 Welcome back. I'll come back. This is still why in the morning and onto our first conversation We are great to talk about matters entrepreneurship Particularly youth in entrepreneurship and for that we are joined by one Dion Wanderer who's a CEO of his own company. It's called Dion Brands Dion Wanderer Brands. Yes, Karibus I know glad to have you with us All right, I tell us a little bit about you as an entrepreneur. What you do? I really want to thank you for having for giving me an opportunity to be here with you Okay, Dion Wanderer Brand I need to give the initial statement on why this brand was created This brand was created to give youth a platform where they can showcase their talents and their skills It's not just about talents, but also it's an organization that compiles also of charity work We have done various of programs Such as assisting the less fortunate people in the society and also giving youth a Descent living by giving by giving them a chance to monetize what they have the talents that they have We all know that talents when they are not showcased at the right platform and the right people They will remain talented and be dominant So we gave the youth a chance the other day in Kaka-Mega County in April to showcase what they had and For real we were able to in the scale of 1 to 10 by 3 percent. We were able to reduce drug Abuse by 3 percent and also to prove and also provide a temporary employment by 2.5 percent Okay, interesting. That's quite something. So you reduced drug abuse by 3 you've said 3 percent Yeah, and create employment temporary employment by 2.5 percent 2.5 percent. Wow How how how have you reduced drug abuse through that? Okay? in April that's when the students were you know on holiday so we were able to give students a Platform and also youths at large a platform to interact and also to prevent them from indulging into negative vices Such as drugs, so we're able to reduce drug abuse by them. Okay. What about the employment with the 2.5? In the entire Kaka-Mega County and Western at large We all know that the initial companies that were there the industry are now all stalled so the economy revolved around teachers and Farmers so the small-scale business enterprises who are able to boom up Via our tournament they were ready to they were also given a chance to access ready market Yeah, by then. Okay, so that's the employment beat at least during that time of the tournament Some sort of an employment was created during that duration. Okay amazing Now tell us what inspired you to be an entrepreneur at a young age yourself. Okay? We all know that with the current economic adversity with the current education system The education system that we have today in Kenya is a system where we are being taken through a system that does not Give us education that align with the problems that we are facing currently. So we are We are taken through a system that does not match with the problems that we face with the economic problems that we face and So I decided that I will not just sit like my parents and my great parents and just watch the the way things are so I decided that I will I Will notice a problem that which is an employment to come up with a solution and the solution is True program that I've been able to create and this program is also helping me to monetize The talents not only just for me, but also to impact the lives of those people that are I prefer to represent Okay, so what are those two programs? I know it's that we have the talent the talent cervical cancer. I Have also done pads drive. Sorry come again. Pads driver pass. Pat or part drive. Yeah Okay, I've done that but so far pass drive is becoming so expensive with the Current economic situation where people can hardly afford their decent meal. So priorities people will prioritize Going for a meal then acquiring a pad So I have brought a partner on board an Indian partner who will teach the students how to make up pads I think that will be cost-initiative We'll be at little bit cheaper. All right. So this is interesting You you go all the way, you know for you your entrepreneurship what you're doing is more on to others and to helping They use and helping Yeah, why First because Let me say this that the Job sector today is saturated, but it's just through charge work that we are Networks networking people can network and also connections can be acquired. So I took a chance by Giving you a chance Creating a platform where they can network Not just about charity, but they can also network with various partners that I'm bringing on board Okay, yeah through that they can create also an employment by being absorbed to various corporate firms. Oh amazing What challenges are you facing as a brand? Yeah, okay. It's a brand the first challenge that I faced ways when I invited the people who are revered in these Programs most people the senior people the people will look up to they prefer attending high elite meetings compared to the Youth based programs like ours because I was at the initial stage Okay. Yeah. So and how is it now? Are they now attending? Yeah, yeah, exactly they are attending. I'm more partners are coming to also support me Many partners are coming to join and also to channel their support towards this brand Because it's not just only based in kakamega. This is a country Brand, but as always just to be decent So now you're seeing more You know a more present governments in terms of county governments are you getting the support? Exactly I'm getting the support because I'm working hand-in-hand with the CEC for youths both and gender In kakamega County. Mm-hmm And how did you how did you get to this place? Someone might ask and you have a history being our leader in Cooperative universities, so you might want to tell us a little bit about that for someone who's in the same line as you or wants to Do the same thing as you how do you get to build such connections and to make sure that your dream progresses? Okay, it It depends with the goal that you want to pursue first number two It's just a matter of Identifying the goal that you want and what you want to achieve. That's the thing Number three it needs consistency and perseverance Because it's not your all about money money aside. You must chase the end goal and the end goal is to Also to to be known Okay, yeah, it's not about all about money Some people might not agree with you because what I'm sorry. So how how do you get to survive in this like tough economic times? Okay, so I've said that I'm bringing on more patterns more patterns It's just like a charity to work my NGOs. I write proposal. I present to them Some of them they acknowledge my proposal and they give me an okay to work with me Okay, so for you it's all about passion. That's why it's