I Have No Idea What I'm Doing

*Fill out the podcast survey: https://forms.gle/T4368EFxqMrDhJND7* This week, Paula speaks with Nancie Mwai, a powerhouse Kenyan content creator who is making moves in fashion retail and design. Her boutique, New Level, has been years in the making, combining Nancie’s unmatched eye for style and trends alongside her acute business acumen. Nancie talks about the risks she has taken and lessons learned to build a business she loves. This interview was recorded in October 2019. *Fill out the podcast survey: https://forms.gle/T4368EFxqMrDhJND7*   In this episode, she also talk about: The lessons of starting and closing her first boutique Being a trendsetter vs. how she best serves her customer The importance of continued education Finding the confidence to pursue her dream The state of Kenya’s fashion industry and investing in the fashion value chain Transitioning into design and production Managing the Nancie Mwai brand vs. New Level brand As mentioned in this episode: The Fashionable Notebook (no longer available) Centonomy Entrepreneur Course: https://centonomy.com/about/the-centonomy-entrepreneur-2/ Connect with Nancie Mwai and New Level New Level Website: https://shopnewlevel.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopnewlevel/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/shopnewlevel?lang=en Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopnewlevel/ New Level Location: Marsabit Plaza, Ngong Road, Lower floor: https://shopnewlevel.com/contact-us/ Nancie Mwai Website: https://nanciemwai.co.ke/ Insta: https://www.instagram.com/nanciemwai/?hl=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/nanciemwai YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA6flImISMUVXNwAOY2RvLA Connect with me (Paula) Email Paula your interest about the podcasting course for women entrepreneurs: [email protected] Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2

This month on the Money Matters episode, we are talking about what happens when you actively work on your personal finance and financial literacy. For the last 8 month, host Paula Rogo, has been doing just that and she’ll be sharing some lessons and insights from her experiences. Fill out the podcast survey: https://forms.gle/T4368EFxqMrDhJND7   In this episode, she also talk about: Overcoming money blocks Increasing her income streams Her favorite money podcasts and instagram pages The (almost) book of the month Starting the 100k challenge And more   As mentioned in this episode: This season’s Money Matters episodes Episode #10: Money Matters: 7 Signs That You Don’t Know How To Handle Your Own Money Episode#16: Money Matters: Why Don’t Women Talk About Money With Each Other? Episode #20: Money Matters with Danielle Anderson: “We Are Worthy Of Being Wealthy” My “Podcast From Scratch” course, an 8-week podcasting course for women https://bit.ly/podstfromscratch My favorite money podcasts So Money podcast with Farnoosh Torabi Women & money podcast with Suze Orman Bigger Pockets Money podcast The Dave Ramsey Show Afford Anything podcast with Paula Pant Snacks Daily by Robinhood My favorite money Instagram accounts @Clevergirlfinance @Delyannethemoneycoach @Citygirlsavings @theBudgetnista @budgetqueen_blog Fill out the podcast survey: https://forms.gle/T4368EFxqMrDhJN Connect with me (Paula) Email Paula : [email protected] Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2

This week, Paula speaks with Tahira Nizari, the co-founder of Kazi Yetu. Meaning "our work" in Kiswahili, Kazi Yet is a social enterprise agribusiness that aims to keep all of the value chain processes of locally-grown products in Tanzania. Kazi Yetu’s first product is the Tanzania Tea Collective, a blend of teas grown, harvested, flavored, packaged and branded in Tanzania. This is not an easy feat when majority of the tea grown in Tanzania leaves the country soon after it has been harvested.   In this episode, we also talk about: How Tahira started brewing tea from her kitchen Why consumers care about tracing the source of their products Why keeping value chain in-country is important How she is planning to work with 4000 farmers through her farm hub initiative Surviving what was meant to be the best year yet (Hello Covid) Starting business with your spouse The importance of optimism As mentioned in this episode: Forbes Africa article: https://www.forbesafrica.com/entrepreneurs/2020/08/06/enterprise-and-traceable-tea-from-tanzania/ Recommend an African women entrepreneur for the podcast: https://forms.gle/ebabBfz4WCMkHP4y9 Fill out the podcast survey: https://forms.gle/T4368EFxqMrDhJND7   Connect with Tahira and Kazi Yetu Instagram: @tanzania_tea_collection Twitter: @TanzaniaTea Facebook: @kaziyetu.tz Insta: @tahira_nizmann Twitter: @t_nizari

