Many successful businessmen in Kenya and across the world have emotional tales to tell about their tough childhood. Some, however, believe it is the hardships that motivate them to become the success they are today.

This is no different for Mombasa tycoon Billionaire Shahbal, who narrated how coming from a poor background made him the laughingstock in school.

In a past post on his Facebook, Shahbal narrated how he couldn’t afford a new school jacket as a Form One student at the Nairobi School. As such, he had to improvise a blazer which he was gifted by one of his friends.

“When I was in Form 1 at Nairobi School, I could not afford a new school jacket. I, therefore, got a second-hand blazer from my fellow student and put a new badge and yellow hand stripes on it.”

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“The next day, I put on my self-made school jacket and stood at the parade, where I was approached by a prefect. He called out my name and started making fun of me,” recalled Shahbal.

The tycoon added that the perfect inquired where he acquired the blazer, despite knowing he couldn’t afford one given his less privileged background.

“I was young, and I felt humiliated as that was his intention. However, I put on a brave face and explained myself,” he added.

Shahbal added that 30 years later, the prefect approached him asking for a job after learning of his multiple businesses. Shahbal did not dwell on the past and was too kind to offer him a job.

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“Fast forward 30 years later, that same prefect came to me asking for a job, and I gave him one. Moral of the story? It is not important where you come from, it is where you are going,” he advised.

Before diverting into entrepreneurship, Shahbal worked in various fields, including the banking sector.

The University of Nairobi Finance graduate worked across several countries, including Yemen and the Gulf countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE),  India, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

He later quit employment to start his own businesses, which include the Gulfcap Group, an investment company in the UAE, and Gulf Energy which was later sold to Rubis in 2019.