 A warm welcome to you from wherever you're watching us from. Thank you so much for sticking with us. This is Why in the Morning. My name is Ram Aguco. It's a pleasure being with you this fine Tuesday morning. Remember it's Entrepreneurship Tuesday right here on Y254 TV. We are coming to you live from the broadcasting house here in Nairobi, Kenya. We are also streaming live through our website www.kbc.co.ke4slashy254 is the place to be where you can be able to engage with us, follow us online from wherever you are. Welcome to this morning conversation. Today we want to talk about matters concerning breaking out in tours and recreation. On this fine Entrepreneurship Tuesday we want to talk about matters concerning photography with one individual who does a fantastic job. He goes by the name of Mike Olkebaria. He is from Back Lane Adventures. Can you please send him a mic? Thank you so much Ram for having me. How are you feeling my brother? I'm feeling great and you? I'm well. I am well. Thank you for finding time to join me today. And of course even as we engage with Mike today, we welcome your presence, we welcome your feedback. Let us know where you are watching us from. Go to Facebook. There is a question of the day that has been posted on our Facebook page. That's why 254 TV, that's the name of the Facebook page, head over there on the question of the day. Drop in your comments on the comments section. Feel free to let us know where you are watching us from. Engage with us, give us your thoughts in regards to this discussion. And of course Brian Sako will be sampling your feedback a bit later on during this show. First of all Mike, for someone who is meeting you for the first time, tell me a bit something about what you do and about what the name Back Lane Adventures is all about, Michael. Okay. Thank you so much Ram for having me this morning. I'm totally grateful for that. So my name is Meko Kebaria. So I'm the founder of Back Lane Adventures. So Back Lane Adventures is a visual hub that keeps you relevant in the market space and that's through visual content. Photography, video production, anything in form of visual. You are the good guy. It gives you a tour of the world in terms of photography if I can sum it up like that. Exactly Ram. Yeah, that's a nice way of putting it. So when did you start doing this? The inception was in 2018. Yeah. Wow. And now 2022. COVID struck you. Absolutely. Absolutely. And now I'm looking at Back Lane Adventures and I'm asking myself, since 2018 to 2022, how did you manage to tackle the pandemic but we'll get there. We'll get there. Okay. Why did you choose this particular aspect, this particular niche of entrepreneurship? Well, it was in form of an accident when I used to play rugby. So when I had players who complained not receiving their pictures and I saw a niche and a gap through that. That's when it took upon myself to be taking pictures and ensuring that every player gets a picture when they're in the field, either they win or not, they need to get a picture for that because they took the same effort to put in even if they don't win. So that's when I took upon myself to start taking pictures in the sports element. So the class of complaining of not getting pictures of themselves. Is it that there was a photographer who was hired? Mama, what exactly are we talking about here? Unfortunately, sometimes when only the pictures being captured are only for the winners. Only for the winners and the best player. During a game, yeah? During a game. On that perfect score? Exactly perfect score. That can be only one picture. But in the field, there are a lot of players. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So everyone is like, you know, I also need a picture of myself. Yes, because the player took the same effort. It's only that the time wasn't right. But the same effort they took. Yeah. It's only that I feel they need also to be appreciated, you know? Yeah, yeah. So that's why I saw it and I saw the pain and all it just to translate that solution to photography and keeping them motivated because at the end of it all you'd be able to see and monitor their progress. So they started this season, this year they're going, also there will be hardship. The challenges are there. Those are part of success. Not only the glory, but also know the sweat, blood and tears in the sports. Because before the goal was acquired, the ball must have gone through some process. Some process? In the middle of the field. And everyone took part in that process. Isn't it one person? The one who scored. Yeah. Or the goalkeeper who saved the ball. Yes. So you have that shot of him, you know, jumping to capture that. Yet there's somebody who is the striker and not the striker, the defender. Yes. Who managed to return the ball back to the other side. You don't have their pictures. Exactly. So you find it not only in the only photo, but all spectrum of sports from rugby, golf. There's