What does it look like when you are just starting your business? It’s rare to hear women still early in the process of entrepreneurship share their wins and challenges. That’s why this week, I’m excited to speak with Susan Njoroge of Sip Trip, a drinks-delivery service here in Nairobi, Kenya. I talked to Susan just weeks into starting Sip Trip, which she launched right in the middle of the stay-at-home quarantine in Kenya. But as you’ll see in this interview, Sip Trip was also the result of an extremely agile pivot by Susan and her family. In this episode, we also talk about: Keeping things simple How leaning on family helped Susan launch Why she chose to launch without a business plan The art of the cold call How she sees competition Order your next alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from Sip Trip: https://www.siptripke.com/ As mentioned in this episode: KTN morning show LIFE & STYLE https://www.instagram.com/ktnlife_style/ Friday Foreplay on Asylum radio: https://www.instagram.com/fridayforeplay/ Jiweke Tavern https://www.instagram.com/jiweketavern/ Bourbon Bridge Lounger https://www.instagram.com/bourbonbridge.ke/   Connect with Susan and Sip Trip Website: https://www.siptripke.com/ Call directly: +254728333985 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/siptripke/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sip-Trip-Ke-100654608262910 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sura_common/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuraCommon Connect with me (Paula) Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2

This week, Paula is celebrating her birthday! She is keeping this episode short and sweet so she can enjoy some much deserved time off. But that doesn’t mean she won’t leave you with a little something to take away with you. Want to send Paula well wishes? You can connect with her on the following platforms: Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2 This podcast episode was produced by Kali Media

This week on the podcast, Paula interviews Lulu Kitololo, a graphic artist and designer who runs the Nairobi-based Lulu Kitololo Studio. The studio designs stationery/lifestyle products, murals, branding and publications that showcase Lulu’s unique hand-drawn illustrative style. Plus her Afri-Love brand includes a blog, a twice-annual festival and the Afri-Love women community. It is in building this community for African women who are creative that Lulu has been able to connect and serve her target audience in intimate ways — all of which benefit her business. Lulu offers smart and insightful advice on building a community that works for you and your business. This is a two-part interview as Paula first spoke to Lulu in September 2019 then again a year later in September 2020. In this episode, we also talk about: How Lulu created the Afri-Love women community and tips you can use Learning to show up authentically Being discerning about what works for your business How to be creative and sustainable How Lulu Kitololo Studio has been able to thrive during Covid-19 And more *** As mentioned in this episode: International Podcast Day: https://pods4africans.substack.com/p/here-are-all-the-african-events-happening Lulu Kitololo Studio: http://www.lulukitololo.com/ Afri-love Fest: http://www.afri-love.com/fest/ Afri-love women community: http://www.afri-love.com/about/women/ Soulful branding Course: http://www.afri-love.com/soulful-branding-challenge/ Join the “Free to Create” membership site waitlist: http://bit.ly/getfreetocreate “Check In With Your Purpose” freebie: http://bit.ly/checkinwithyourpurpose   Connect with Lulu Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lulukitololo/ website: www.lulukitololo.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/afrilovewomen   Connect with me (Paula) Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2   This podcast episode was produced by Kali Media

