The Safaricom Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) extravaganza took place at the Kisumu ASK Show Ground in Mamboleo over the weekend.
The show brought together youth from the entire Lake region and surrounding counties of Kakamega, Kisii, and Uasin Gishu.
Young Kenyans looking to participate in the experience started arriving for the show dubbed Safaricom Twaweza Concert from as early as 8:00 am to a warm reception by the Blaze and Safaricom team.
Interestingly, many got the rare chance to meet and greet successful mentors who were stationed at seven pods representing different business spheres. The pods included Creative Arts, Agriculture, Film & Photography, Technology, Retail & Manufacturing, Music, and Fashion.
At the pods, the youth learned the first steps to engaging in a particular industry or launching a business.
They also had a chance to showcase their talent especially at the popular music and film pods where mentors J. Blessing and Enos Olik conducted mentorship sessions. Additionally, the youth got a chance to win handsome prizes and giveaways.
The afternoon sessions were hosted by the beautiful and multi talented NRG Radio duo of Mwalimu Rachel and Timmy Tdat. Blazers were treated to motivational talks from previous BYOB winners including last season’s overall winner, Brian Rono and various mentors. The mentors shared success secrets in their career journey.
Mentors who shared their stories included Catherine Kamau aka Kate the Actress, who is popularly known as Selina in the legendary Citizen TV Show, Mother-In-Law, and Maisha Magic’s Sue and Johnny. Ms. Kamau stressed on the need for diligence and persistence in the journey to realizing a dream.
Brian Wanyama, the founder of Matwana Matatu Culture, a mentor at the Arts pod shared on the challenges he has gone through in building a business in the tumultuous Matatu industry. Brian makes Matatu graffiti. “Graffiti being a visual product, you get instant feedback on the quality of your work,” he said. “Challenges are sure to come but you must develop GRIT (Greatness Requires Internal Toughness) to succeed.”
DJ Euphoric, whose rea name is Barare Ogeto is a DJ who literally spins on wheels. He is physically challenged. He moved Blazers with his story of overcoming a debilitating disease and pursuing his dream of becoming one of the top DJs in Kenya. Although Euphoric had been born without any disability, he developed a degenerative disease when he was around 16 years. The disease left him paralyzed from the waist down. In his career, Euphoric has gone on to perform at prominent venues in the country, including the State House.
The final act was an entertainment galore featuring Kenya’s finest including: Fena, Timmy Tdat and Khaligraph Jones, aka Mr. Omollo, aka Baba Yao. They had electrifying shows that left Blazers on the edges of their seats.
The show was brought to a close by Tanzanian heartthrob, Harmonize of the WCB Wasafi family. He shared his heart-wrenching story of how he hustled in vain in Dar es Salaam and how GRIT kept him going. Inbhis performance, the close associate of top star Diamond Platnumz did not hold back. He thrilled fans and sent them home singing and believing that, too, their dreams are valid.