‘Run the race and run for the prize,’ – Dr. Esther Muchemi, CEO, Samchi Group

What does it take to be a successful entrepreneur in a fast evolving world? Is it passion, determination, resilience or sheer luck?  What’s the end goal of entrepreneurship? Is it riches, wealth, legacy, influence or power? Well, for Dr. Esther Muchemi, it takes more than passion and grit to emerge among the most impactful entrepreneurs. For her, the end goal is simple; she wants to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.

What does Samchi Digital bring to the table?
It’s a vehicle that allows us to tap into the digital marketing and content creation space. I feel that data is very important to the youth, and technology is availing us new methods of marketing our products and services efficiently  and affordably, compared to traditional advertising that’s quickly getting out of reach for the young businesses. I want to tell people that social media is a very powerful tool that can be utilised for a positive impact. Most young people use social media to abuse each other or to pull others down. Why can’t they harness it to market their businesses? Samchi Digital helps them do that.
We are also passionate about transformative content. Content that inspires. We are doing video and music production, advertising ,social media marketing and management, and production of documentaries and infomercials. We identify new talent and nurture it. We have partnered with Vuma Festival to make this happen.

Why are you passionate about inspiring the youth?
As an entrepreneur, I want to share my journey. My business needs to outgrow me. As such, I need to equip the next generation of business leaders. We need to create institutions that outlive us.  Every entrepreneur needs to think about this from the first day.
I’m sharing my journey with the youth because I want them to start earlier than I did. When you start earlier, you’ll be at an advantaged position and you will do much more than I’ve achieved.
At the same time, I want to tell the young people that there are entrepreneurs who have done it the right way, who have walked an honest journey to the top. Against a background of corruption, I want to show them that there’s hope.
There are many successful entrepreneurs who do not come out to share their remarkable stories. I want to appear and to be seen as a tower of hope.
Thirdly, I want to share my lessons because there’s probably one person who needs that knowledge. It motivates me everyday.

Have you ever launched a business that failed?
Yes. Samchi Electronics died a natural death simply because it didn’t add value to my businesses. I also tried my hand in stationery, but this business didn’t allow me to live my values.
The other failed venture was a shylock business. It was conflicting with my faith so I dissolved it.

What are business lessons that you’ve learned over the years?
Business is not for the faint hearted. You don’t have an option but to be resilient. There will be trials and tribulations, but you’ll need to encourage yourself.
You also need resilience because the end is sweeter than the beginning. If you consistently hang on, you will enjoy the fruits of your work.
Patience; young people are impatient. In my journey, I didn’t launch any new business in the first ten years, simply because I didn’t have funds for that. I focused on one business, patiently building it. After ten years, we got the structure right and diversified.
There’s a process behind every success. All successful people go through a process that moulds them. You can’t achieve much in one year, but you can build success cumulatively.

What are the key take aways from your book, Give Me My Mountain?
First, I’ve learned that everyone was created with a purpose. It’s only when you discover your purpose that you ascend to the top.
I started as an auditor. Today, I’m not an auditor because I discovered my true purpose.
The way we were brought up shaped our destinies. I grew up when young people were told to become doctors and lawyers and auditors. I’ve come to realize that we waste so much time pursuing things that are not us.
We can only excel in what we are passionate about. You must do something that motivates you to wake up every day and to do it all over again.
Sacrifice is part of the journey, not just at the end but also at the beginning.
Business is not just about you. It reaches a point where you need to impact people at any level. To be successful, you must have the desire to help people.
Money is good but it shouldn’t be your motivating factor in your life.
While riches are defined by money, wealth completes the human being. When you’re wealthy, you’re socially, spiritually and financially satisfied.

Any challenges that you faced?
Firstly, getting the right people is a challenge. You need people who understand your vision and mission. One thing I look for in people is attitude. With the right one, you can be anything that you want to.
Marketing; you need great marketing skills. In business, good people compete but great people dominate. In our journey, we want to be the very best in whatever we do.

As an entrepreneur, what gives you the greatest fulfilment?
I’m happy when I inspire people through my talks, my book, or social media. It gives me a lot of satisfaction. I want to be known as a person who transformed lives.