not about money. Yeah, and what did it take? I'm still a question. What kind of sacrifice does it take for you to did it take for you to get to where you are? Example in proposal writing. Do you have to learn that leadership? Is it something that you were born with or something that you have learned over time as you get into it? Yeah, okay? To do it leadership It's just about trial Number two leadership to do with the leadership Okay, it's just about the passion that I had and also the significance Errors that I noticed and I had to know every every Every economic Let me say every revolution is is carried out or it's be is laid out by a leader by one person who By one person who Represents himself to champion for changes. So I took that initiative also at the Cooperative University when when the fee increment was there and also when the hostels were Depends of hostile shoot up the 20 to 12,000. So it's just a matter of passion and the courage that you have and Also the willingness the political willingness or the willingness that you have to represent your people, okay? Amazing now back to you taking talking to us about youth in entrepreneurship What what okay? Is it is it something that you'd want you'd advice you to get into entrepreneurship? Why and how can they do that? entrepreneurship Obvious entrepreneurship with the I said earlier that with the current economic adversity does not the job sector the white color job is very saturated now it It it requires someone to go overboard to think to think widely to think something that he or she can do to have a living so You must use what you have to get what you want Okay, what do you what is it that they have that they can use to get what they want energy? Yeah, they have the Speed and they have the willingness to do that. Okay. It's just a matter of Wanting to to to get what you want. Mm-hmm. So it comes from me. Then how bad do you actually want this? Yeah, so if you really want it and you have a passion for it, then you go for it It doesn't matter if what if it's money that you don't have as long as you have the drive, right? Yeah Yeah, and what is the importance of mentorship then in? Promoting youth and entrepreneurship Okay The importance of mentorship. So, you know those people who have been revered in that sector All it also goes to leadership is just about leadership as you inspire You need to be told or you need to be guided the steps to follow for you to occupy the ladder of leadership Same to entrepreneurship. You'll need guidance You'll need to be given mentorship for it to be where you want to be. So mentorship is a Is the fundamental in when it comes to entrepreneurship? You need to be guided. You need to be told that The risks that are involved. You need to be told that also the That it's not a win-win situation. You can lose and you can win. Okay So it's very fundamental when it comes to entrepreneurship and it's also it's it's just a basic Okay. Yeah. All right So it's a risk that you need to be willing to take Getting to it and what skills are essential for a young entrepreneur to have? faster Young entrepreneur one. He must be a risk-taker You need to be a risk-taker Number two, you must have that willingness and also add up that ability to adapt very fast to adapt in a situation In a new environment in a new situation Number three, you need to be resilient. Yeah Number four, you need to be able to go in because you need to chase what you want what's the matter of lasering and Having it. Okay in being outgoing there are some people who are naturally introverted But they have Passion for entrepreneurship. They have a business in mind. How do they how do they go about it? It will depend with your team Yeah, because me as also do you know under a brand we have a very committed team Networks with me so it will depend with your team. Okay Speaking of your team, how did you how do you choose people to walk with because now this is something that you're It's a baby like a small baby that you're just giving birth to and it's a risky Place to be in it's a risk investment to get into so how do you choose people that will help you? Propel your vision forward. Okay, we have people first when I started this brand. I studied as an individual and Also, I had one two three connections So I was able to convince people some of the people they're willing people to come on board. I Was able to convince people to come on board it depended with It depended with the Willingness of a person and the passion and the goal of a person so people are Let me say what you can I want to I want a vision about this brand where they wanted to be where they Where they see it in 10 or 5 years to come? Yeah, so So far I have six partners one partner works at Kenya School of Government another partner works at the country government and also some partners that are Incorporate firms, okay, they showed my vision They aligned their interest with mine and that's how my brand started Wow Amazing, what about those people who usually say that? When you're starting your own company or something that you need to do it alone fast without Involving people because now they might come and they'll use what you had and visioned for your for your own company Okay, also me For the beginning, I would really like to I Was thinking to start alone. I thought of thinking of starting alone This is a brand but due to financial muscle even you have a good financial muscle. You can start as a loan ranger so it depend with the What kind of product you want to engage in what kind of business you want to engage in and What services are you offering mine? I'm offering a wide service that needs a collective initiative Yeah, many people so I needed to reach out reach many people for me to Deliver all right. It makes a lot of sense. Okay, so And what are there we've talked about challenges? What are the advantages of being a young entrepreneur? especially in Kenya one Advantage number one you get first of opportunities Yeah, many people will want to associate you with you by the way You really want to give you a platform. They really like to invest in you number two You learn a lot by the time you 40 Yeah, you have time. I mean also time is what you have. Exactly, which is very to correct the mistakes Okay, wonderful. Is there something that? Looking back from where you started that you're really proud of Yeah, exactly One one thing that I'm proud of is that I'm a CEO at the young age I'm only 23 years Secondly, I was able to impact the lives of more than 3,000 youths in Kaka Neba County Yeah, I gave them a chance. I Gave them a chance to monetize their talents and they were able to emancipate themselves at least to earn a living on that day Number three, I was also able to To showcase that you know