Keziah Njeri
About
We not only tackle our own challenges but also generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities. I possess a solid understanding of the early-stage ecosystem in Kenya, and when I joined VestedWorld, I was enthusiastic about collaborating with stakeholders in this space to enhance opportunities for local entrepreneurs in areas such as knowledge, funding, and connections.
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Do not ask for permission; seek forgiveness if you make a mistake! This can be controversial, but it speaks to the importance of trusting your decision-making abilities. In a world where complete information is often elusive, and individuals are managing multiple responsibilities, waiting for explicit "permission" might not always be possible. Trust that you have the capacity to make the best decisions that will result in favorable outcomes! This principle applies to our personal and professional lives.
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In professional relationships, I value co-existence and mutual trust. We are sociable beings from diverse backgrounds. In our interactions, we need to be intentional about creating an environment that reduces tension and creates mutual trust that we are all on the same team working towards common interests.
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The biggest misconceptions about Africa investing is that the continent has low adoption levels! In Kenya, we have seen high adoption rates for solutions that tackle real problems. This can be attributed to consumer education, affordability, and ease of use. Business models such as Lipa Pole Pole and Pay-as-Go models are evidence of high adoption rates in Kenya.
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My advice to entrepreneurs: build products and services that the market is willing and able to pay for. Often, founders focus on the ability to pay and forget to assess the willingness to pay!
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The best founders have visibility of their business. They know their mission and vision, product, customers (and their customers know them), team, suppliers, partners, and company financials. While they delegate operational tasks, nothing about their business should catch them by surprise!