This month on the Money Matters episode: we are talking about the importance of your Money Mindset. I am joined by business coach, Danielle Anderson of the Nairobi-based Step & Stone — a company that show you how to make a living doing what you love. A former JP Morgan employee in London, Danielle found a home and work that she loved when she moved to Kenya three years ago. Her recent reflections on her own money goals and mindset, plus her background in business coaching, makes her the perfect guest for this episode. In this episode, we also talk about: What you need to know before you leave your 9 to 5 Why she moved to Kenya and how she started her business as an expat Why your money mindset matters The evolution of her money mindset Being aware of inherited or limiting money beliefs Tips on renegotiating your salary and increasing your prices Actionable steps around rebooting your money mindset As mentioned in this episode: Join Danielle for her workshop: From the Ground Up: A Live Workshop for Business Owners to Get More Customers
Sign up: https://stepandstone.co.uk/from-the-ground-up-workshop/ Webinar replay: The Five Most Common Pitfalls That Are Preventing You From Launching You Podcast (plus strategies on how to overcome them).
Watch it: https://bit.ly/podsnbowebinar 
Upcoming course: Podcast From Scratch, an 8-week podcasting course for women. 
Join us: https://bit.ly/podstfromscratch Step & Stone: https://stepandstone.co.uk/ Afrilove connection club: http://www.afri-love.com/2019/01/afri-love-connection-club/ Danielle’s Money Matters program: https://stepandstone.co.uk/money-matters Lulu Kitololo: http://www.lulukitololo.com/ Olivia Munoru: https://www.mominbalance.com/kenya/en/trainers/olivia-munoru_598/ How Inflation Impacts Your Savings: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/investing/090715/how-inflation-affects-your-cash-savings.asp The role of interest rates in consumer debt: https://www.thebalance.com/how-your-interest-rate-affects-your-debt-payoff-960843#:~:text=Interest%20rates%20are%20a%20big,you're%20repaying%20your%20debt.&text=The%20higher%20your%20interest%20rate,goes%20toward%20the%20finance%20charge. FREE pricing calculator: https://stepandstone.co.uk/calculator Book of the Month: 
Clever Girl Finance: Ditch debt, save money and build real wealth by Bola Sokunbi
https://www.amazon.com/Clever-Girl-Finance-Ditch-wealth/dp/1119580838  Connect with Danielle Step & Stone: https://stepandstone.co.uk/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_stepandsone/
 Twitter: https://twitter.com/stepandstone 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stepandstone/
 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielleandersonstepandstone/ Connect with me (Paula) Email: [email protected] Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2

This week, Paula shares her podcasting journey thus far — hoping to inspire future podcasters that they can do it too! “I am constantly approached with questions about how I started my podcast and the mechanics behind it. This episode is for those of you who want to do it, but have doubt. There is something quite entrepreneurial about starting your podcast. Hopefully, my story helps.” In this episode, we also talk about: The importance of feedback/criticism The people that helped her along the way The setbacks that she had to overcome Why she relaunched the podcast Lessons from the experience Paula is teaching a free webinar: The Five Most Common Pitfalls Preventing You From Launching Your Podcast (plus strategies on how to overcome them)
 Sign up for the webinar here: https://podcastfromscratch.groovepages.com/home/webinar *** As mentioned in this episode: Kali Media: http://kali.media/ Africa Podfest: https://www.africapodcastfestival.com/ Halima Gikandi: https://www.halimagikandi.com/ AQ Studios: https://www.aqstudios.fm/ Mojo Productions: https://www.mojokenyaproductions.com/ Jopee The Chef (composer): https://www.instagram.com/jopeebeat/ Debra Cartwright (illustrator): https://www.debracartwright.com/   Connect with me (Paula) Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2   This podcast episode was produced by Kali Media

