. Then the system, the government, the system itself, not the people, is very corrupt. They keep on talking about cartels, cartels. So you elect a new member, a new governor, and he or she still talks about cartels. So you're like, who are these cartels? So who are these who are in control? You'd rather be the cartel leader. But on the good side. On the good side. Okay, so where do you see alpha maestros in the next five years? Like in the next five years, who are you going to be? Or where do you see yourself? In the next five years, I see myself connecting the whole of Africa or even the whole of the world because there's so much that people need but they don't know about it. It's like, for example, if you have a thousand dollars, a thousand million dollars in your bank account and another person has it, if I tell you about it, there's a way that you will behave than the one who I haven't told about it. So I'm seeking out to tell people that they have something in them and that they can be the best if they only take out the time to find out for themselves and also to develop themselves, personal development. Personal development, not only just trying to accomplish tasks out here, living like an aunt, working day and night, day and night. You're not doing anything to develop. Okay, so for somebody at home who is watching, you've said a lot of motivational things. I don't even know what there is to add. But for somebody at home who is interested in following the career path that you have chosen, which is also life coaching, marketing, what words of advice or encouragement can you give them? What are some of the challenges that you went through that you overcame? Okay, one of the challenges, it may be is not being very conversant to the market. You may want to maybe to pursue fashion and design, but you're not very conversant to the market. So take out time to study the market. Take out time also to study yourself. And also, you see people view like, if I want to be an entrepreneur or if I want to venture in this business, it's not appropriate for me to be in school. Maybe you see like school is a waste of time, but also take time to study. There are people who you will not meet if you are not knowledgeable to meet them. I like that. Please say that one more time. There are people at places you cannot go if you don't have the knowledge concerning it. So take out time to study, develop yourself, develop people around you, study the market. And whenever be confident also in yourself, believe in yourself, believe in God, everything is well, don't struggle so much. And people, you see people live in a world whereby I don't, if I come here, I don't want to talk to you because I'm on my phone. So interact with people. That the person who is sitting next to you, maybe the person who will connect you to bigger plants or bigger ideas or bigger markets or even bigger opportunities the next time. So being social and also being cautious of your environment, not only being inside your head most of the times. Yes, yes. Okay, I like that. I like that. I like the fact that you also told them to stay in school. You know, that's the funny thing about entrepreneurship Tuesdays is we bring people here and they say that yes, they are succeeding where they are, but almost 80% of them are doing something completely different compared to what they studied. So many people at home are of the idea of, ah, baby, this degree of these things are not important. Hey, big joke. No, no, no, no. They are very important. I like the fact that you said stay in school, get those certificates. There are some places you will not go without those certificates. So please make sure you stay in school as much as you're also following your passions and your talent. Thank you so much. Sir, can I give a word? Thank you for having me. Yes. Entrepreneurship Tuesday is about to tap out right now. You have been watching myself and very mostly presenting for at Joy Muchache. Please make sure you do not go anywhere. You're watching Y2P4. See you tomorrow on Wine the Morning, Queens Wednesday.