always behind the scenes, but always people they are putting in their effort. Also you cover any type of sport? Every type of sports. Yeah. Any type of sports that you have in Kenya, we do capture them. Do you have any favourites? Like Michael's favourites. Now we are at a time of World Cup. So I'm wondering what is Michael's favourite? All are my favourites, because I'm very passionate about every sport. Because I always have a goosebump whenever I have a sports activity. And that's something I can usually do for free, because that's the passion I have for. Okay. Yeah. Growing up, did you love sports growing up? Yes, I love sports when growing up. I used to participate in football and also boxing. Boxing. Yeah, boxing. Okay. Forgive me, I don't have any injury, but I did boxing. You know, must you have any injury? I don't know. Is it a must? They have looked at me. It seems like one is of an injury. No. I thought you mentioned kick boxing. That's what I thought you mentioned. So you say boxing. Yeah, boxing. You love, you engage in boxing and football. Yes. And rugby. And rugby. Yes. And also recently cycling. Yes. Recently. Yes. Okay. Did you join any teams? In my childhood, those were primary. Yeah. But also now as I'm growing up, I was part of Moomba rugby team. Moomba rugby team? Yeah. Wow. Yeah. You played for that team? Yes, I played for that team. Wow. Yeah. I have a cousin of mine who is also doing rugby. Awesome. He plays for KCB. Oh, King. Yeah. You're the champions. Yeah. He's called Rocky. Charlotte Rocky. He does a good job there. Yeah. So when you talk about rugby, I really... Relate. I can relate. I can relate. And those shots need to be gotten. Absolutely. Yeah. So when you got into this venture. Yes. It must have taken, you know, time for it to take off. Absolutely. You need to always have patience with yourself. You know, so patience with the business, patience with the market. And I agree with you. It has taken quite a bit of time to wait to take off. And that's something that people don't share, but it takes time. It takes time. It takes time. So did it start now before 2018 and then it took off or after 2018 is when it started to pick? That was after 2018 and it started to pick. Okay. Yeah. So many complain about capital. Yes. As you know, I want to start a business, but I don't have money. Yes. Maybe give us your thoughts and regards to that. Complaining of capital, didn't you have capital? Of course not I didn't have capital. But I guess it's something that people, we don't need capital sometimes at a business. The only thing that you need is just an idea. Because once you have an idea, the idea is going to generate the capital that you may need. Unfortunately for me, I didn't know to have capital, but I also would strap upon myself and I used to sell merchandise for my company when I was in college. Company? Bakland Ventures. Okay. So I could brand the merchandise, the t-shirts, the hoodies, the cups, and they could have a markup on it. So I used to save the markup little by little until I was able now to afford and buy a camera. So I didn't have capital. I used what I have to save and also create a revenue stream for myself. So selling clothes and branding them? Yes, branding merchandise for the company. T-shirts? T-shirts, hoodies, bags. Yes, so that's how I was able now to raise the capital. But initially I didn't have any capital. I'm wondering how long it took for you to now get it well established? In a period of how many months? Give or take? Nine months. Give or take nine months there? Nine months. That's Shaituania. Ah, yeah. Wow. So it took you close to a year to pick up. So we are looking at 2019 there. Yeah, 2019. 2019. So when is now getting some momentum? Yeah, that's when I was able now to purchase the gears because they're not cheap because I had to save quite a lot of cash. Yeah. You know, many always want to get it started and you make it within a short period of time. And after three months, you give up. You're like, ah, I've tried. But for you it took you a year, a whole year. You must have been patient with this business, my brother. Absolutely. Patience I think is a virtue because you need to have patience for you too. Because if you didn't have patience, you could have given up before you started because the challenges are there. Because before you find your first client, you need also to market yourself, present yourself, show up to the meetings, show up to the clients. Yeah. Sometimes you have to volunteer, unfortunately. Advertise yourself. Sorry? Advertise yourself. Advertise yourself on that money. And you need also to be patient with yourself on that. This is a common mistake many people make. Yes. Many use make when they're starting a business. Yes. And they go in so hard. Yes. So fast. Yes. That when it crumbles within four months or so. Yes. They're out. Yes. They've taken so many loans. Yes. And they don't know how to repay. Yes. Maybe you advise