I left my job at Solar Aid, where I worked for six years in different roles until lastly as Finance Manager. Before, I did voluntary work at Ungweru. I cherish working with father John Ryan. I developed social interests this time. So, I thought to set up a business that would directly help people. I then found myself at Solar Aid, a social enterprise. My enthusiasm in social entrepreneurship grew during this time. I was able to develop business ideas, register a business, but I had no time, nor capital and no experience. I was occupied with my core work. So my ideas never worked. Yes, I tried times, I failed. In 2016, I attended an entrepreneurship training, a Flame Tree Initiative program. I was thrilled. I was confident I attended a training in social entrepreneurship. The fact that it was in partnership with Mzuzu University made it stronger. It was captivating due to the detail in material, emphasizing from an idea, registering a business to managing a business organization and network working. Since DELab 2016, my network has continuously grown with helpful individuals. I will forever remain indebted to Flame Tree Initiative. This was my turning point! Sadly, over all this time I was not able to execute my ideas. Fear, and luck of plan failed me. I did not find a reason to risk in diversifying my income and time in my own idea. I was afraid of investing my little money and not making returns or failing. My core job was involving that I did not want to compromise. I was working like a perfectionist. I was afraid. Despite the fear, I had strong intuition to continue trying. So, I kept on working on small things. I attended more training, forums, and pitched my ideas. The more I did so, the more my idea was kept alive and faith grew. I learnt that one day I will have to invest myself in it, quit my job to make it. Though I did small things, I could see a corporate person serving clients. I started working on quitting my job. This was a very hard decision, thinking about what if it doesn’t work, you know. I trusted my hands. I planned to engage myself in anything for survival. I was training myself in survival skills. I had done research and planning about what kind of jobs I was going to do, like teaching, taxi driving, vending, hawking.
I was able to overcome fear leave a lucrative job to work for myself. I knew if I were to settle for my own work, I had to take this step. And, I had to test my strength of survival. Thinking about, ‘what if my employer fired me, instead?’, ‘what if my employer closed off, unexpectedly?’ My response to such questions gave me a clue. Similarly, if you are not equipped yet, sort that mess out. You know, you can’t be that unsafe. It’s like waiting for Jesus, who knows, it could be at the least expected time. Having conquered fear, I had to be willing to survive, be healthy and fit for the hard toil. I had cut down on unhealthy habits. I knew, to survive I ought to be healthy and fit to continue the process because one day's sickness could ruin it all. The most important aspect to keep a dream alive is to know what to do, and continuously pursuing it. I met rejection, stumbling blocks. I understood, there are such turbulent negative forces like gravity. I had put more power like a helicopter to fly. I recalled the saying, the sky is never a limit but it presents a wider open space for flying. I also realized the need to let go of some friends, colleagues, and family. People discouraged me with negative talk. They put doubts to me, but I knew somebody’s mind is not everyone’s mindset base. We are unique individuals facing unique opportunities and challenges. So, I heard more, but I chose who to listen to. My clue was, it is better I try and fail, than never at all. So, I joined the encouragement club, the Flame Tree Initiative alumni. My friends, colleague and family are here to testify to my resilience and hard work.
As for me, I overcome fear and looked forward. I work flexibly with more impact. I am not a successful entrepreneur, but the fact that I work for myself makes me happier to share my story. I always think if you have a dream, see it in color, work on it and deal with fears. And hey, don’t take your dreams and aspirations to the graveyard, the endpoint of many dreams, inventions and aspirations!