In the new episode, Social media strategist Olivia Ambani breaks down the ups and downs of building your brand on social media. She answers all your questions about using it efficiently-- and how to grow it. Olivia has worked behind the social media strategies of some Kenya’s favorite brands, but she has also taken herself on as a client! She recently released her debut solo album, “The Awakening” and she takes us through the social media strategy she used on herself that eventually had her being retweeted and shared by Mr Eazi (Yes, there was a plan!) In this episode, we also talk about: Common misconceptions about social media Overcoming fear of putting yourself out there How to build fool-proof consistency into your social Common mistakes she sees And many tips that you can implement TODAY!  *The song played in this episode is Olivia Ambani’s “Better Than Just Fine” with permission.* As mentioned in this episode: Upcoming Webinar: The Five Most Common Pitfalls That Are Preventing You From Launching You Podcast (plus strategies on how to overcome them) Sign up here: https://podcastfromscratch.groovepages.com/home/webinar Bella Nakato is offering 3 budding beauty and hair entrepreneurs a 30-minute consultation call to ask her anything. The rules: Follow @EnviriZaNacho AND @africawomeninbiz on Instagram (must follow both) DM @africanwomeninbiz one thing you learned from the interview. EXTENDED Deadline Monday, Sept 14, 2020 Brands Olivia has worked with Kikoromeo (Anne McCreath) The Nest +HEVA Fund Harvest of Sunshine Embody Accessories Coffee Casa Brands Olivia admires Janet Mbugua: https://www.instagram.com/officialjanetmbugua/ Dine with Jemutai: https://www.instagram.com/dinewithjemutai/ Olivia’s music The Awakening (album): https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/oliviaambani/the-awakening Better Than Just Fine (Official Video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcQSM4srl6c  Mr Eazi’s Empawa Africa:https://empawaafrica.com/ Connect with Olivia Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olivia_ambani/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviaambani Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OliviaAmbaniMusic/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/oliviaambani LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-ambani/ Connect with me (Paula) Email Paula your interest about the podcasting course for women entrepreneurs: [email protected] Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2 This podcast episode was produced by Kali Media

This week on the podcast, Paula interviews Bella Nakato, the guru behind Uganda’s natural hair revolution. She has achieved this through her Kampala-based hair salon and store, EnviriZaNacho, and her beauty line, AfriLux Beauty. Paula first interviewed Bella in 2019 during a work trip to Uganda, and recently called the beauty entrepreneur again to discuss how EnviriZaNacho has managed during Covid-19.  This a raw and honest episode that many businesswomen across the continent will connect with as we all figure out how to survive Covid-19. In this episode, we also talk about: How a Facebook group grew into a shop, salon and beauty brand The importance of word of mouth in the Ugandan market The financial power of the natural hair industry How to build a team you are proud of What happened when the Covid-19 lockdown hit Kampala Plus, an invaluable giveaway for budding beauty entrepreneurs Envirizanacho shop and salon is found on the ground floor of Kisakye mall in Ntinda. 
Phone contact is +256-751788112 *** As mentioned in this episode: Bella is offering 3 budding beauty and hair entrepreneurs a 30-minute consultation call to ask her anything. The rules: Follow @EnviriZaNacho AND @africawomeninbiz on Instagram (must follow both) DM @africanwomeninbiz one thing you learned from the interview. Deadline Monday, Sept 7, 2020 @ 9:30 AM Bella’s Recommended beauty products: Magical Organics (Uganda): https://www.instagram.com/magical_organics/ Livara Beauty (Uganda): https://livara.me/ Kentaro Handmade Organics (Uganda): https://www.instagram.com/kentarohandmadeorganics/?hl=en Afriliux Beauty and Grooming: https://www.facebook.com/AfriluxBeauty/ Fleur de Vanille (Madagascar): https://www.facebook.com/Fleur-de-Vanille-449678422539689/ Saru Organics (Kenya): https://saruorganics.com/ Kweli Skin Organics (Uganda): http://www.kweliskinorganics.com/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2 Connect with Bella (Personal) Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bella_nakato/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/BellaNakato Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nakato.a.bella/ Business:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/envirizanacho/ https://www.instagram.com/envirizanacho_shopsalon/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Envirizanacho Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/envirizanacho Connect with me (Paula) Twitter https://twitter.com/kalibawse Instagram https://www.instagram.com/kalibawse/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing instagram https://www.instagram.com/africanwomeninbiz/ I Have No Idea What I’m Doing Facebook group (highly recommended) https://bit.ly/3dXScJ2 This podcast episode was produced by Kali Media