towards many who are trying to pick up their business. Okay. So my advice will be now to grow organically. Because once you grow step by step, you're going to learn in faces and in bits. Wait, wait. Okay. Poser. Okay. You said organically. Yes. What do you mean when you say organically? And then you proceed from there. Okay. What I mean organically is that once you use what we have currently, sometimes you may not need a loan to start a business or you give yourself a lot of pressure for you to acquire, buy something extra, et cetera. You use whatever you have slowly by slowly and then you'll be able to learn through the process what you may need. Okay. So for example, if someone takes a loan to start a business, that cannot be very advisable. But you can start with whatever that you have. You grow and through growing you'll make small losses. Yes. So the small losses are going to give you a lot of wisdom as you grow. So when the bigger chunk of money comes, you know better because you have gone through the losses in small bits that you can handle. So when you want to grow big, it won't overwhelm you because the steps you have really calculated them in the inception period here. And you won't end up regretting it. Well, it's also been patient because the aggregate is there because you have also to see as a school physio paid to learn that lesson. And that lesson should make you wiser, not regret. You need to be wiser from that. But regret, you need to forgive yourself. So I'm looking at my call here. You've just started a business and it's picking up. Yeah. Two years later. Corona. Yes. Yes. How did you manage to go through that phase of COVID? Through creating a safety net and also coming to reality and also downsizing on our operation. So you have to downsize on our office space to go to a smaller space and also looking at ways that you can now save as much as possible. And also apart from that, create a revenue stream that you can bring into the funnel and think outside the box. So you had to shift office. Absolutely. And downsize the space. Let's talk about it. Give me an image. So what happened there? You're paying rent somewhere. Yes. No money is coming in. Yes. Because the client doesn't have the purchase in power anymore. So no check coming from the client. So you have to see on your good thing. You had some results. You have to look at ways that you can now minimize on costs. Minimize on costs and also tighten the belt a bit so that you can save. And also that gives you on a later note a positive way to look at how you can create other revenue stream so that you can survive. Were you saving before COVID strikes? Yes. It's a culture that we have been having as a company of saving. Wow. So for every business that comes in, you never know. So you have to save for the rainy days. Yes. So one thing you did. Yes. You shifted locations. You changed your workstation. Yes. Okay. And also fortunately, many people are working from home. So you find you need an errand to run within physical means. You need to do just operate from home so that you can save on costs. Okay. As you think for the next step. Aha. Yeah. And one other thing, after shifting, do you have people that you're working with? Many people got laid off during this period. Yes. Did you have a team that you're working with? Yes, I did have a team. Did you lay them off? No, I didn't. I could not afford to. You could not afford to? Yeah, they are part of the success and the part of us that told the company because of all the team, the company does not exist. Yeah. Must have been so challenging coming up with this thing to stability post COVID. Yes. Mainly it was more on emotional. Mainly it was more of emotional. What do you mean? Emotional. You find, for example, you had some goals for that year. There was some expectation, but now it's no longer there. So that can really take a heart on you. Also looking at survival mode has been really been affected. That means there is no money. So some people may get into panic. So emotional. That was the main thing that you had to focus on. And used to a certain lifestyle. Exactly. So to adapt to, you know, so if you're eating a pizza, then you have to adapt. You have to adapt also on what you, on your life and what you have been using. For example, just downsizing on everything. Also, yeah. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Brenda, I don't know if you have the pitch. I want us to take a look at your. Yeah, we cannot have this discussion and not look at the pictures you've taken. Awesome. How can people find you on social media? On show media, on Facebook, we are at Backline Ventures on Instagram, Backline Ventures, Twitter, Backline Ventures on all our platforms. Yeah. Brenda, if you are ready, now bring it up and then you will comment on the pictures. Okay. So where can I look at that? I don't know if you can bring it up. Can you bring it up also on my screen? To those who are watching from home, you can see them there, right there. Now, talk about this. This is a safari rally. Actually, this is a 4x4 challenge that I call Kenya Racing Team. It's a 4x4. These are 4x4? Yeah, it's a 4x4. Yeah, I see it now. Yeah, I can. Okay. Yes. It's a 4x4 challenge that we had to take part in and so participate in. Where did you take place? That was in Tuala, in Kajiado. That is in Rongai. Rongai. Wow. Yeah. So this actually happens in Kenya. I've never been to this. You should be participating in one. You know, in my head, I'm like... I don't know if I'm doing all those things like that. This is a... Still, for that sports, that was still 4x4. Same venue? Same venue, but they're doing an ascent on a river. Is that you? This looks like you. Yeah, absolutely. That's me. Yeah, it looks like you. Yeah, so that's a super bike. Wow. I love this shot. Yeah. Somebody look at... I love this shot. How did you catch it? Thank you. So this is in Kenya. So in Kenya, we are doing very well in sports. Wow. Yeah. Look at the... Is it the aperture? Yeah, aperture and also the camera settings, the speed that you have to... Shutter speed or something, yeah? Yeah, shutter speed and also now freeze the image. That's the perfect moment that you have to capture one. Wow. Just look at that. Yeah. And this is still in Kenya? Still in Kenya, imagine. You might think this is some Muzungo guy somewhere. Which event is this? It's called East Africa's Hobak Championship. Yeah. And Kenya bagged the winner on that. How do you manage to get a shot like this? It's taking a time, also a moment and waiting for the perfect, perfect timing. So you have to capture that one shot. Do you like... No, no, no. Press continuously. No, it's capturing and also internalizing on your mind, whatever that you want to achieve on that. No, from that you bring now to reality through now the image that you can able to see now. So it's just one snap of the finger and you get that? Just take one picture. Just one? Yeah, just one. And it takes a thousand words on that. Is this the same... All right, there's another one. Yeah, that's a go-kart in event, still in Kenya. You even got them to allow you to round your nearly? Yeah, they promote us. I suppose they promote us also in their space. And we really appreciate them. To shout out to them, Superbike Association of Kenya. Superbike Association of Kenya? Yes. So you have your support team that is behind in terms of the companies and the organizations that are helping you and supporting you there? Yes, and also now they're like the club they've really appreciated because they've been there since 2019, it's a bit long time. And also they're still in a good relationship with them and they really promote us just from their craft that we do. For those who are at home and wondering what we are talking about, just bring up that other image, Brenda, the other image on the screen. This picture that we are seeing, if you look at this particular picture, no, the one that we are looking at for the Superbike. Superbike. Superbike Motors. Yeah, Superbike Association. Yeah, Superbike Association. There is one where we are seeing the bike and at the background there is Bethlehem Ventures, Abana. Yes, yes, yes. There's Abana. The next photo, Brenda, the next one. To get that is a big challenge. How did you manage to bring yourself on board so that they can allow you to put up your banner at the back? It's because of the, also the value that we bring on board. That picture, that picture exactly. You can only tell it on a banner. Yeah. It's because of the value and also the interest that you share with them. Yeah, because for that you are very passionate about, we share the same interest with them and that unifying factor for us is the sport and with that we are able now to grow together and that's how we are able now also to, for them to promote us by allowing us to have our marketing props at their events. Yeah, and we are thankful for that. And you cannot disappoint them in pictures. You cannot, my brother. You cannot. I can't afford to anyway. It's not an option. I don't know if any of us have ever experienced these people who give you promises. Ah, we'll give you photos one month down the line then pictures are called your part. So actually for us what we do, we do a February event that we capture the sports, we leave the image the same day. Same day? Yeah, we do live pictures. So for example, for Superbike we have 600cc, 1000cc, so after every race they do, we usually share the pictures. So the audience can go online and see the winner in real time. So what we are talking about here, these are not edited pictures. These are edited. How do you manage to give it to them the same day you took them? That's the power of a team now because one takes a picture and one edits. Wow. That's the power of a team. I love that answer. That's the power of a team. Yes. One takes the shots, another edits without the battery running out. Exactly. And