talents and I said earlier that talents and skills when they are not showcased the right platform and the right people They cannot grow. Yeah, so I gave them a chance to showcase it to the right people and many people were were taken by some teams some in some teams the The the county the county teams they took some of the players Okay, wow Amazing Wow, and there's some pictures that we want to show of the football tournament that took place I don't know if the producer is ready with the pictures, but we might come back to them later Dionne what is the vision that you have for Dionne Wanderer brand, what do you see yourself going? I see myself being Going international Okay, I see myself Impacting more lives and creating more job opportunities the younger generation I see myself Motivating more young people It's not about it's not particularly about Dionne Wanderer brand I also I also really wish to have more brands coming up mushrooming of more brands That will have an impact on the lives of young people more vulnerable people in the society Because it's for you. It's mostly to the people exactly exactly on what keeps you staying focused and motivated Because sometimes you need motivation. I believe that the challenges you need to stay motivated Yeah, your team. Yeah, how I have a very committed team Because I I do programs back-to-back as in consistently. So I They always remind me that I Can go see you have a program to in April you have a program in August you have a program in December So I have to be consistent. They keep me on toes They tell me because we need to go to this partner this partner this partner So you'll remain 24-7 focused Okay, that's quite quite the team to to to have around you and then we have the pictures of the football tournament So just so that you believe that it's actually happening. It's a success There we have it in Kakao mega County You want to tell us who who are there people that we need to know? No, no, no, no, all right. Just coaches. Oh, okay. Okay. So we can see the next one Aha, it looks like it was a good event Yeah, so this event you said helped reduce drug abuse by 3% and Creates a temporary employment by 2.5% such an amazing work done by a Young CEO at 23 years of age. I'm challenged or motivated So that's you yeah, yeah addressing the people after the event Wow, okay Getting back to you again now. What do you think should be? Given to young entrepreneurs such as you as support by people like position people that can help Is it networking opportunities? Is it the funding? What type of help do young entrepreneurs really need? Okay first? We live in a consumer Economy we don't produce anything. In fact we even Importer we even import a toothpicks Tish paper. So yeah, most of the things we import until we do we do away with the importation of things then we The the only support that we can get from the government is by the government producing or providing Insultives to the young manufacturing sector that will also Motivate other people like other who are coming up with the programs in form of manufacturing To impact the lives of people and also to create more employment opportunities Okay, and what advice would you give to a young entrepreneur who's just getting into the business and entrepreneurship that Faster, it's not easy That's the truth. It is not easy. It needs commitment It's nice vision and it's nice patients Yeah for you to be there. Okay before I'm not yet there by the way, you know, yeah, you you were just growing into it Alright, but it's worthwhile. Yeah, so far. Yeah, okay before I ask you the last question There's this question How how do you balance? How did you how do you create a balance between being a CEO at a very young age and Life as it's Moving, you know, being a user so many things that you'd want to do but being a CEO in Requires you to have almost maximum attention in your Most of the time I'm preoccupied with my company. Mm-hmm. I don't have anything I don't have an alternative by the way So I don't have any busy schedule Mm-hmm. I don't have an alternative or an engagement that I need to do apart from my brand So most of the time 24 7 am was I'm always working on my brand Always figuring out what can I do next to make this brand stand? Mm-hmm. Yeah, and when did you start? I started this brand 2020 When you're still in school. Yeah during COVID Yeah, I started by distribution of mask and also taps What about that? See what supposed to wash your hands Okay, okay, so and then our people were so broke that they didn't even afford the mask So I had to talk with some NGOs We need we head to partnership with some NGOs to make it happen Okay, what do you think? Is the future of entrepreneurship in Kenya and what impact does it have on the economy? Okay, so far as they think standard. I don't see any future by the way. You don't see it Yeah, unless we do away with the importation of certain things that can be produced in this country Okay, but we've seen the product according to the finance bill helps Things that will stop to be imported Probably taking effects in the end of the year or next day. I'm not sure when but so you saying with that we will have a better Chance. Yeah, we'll have a better chance, but also we need to slow down when it comes to taxes because most of the manufacturing sectors and manufacturing Industries in this in this country of ours They stole due to high taxes You see the profit that you make is all taxed. So nothing to be proud of Making nothing to be proud of All right, so the government should look into that. Yeah, I think it has looked into that but let's see maybe Let's let's see how it will materialize. Okay in the next year. All right. So Dionne before we close it up What's what is the lesson that you have learned that you again, you know Pass it on to someone else through your your own journey You can say it to your camera. This is your camera and give us your social media The lesson that I've learned so far True days are journey of entrepreneurship and this journey of our programs is to be patient Not to push so hard Not to force anything to be patient and to wait Until things unfold themselves Do you do you are based patiently and wait for the results? Wow? What's our way to end it? Do your best patiently and wait for the results. Exactly. Thank you very much, Dionne Thank you for coming on board that is Dionne Wanderer Who's the CEO of Dionne Wanderer Brands? Talking to us about his journey in entrepreneurship basically youth in entrepreneurship I hope you've taken something from that particular conversation We are going to take a short break and then Brad Saka will be back with yet another interesting conversation The hashtag to use is why the morning at Y to 54 channel. See you on the other side