Frida Owinga is the Founder of PassionProfit, Ltd a provider of business development support services for aspiring and existing Entrepreneurs based in Kenya. The organization aids budding entrepreneurs to transform their passion into profit making businesses. Passion Profit has a 10-week program, Prosper, where they train you on Money mindset, personal and business finance mastery and thereafter finding profitable partnerships. Currently operational with 5 chapters in Nairobi, they intend to open 5 more centres from January 2017, and move to the Rift Valley in the second quarter of the year.
Frida, a believer that “we cannot over-network”, talks to Nilpa Shah about her journey into entrepreneurship.
When and how did you start in business?
Having being employed for 5 years , I got out of employment when I relocated from the USA to Kenya back in 2010. I noticed people were looking for jobs and there was no work! It seemed papers were not translating to work, and this teamed up with frustration, only pushed me further into entrepreneurship.
My sister would say “Don’t be out late Frida”. And I would turn down friends for coffee and meet ups. But then I thought to myself, in this city, I cannot fear! And one fine evening as I caught up with a friend at Java Mama Ngina Street, I found myself amongst so many people on the street which got me thinking something was wrong. Turns out they were evening students.
This got me thinking about the need for personal and business literacy with this rising trend of people willing to work by day and study by night. The rest as they say, is history!
How did you get seed capital to start up?
Starting a business in the service industry is quite pocket friendly. I started with my laptop, printer and a good software. I was blessed enough to have talks. Every time I would speak, I would ask for phone numbers, and hence created a database to send out fliers to.
What has worked for you?
The media! Consistently being in the media spaces allows you to put your product out there. Word of mouth works, and to create a lot of it you have to put yourself out there.
Is there anything in your upbringing that pre disposed you to venture into business?
My Mum and Dad! At a young age, it seemed to me my mum made more money than my dad. My mum’s income from selling tie and dye fabric batiks always brought home chips and sausages, a luxury in that day; whilst my dad’s income from working as a railway station master, ran the household. So, to me it seems if I wanted luxury, Mum’s way was the one I was going to follow.
What is the biggest challenge you ever met and how did you handle it?
Challenge is a mindset thing. I took it in my stride, and hence there is nothing I can pin point at. Simply put, there is no show stopper! For me, my spirituality guides me. Nothing is impossible with God.
Is there any mistake you may have made that helped you advance to the next level?
It has to be holding on to people for too long. People are important for business, but, the right people. You need to learn to let go and do it quickly! Secondly, planning for investment way before you need it.
What keeps you motivated and grounded?
My vision and strategy which help me to streamline negative criticism that comes my way.
What are your vision and Strategy?
Our vision is to help people start business and create jobs to reduce poverty.
Our Strategy – whilst we are in Nairobi, we aim to be at the Coast and the Rift Valley, and replicate what we are doing in Nairobi.
In the longer term, we want to take Passion Profit out of Kenya and Africa.
Have you ever felt like quitting?
When a child learns to walk, he falls and even grazes his knees. Do we then stop the child from learning and let him continue crawling? No! We pick the child, dust off the knees and let him continue learning the art of walking. The same attitude is needed in business.
How do you source your staff and keep them motivated?
Leadership is drawn from trained people from our programs. It is by entrepreneurs, for entrepreneurs. When they come on board, we see what they are passionate about and what the enjoy doing, and then match them to the right profile. When hiring, there are a few things to keep in mind. These are: Skills, Knowledge, Exposure, Experience and Networks. Motivation however is a personal responsibility.
When do you think should an entrepreneur start earning a salary from revenues of their business?
It all comes down to succession planning. It is important to have a salary. In fact, you must have a salary. We often start companies without any capital. I call it lack of preparation.
How do you unwind/relax?
I serve at the church which gives me the balance I need. I am not very outgoing, so I do prefer to unwind on the couch, or out with my girlfriends
What is the most important advice you would give a budding entrepreneur in this industry?
Go for it!
What is your Parting shot?
Business is what it is. If you are in it, find a way to make it work. Remember, business is not for the faint hearted.
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