remember they can't be lost in the process. Exactly. We collaborate to empower each other. Wow. Yeah. How do you manage to work with this team? Yeah. You know, bringing them together. Yeah. These are different individuals. Yes. Different mindsets, different desires. Yes. Who desire different shots. Yes. Because not all of you, like a shot that has been taken. I don't live abroad. Actually what brings us together is the passion. For all of us, we share the same passion of sports. And that's making work easier because everyone, the drive is still the same. And also the agenda still remain the same. And also I agree with you. We also want to be open because everyone has a certain skills that they bring on board because every picture, everyone has their own style and angle of taking a picture. And also need to be open to appreciate everyone's talent on that. Even as you move around and take such fantastic pictures. I love this. Thank you. And if you're watching from home, remember these pictures can be found on his Instagram page. Right? Yeah. That's on Beclan Ventures and also on Facebook Beclan Ventures. Yes. Yeah. As you move around attending all these different events, Michael. Yes. I'm sure you see challenges that the sports industry is facing. Yes. Do you, at some point, attend an event? Yes. And you ask yourself, why couldn't the organizers have done this? Why couldn't the organizers have done that? And then you notice loopholes in the sports industry. And you're like, I wish the government can do this and that and that. Let me give you time. Let's talk about the sports industry in the country here. Yes. And some of the things that you feel need to be worked on. Oh, OK. So the sports industry in this country is coming up quite well. Give a lot of credit to KBC, the parent company for Y254, for supporting the sports because every now and then we know Safari Rally based on KBC and we used to watch them. So such kind of support, we have them. Coffee with KBC? Coffee with KBC. Yes. Yes. And also now promoting the sports industry that it is. So those are the small wins that we have that we really appreciate them. And also some of the challenges that we have, sports is very expensive. Yes. Very expensive. So sometimes also finding some sponsors for such events can be a task. So for me, the challenge I can say sometimes now is being able to attract sponsors to come and also invest in the sports industry because it's slowly coming up and it's quite, quite, quite expensive on that. Wow. But it's coming up on well. It's coming up right. Yes. Compared to other countries, we are far, far. You are trying to come up well. Actually in East Africa, it's doing very well. Many are complaining that you know the sports industry in the country needs more promoters. We need goodwill. We need proper funding. You know, Kedah being kicked out of FIFA. You know? Yeah. So we are like, we need to come up. And you are coming up. We are coming up. Yeah, we are coming up. Yeah. When you move around and interact with people like this. Yes. I'm sure you've managed to, wow. Brenda has brought in another picture. Okay. So Brenda, before I ask my question. Yes. Let's talk about this. Yeah. So this was during a super special stage that was in Kasarani. This is Kasarani? Yeah. It's a Kasarani super special stage. Yeah. That was promoting women in sports during the safari rally. My brother is taking good pictures. It's not only myself but also my team. Because actually I can be telling you, it's my team who took the pictures. Not myself. Because some of them. It's teamwork. It's teamwork and collaboration. What are some of those work ethics you promote within your team members so that you can be able to achieve your goals and ensure that the standards you've set as break lane are maintained? Yeah. Bottom line for everything is just communication. Because as we stretch so much on communication because with all communications people start to have miscommunication when they work and go wrong on that. So one thing that we have invested in on our team is communication. Because communication is everything that has gotten us to where we are. Communication with the clients, communication with the team so that they don't get to be affected on that. Wow. Yeah. Wow. Hey, I'm amazed. I'm amazed. I'm looking at this picture and what? Just look at it. It's very speedy. It's very speedy. How much of the speed of this car you've gone? Quite speedy. Because it's a rally car. Yeah. It's a rally. Yeah. How do you protect yourselves on the field? From the field they supposed to give us safety missions where you need to take pictures and where not to cross the line. Those are the things that we implement on. So now safety measures that we need to adhere to. Look at that. And on record everyone was safe. So that's a good thing. Everyone was safe. Everyone was safe and smiling because the car is beautiful. Such sports. What happened here? Were you able to see in action what happened that led to this particular image? Yes, I was there and everyone who was there was able to see in action. And it was during we wanted to do an ascent on the river but also it lost a bit of balance on that. So really because of the stones or the gradient of the area? Yes. That's the sports now because that's the beauty of sports. It's risky but the risk is worthwhile. It's worth it. It's worthwhile because it's worthwhile. Because I can tell if someone falls the next season we'll still be there. If someone does an injury the next season we'll still play. There was this video of a certain dog that was crossing the road and then a safari rally just went on top of the video and I was like why? Magical moments. Yeah. And as a photographer when you're just close to the road and a rally car is just passing by anything can happen. Anything can happen but also you have to take the perfect show that now is stood out for the whole world. Is there a particular distance that you're supposed to keep for all events? Yes, they have marks. Every event is a mark that you're not supposed to cross. Are they equal or similar? They are equal. To all events they are. Okay. Let's talk about this. That's still a 4x4 challenge that is still in Tuala and that organized by Kenya Racing Team that during the assent of the rivers the river as well upon the river banks. Yeah. How do you manage to get, for example it's a rally. Yes. A circuit. And we have different events happening at different points in time along this circuit. Yes. How do you manage to get distinct shots that take place within this circuit? Okay. Good question Ram. So before any events we usually have a success picture that we draft upon with our team and we divide ourselves to communicate and strategize on their team work. So if a certain person will be dispatched at an entrance point, another person at a certain corner. So we get to merge all the images because we cannot be everywhere at the same time. So it's through team work and so collaboration with the team work. You can't run after the rally. Well, I guess we are done with the pictures. Is there any other picture remaining brother that you can bring up before we wrap it up? Could I get it? Yes. Wow. This is a good moment my brother. Thank you. For my sports years. That was during the African rally championship this year, early this year. Yeah. You did manage to share ideas my brother. You should share. Yeah, absolutely. You shared a few ideas there. Yeah, we did. Wow. That's our partner, that's called Komi. We collaborate together also in the sports industry. Yeah. If they're out doing up the logo. Are we out of any picture before we wrap it up? And guys, if you're interested in photography this is a good venture to take. And also I can give credit to Governor for giving us a permit for photography in Nairobi. So credit to him. Thank you for the support. Governor Sakaja, yes. He's supporting talent. Supporting talent. Yeah. So I want us to bring this conversation to a close. Sure. And even as you do that, I'm looking at backland ventures of, you know, what are some of the plans you're having now moving forward? Okay. Projects that you're looking forward to and events that you intend to take part in. I think they are looking forward to as for next year, 2023 is Kenya opens and then of course WRC that's something that you're also looking forward to. Superbike and any sport in general that will be part in Kenya will be able to participate in. So any sport that will be in Kenya, be sure will be there. Hope I'll tag along in one of those events. I hope so. It's exciting, you know. Until when you're there, there's going to be exciting you love Goosebumps. I know, I can get the feeling from the pictures themselves, the pictures display emotion. They pass a message. Absolutely. But now in reality, you'll be screaming. I wish you and my brother Thank you so much. If someone wants to get a hold of you, if you want to take part in photography, take hold of people like Michael here. Absolutely. You are mentoring people. Yes, we are. How can someone get a hold of you if they want to? Through our social media pages that becklen ventures Facebook, Instagram, becklen ventures through our contact, our company line that is 0700 822500 you can repeat again. Our company line is 0700 822500 So once you give us a call, someone will get in touch with you and be able to assist when possible. Thank you so much for being us. My brother, I wish you well, good luck. Thank you so much. Keep doing what you're doing. Make money. I know so passionately. Passionately. Well, a lot of people were talking about how you can break out in terms of tours and recreation. That brings us to the end of this discussion right here on Why In The Morning. My name is Ram Maguko. It has been a pleasure being with you. Hope you had fun with this discussion. But we still have more coming up your way right here on Why In The Morning.